Espresso Live: Imagine the 4-Day Work Week

February 28, 2023 | Espresso Live Webinars, Event Recordings

In January 2023, Imagine Canada launched a 6-month pilot project for a 4-day work week. Shifting to a 4-day work week is something that many people have been considering for some time now. The pandemic was difficult on all of us. Lines between personal and professional lives got blurred with everyone working from home.

Different models of 4-day work week schedules have emerged in recent years. Case studies of companies (among other examples, an Iceland experiment was overwhelmingly conclusive) that have adopted this model show that employees working 4 days per week feel happier, more energized, and more productive.

We are joined by two experts from Imagine Canada who will share their experiences so far in this pilot program, and the challenges and opportunities presented by this program.

Hosted by Mishka Balsom, CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

With guests:

  • Tim Richardson, Manager, Standards Program, Imagine Canada
  • Haley MacDonald, Director, Experience and Change, Imagine Canada

Powered by Niagara Economic Development

Download the presentation here:
https://gncc.ca/members/4-day-work-week.pdf

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Daily Update: February 16, 2023

February 16, 2023 | Daily Update

Downward trend in EI recipients continues, Cannabis Store reduces margins to help pot shops compete, Fort Erie approves budget, and more.

In this edition:

Downward trend in EI recipients continues

The number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in December fell by 8,100 (-2.0%) to 398,000, continuing the downward trend in the number of regular EI beneficiaries observed since July 2022.

According to the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the unemployment rate declined 0.1 percentage points to 5.0% in December, just above the record low of 4.9% observed in June and July.

In general, variations in the number of EI beneficiaries can reflect changes in the circumstances of different groups, including those becoming beneficiaries, those going back to work, those exhausting their regular benefits and those no longer receiving benefits for other reasons.

Click here to read more.

Ontario Cannabis Store reduces price margins to help pot shops compete

The Ontario Cannabis Store says it will be reducing its price margins in a bid to help pot retailers compete with the illicit market.

The provincial pot distributor says the pricing changes will be implemented in September and will contribute about $35 million into the marketplace this fiscal year.

The OCS expects the contributions to hit $60 million in the 2024 fiscal year and compound annually in the years thereafter as the legal cannabis market grows.

Click here to read more.

Oppose Canada’s ‘xenophobic’ foreign property tax, U.S. critics urge Biden admin

A New York congressman wants to enlist the U.S. secretary of state to oppose what he calls Ottawa’s “discriminatory” campaign against foreign property owners.

Rep. Brian Higgins is asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken to officially object to Canada’s new federal tax on underused, foreign-owned housing, which is coming due in April.

The one per cent levy applies to certain foreign non-resident owners of Canadian property located in areas with a core population of at least 10,000 people.

Click here to read more.

Perk or necessity? Hybrid work expectations differ between employers, employees

Many companies are transitioning to hybrid work schedules from the work-from-home policies that developed by necessity in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yet how to strike a balance between office life and remote work remains an enduring challenge for many businesses nearly three years after lockdowns upended how many Canadians work — one that’s made more difficult by the differing expectations between employers and employees.

Some organizations offer workers the freedom to choose which days they go into the office.

Others have a set number of office days, with attendance varying from informal guidelines to rigid mandates.

“Everyone is trying to find that happy medium or that hybrid work sweet spot to make this really work,” said Maria Pallas, director of strategy and optimization for Lauft, a network of on-demand workspaces.

“But everyone’s not always on the same page.”

Click here to read more.

Government releases blueprint for Canada Innovation Corporation

Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, released a blueprint that will guide the operations of the new Canada Innovation Corporation (CIC).

In creating the CIC, the government is following through on its Budget 2022 commitment to establish an innovation agency to drive Canadian business investment in research and development (R&D) and foster economic growth. The CIC will operate with an initial budget of $2.6 billion over four years, and is expected to begin its operations in 2023.

Click here to read more.

Food Processing Skills Canada launches national workforce program

Food Processing Skills Canada – the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry’s non-profit workforce development organization – announced a new program, Achieving Our Workforce Destination: Qualified People, Successful Careers & Competitive Business.

Food Processing Skills Canada received an investment of $7.7 million for this project from the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workplace Solutions Program (SWSP) which is a program that helps sectors of the economy implement solutions to address their current and emerging workforce needs.

Click here to read more.

Fort Erie Town Council approves 2023 budget

Fort Erie Town Council approved in principle the 2023 budget with an increase of 0.88 percent for the Town’s portion of the residential property tax. For the median household, this increase translates to an additional $12 per year.

When the Niagara Region and the Boards of Education levies are included, the combined increase for residential taxpayers in Fort Erie is 6.9 percent.

“Strategic financial planning is extremely important as we continue navigating past the pandemic. We are preparing for the next 10 years and beyond to ensure that future generations are not left carrying a tax burden properly payable by current property owners. This budget represents Council’s and staff’s continued commitment to the services that our residents need, the long term sustainability of our infrastructure and addressing the challenges of a growing community, while appreciating the affordability concerns of our residents. Responsible financial planning has given us a strong foundation and the ability to be flexible with our future needs, projects and initiatives,” said Mayor Wayne Redekop.

Click here to read more (PDF link).

Focus on Markets

Dow sheds 350 points as stocks turn lower after another hot inflation report

Stocks fell Thursday after another hot inflation report, and a decline in jobless claims, showed the economy is holding up amid the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 353 points, or about 1%. The S&P 500 dipped 1.09% and the Nasdaq-Composite fell 1.48%. Microsoft and Disney contributed the most to the Dow’s decline, down more than 2% each.

January’s producer price index, another inflation measure, rose 0.7% on the month while economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected a 0.4% increase. Initial jobless claims unexpectedly fell for the week ending February 11, per a Labor Department report.

Click here to read more.

Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.

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Daily Update: February 13, 2023

February 13, 2023 | Daily Update

In this edition:

One in four Canadians unable to meet unexpected $500 expense: Statistics Canada

In a new Statistics Canada study released today, when asked whether their household had the resources to cover an unexpected expense of $500, 26% said that they would be unable to do so, with a slightly larger percentage of women (29%) reporting this difficulty than men (24%). Further, while the vast majority of Canadians were concerned with rising gasoline and food prices, almost half (44%) said they were very concerned with their household’s ability to afford housing or rent.

Young adults were among those most concerned over finances. Almost half (46%) of people aged 35 to 44 years found it difficult to meet their financial needs in the previous 12 months, the highest proportion of any other age group. Those aged 45 to 54 years (41%) had the next highest proportion, and people aged 65 years and older (25%) were the least likely to report difficulty.

Click here to read more.

Residential construction continues to decline

Investment in residential building construction was down 2.1% to $14.6 billion in December.

Investment in the construction of single-family homes continued to decline for the fifth consecutive month, down 0.5% to $7.8 billion. Alberta (-3.6%) played the largest role in the decline.

Investment in overall building construction decreased 1.3% to $20.2 billion in December. The residential sector declined 2.1% to $14.6 billion, while the non-residential sector was up 0.8% to $5.6 billion.

Click here to read more.

Government of Canada issues call for proposals to digitize supply chains

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced the launch of a new call for proposals, under the National Trade Corridors Fund, which is called Advancing Supply Chain Digitalization. Transport Canada will commit up to $50 million to support eligible projects.

Under the new call, Transport Canada is seeking industry-led projects that strengthen Canada’s digital infrastructure. Projects supported will:

  • increase the efficiency and reliability of our transportation supply chains;
  • relieve bottlenecks;
  • ensure Canadians have access to all the affordable products and goods that they need; and
  • help develop digital solutions and optimize Canada’s supply chains.

Applicants are invited to submit a Streamlined Project Proposal to Transport Canada by April 11, 2023, at 17:00 Eastern Standard Time, through the National Trade Corridors Fund online application portal.

Click here to read more.

Government of Canada announces renewed funding for Global Innovation Clusters

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced that each cluster will receive renewed support to expand its national presence and deepen its impact at home and abroad.

The clusters have adopted the following common missions: expanding their global presence, collaborating among the clusters to deepen their impact, fighting climate change, building more resilient supply chains, and supporting the growth and scale-up of Canadian companies. The clusters will also aim to increase industry co-investment by raising their industry match ratio, which will result in further positive impact on job creation and GDP.

Click here to read more.

Canada to reduce work experience requirements for caregivers and provide pathways to permanent residence

On behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, members of Parliament Salma Zahid and Rechie Valdez today announced that the amount of work experience in Canada required for a caregiver to qualify for permanent residence is being reduced from 24 months to 12 months. In addition, some spaces under the existing caregiver pathways have been reserved for caregivers who already have work experience in Canada from a previous work permit so that they are able to apply for permanent residence. The change will be effective as of April 30, 2023, and will be retrospective for caregivers who have already applied.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Small Business

Hold Your Team Accountable with Compassion, Not Fear

Your team has a lot to accomplish, so you can’t afford to have anyone on board who consistently lets their colleagues down. You need individuals who understand their responsibilities and feel obligated to deliver — a team full of people who feel accountable. But building an accountable team is easier said than done.

You can’t make someone else accountable; accountability is a feeling. Sure, you could use incentives or bonuses to try to coerce them into caring. Or you could use threats, penalties, or the stink eye to make it more likely they’ll feel responsible (you certainly wouldn’t be the only one to try). Unfortunately, our typical language and metaphors for accountability evoke this kind of punitive approach. We talk about people being “on the hook,” as if employees were fish reeled in with no escape. If that isn’t evocative enough, I hear leaders talk about having “one throat to choke.” This is the language of fear, not accountability.

Click here to read more.

Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.

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Daily Update: February 9, 2023

February 9, 2023 | Daily Update

A diverse workplace is better for people and profit, close to half of Canadians very concerned about ability to meet daily expenses, and more.

In this edition:

Welland City Council approved the 2023 municipal budgets

Welland City Council approved the 2023 municipal budgets on February 7 at their regularly scheduled meeting, bringing forward a budget with a -3.05 per cent tax decrease on the municipal tax levy.

The 2023 operating budgets total just over $107 million. The budgets are comprised of the tax- supported operating budget of $71.4 million, the rate-supported operating budget for water and wastewater of $35.6 million, and the combined capital budgets of $42.8 million.

The 2023 tax-supported operating budget presents a -3.05 per cent tax decrease (municipal portion) after assessment growth of 2.74 per cent and includes over $31.1 million in capital projects this year.

“After a thorough and comprehensive budget review process, the City has passed its 2023 budgets in the best interest of the Welland resident,” said Steven Fairweather, director of finance and CFO. “The 2023 budget reflects a commitment to infrastructure, community services and preparing for the growth the city will welcome in the coming years.”

Click here for more details.

Canopy Growth closing Smiths Falls HQ, laying off 800 workers

Canopy Growth Corp. will lay off 800 workers as part of a transformation plan that will see the company close its hallmark 1 Hershey facility and consolidate some of its cultivation operations.

The Smiths Falls, Ont. cannabis company said today that the layoff will impact 35 per cent of its workforce and take place over the next several months.

The move is meant to help the company reach profitability and enable sustainable and long-term growth, said David Klein, Canopy Growth’s chief executive.

Canopy also reported its net loss amounted to $266.7 million or 54 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31. The result compared with a net loss of $115.5 million or 28 cents per diluted share in the same quarter a year earlier.

Click here for more details.

Indigo stores and website hit by ‘cybersecurity incident’

Indigo Books & Music Inc. says it is dealing with what it calls a “cybersecurity incident” that has affected customer orders in-store and online.

The incident at the Toronto-based retailer started on Wednesday. As of this morning, Indigo’s website was still offline.

Canadian retailers have increasingly experienced cyberattacks in recent months. Sobeys parent company Empire Co. Ltd. recently grappled with a security breach that shut down its pharmacy services and other in-store functions. Empire said in December the incident is expected to cost $25 million after insurance recoveries.

Click here for more details.

Black Entrepreneurship Program is helping Black-owned businesses

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, highlighted the achievement of important milestones for the Black Entrepreneurship Program.

Speaking at a Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub event as part of Black History Month celebrations, the Minister noted that, since its launch in 2021, the program has helped more than 5,000 Black business owners and entrepreneurs get mentorship, business training and financing to help their businesses grow and succeed, now and into the future.

The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund has provided financial support to hundreds of Black-owned businesses through loans totalling more than $30 million.

Click here for more details.

Applications now open for community gardens funding 

The City of St. Catharines is once again supporting community groups looking to establish new community gardens, and/or improving existing ones.

Applications for the annual program are now open, providing the opportunity for incorporated charities and not-for-profit groups to apply to receive matching funds from the City for up to half of eligible start-up costs, including lumber, soil, seeds, rain barrels and other materials and equipment.

The application process includes a requirement to identify sources of projected funding, a proposed budget, and a proposed workplan that details the work that will need to be undertaken, and the timeline for those efforts.

Click here for more details.

Focus on Real Estate

The tax on underused home ownership affects more people than expected

Tim Chestnick, The Globe and Mail

The Unused Housing Tax (UHT), which came into effect on January 1, 2022, was originally billed by the government as a tax on foreign investors in residential real estate in Canada but may also apply to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

It is a 1 per cent tax levied on December 31st each year on the value of homes that are vacant or deemed under-used. But if you look closely at the rules, you’ll find that more people and organizations are required to report than you might expect.

Click here to read more.

Majority of Canadians determined to own a home despite affordability challenges: Survey

Iva Poshnjari, BNN Bloomberg

Many Canadians remain undeterred from buying a home despite the soaring costs of entering the market, a survey from NerdWallet showed.

Owning a home is a priority for two-thirds of Canadians (67 per cent) and almost half (43 per cent) of all respondents stated they are looking to buy a property within the next five years.

Despite the optimism, Canadians face a number of barriers such as a rising interest rate environment and high home prices, the report said.

Click here to read more.

Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.

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Daily Update: February 7, 2023

February 7, 2023 | Daily Update

FAO: Ontario economic growth expected to slow sharply in 2023, business confidence hits record low: Ontario Chamber report, and more.

In this edition:

FAO: Ontario economic growth expected to slow sharply in 2023

Ontario’s economy rebounded rapidly from the pandemic, with real GDP rising strongly by 5.2 per cent in 2021 and an estimated 3.7 per cent in 2022, a new report from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) has revealed today. However, facing elevated inflation, high interest rates and a weaker global environment, Ontario’s economic growth is projected to slow sharply to 0.5 per cent in 2023, and then return to close to historical averages over the rest of the outlook.

The FAO has also projected a budget deficit of $2.5 billion in 2022-23, significantly smaller than the government’s deficit projection of $12.9 billion in the FES. This $10.4 billion difference results mainly from the FAO’s lower spending projection, combined with a modestly higher revenue projection in that year.

Click here to read more.

Business confidence hits record low: Ontario Chamber report

Business confidence has dropped to a new low according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) seventh annual Ontario Economic Report (OER).

“Ontario business confidence has dropped to a record low in 2023. Labour shortages, inflation, health care system vulnerabilities, and forecasts of an economic contraction are dampening confidence in the province’s economic outlook,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, OCC. “Only 16 percent of organizations surveyed have confidence in the economy. This is down 29 percent from last year. Promisingly, most businesses feel confident they can withstand these headwinds and continue to grow in the year ahead.”

Click here to read more.

Canadian trade deficit narrowed in December

In December, Canada’s merchandise exports decreased 1.2%, mostly on lower exports of energy products. Meanwhile, imports were down 1.3%, mainly driven by lower imports of consumer goods. As a result, Canada’s merchandise trade deficit with the world narrowed from $219 million in November to $160 million in December. These narrow trade balances are within the typical bounds for monthly revisions to imports and exports.

Click here to read more.

St. Catharines issues call for farmers market vendors

The City is calling on new farmers and producers to apply for a space at the 2023 St. Catharines Farmers Market.

Each spring the market expands to include outdoor spaces from May to October welcoming back farmers for the main harvest season. In addition to more market vendors, the outdoor market also features local musicians, community engagement, and an interactive Discovery Table with free and fun experiences for all ages.

Farmers Market vendors and producers can apply for a market stall at stcatharines.ca/VendorApplication anytime before Mar. 4 to receive priority screening.

Further details on the market, including a list of existing vendors, rules and regulations, selection criteria and market stall rental rates can be found online at stcatharines.ca/FarmersMarket.

Government of Canada to provide $46.2 billion in new healthcare funding

Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and his provincial and territorial counterparts met to work together on improving Canada’s health care system. Prime Minister Trudeau and premiers discussed shared health priorities to deliver real results for Canadians as well as the importance to uphold the Canada Health Act to protect Canada’s publicly funded health care system. Canadians must have equitable access to medical care based on their needs, not their ability to pay, said the Prime Minister’s office in a media release.

At the working meeting with premiers, the federal government announced it will increase health funding to provinces and territories by $196.1 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding.

Click here to read more.

Niagara College staff and faculty win awards for excellence

When it comes to making education more inclusive and supporting the community, Niagara College is earning recognition for leading the way.

On February 6, NC staff and faculty members won two Awards of Excellence from the Minister of Colleges and Universities. A team of staff behind the College’s open-source, digital Accessibility Hub, was presented with an award in the Equality of Opportunity category for creating opportunities for marginalized or underrepresented groups. Also honoured was Chef Professor Olaf Mertens, who was presented with an Everyday Heroes award for stepping up and making a difference through his leadership of NC’s Feed the Community initiative.

Click here to read more.

Featured Content

Job Title Inflation

Kim Jong-un — the North Korean dictator — is not normally seen as a trendsetter; however, he clearly leads the pack in job title inflation. The BBC reports that the 37 year old has more than 1,214 different titles; titles such as President of North Korea, Chairman — State of Affairs, General Secretary of State, Executive Policy Council Chair, External General Secretary, Politburo Chief, General Secretary of State, State of Affairs Commissioner, Guardian Deity of the Planet… and the list goes on and on and on.

We are all very cognizant of economic inflation. As a matter of fact we talk and worry about it every day but, one thing we don’t realize is when it comes to job titles we live in an age of rampant inflation. It seems to me that a number of people I meet are a chief or a president in some variety. Title inflation has been producing its vocabulary for years with an abundance of “up-titling” and “title-fluffing” while producing a technological molecule. As one of my clients said to me, “there’s a simple formula; just take your current job title — mix in a few grand words such as global, international, interface, and customer and wala — you have new title. Some of the best titles I’ve heard are: Social Media Ninja, Chief Know It All, Chief Happiness Officer and Chief Scrum Master.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Finance & Economy

Retail investors taking risk off table amid move into high-quality stocks: TMX CEO

The head of Canada’s largest stock exchange operator says he’s seeing a change in sentiment among retail investors as they take risk off the table and shift their focus to higher-quality stocks.

“What we tend to see is that trading activity, both retail and institutional in general in an uncertain market, you’ll see what I call a flight to quality in terms of more investment in higher-quality, higher-value names with more predictable earnings streams and dividend appreciation,” John McKenzie, chief executive officer of TMX Group (X.TO), told Yahoo Finance Canada in an interview.

Click here to read more.

Consumer and business bankruptcies soar following an end to government aid

The number of insolvencies filed by Canadian businesses in 2022 surged by 37.2 per cent compared with 2021, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.

There were 3,402 business insolvencies last year, up from 2,480 in 2021 according to the federal regulator. In Ontario alone, insolvencies filed by businesses was up 47.8 per cent last year compared with the year before.

Insolvencies, the inability to pay down debt, include both proposals — a formal agreement with creditors on the terms of debt repayment — and bankruptcies — when assets are surrendered in exchanged for the elimination of debts.
Click here to read more.

Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.

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Daily Update: February 3, 2023

February 3, 2023 | Daily Update

In this edition:

Ontario releases first-ever emergency plan

Today, the Ontario government released its first-ever Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan, helping to ensure Ontarians are prepared for and safe during future emergencies like cyber security threats, pandemics or natural disasters.

The plan, the first of its kind in Canada, sets a foundation for emergency management in Ontario and builds on lessons learned from past emergencies including the COVID-19 pandemic, which represented the single largest provincial emergency in decades.

Developed in partnership with emergency management partners, including municipalities, First Nations partners and provincial ministries, the plan highlights key actions the province is taking to keep Ontario in a state of constant readiness and preparedness. It also outlines initiatives to augment and support municipal and First Nations emergency strategies.

Click here to read more.

One in five Ontario property owners are investors: Statistics Canada

The article “Residential real estate investors and investment properties in 2020,” released today, is the first of a series on real estate investors, published in Housing Statistics in Canada. With this article, the Canadian Housing Statistics Program is publishing data on the profile of investors in the real estate market and the residential properties they owned in 2020 in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia for the first time.

The proportion of investors among owners varied from 20.2% in Ontario to 31.5% in Nova Scotia.

Among houses and condominium apartments, just under one in five properties was used as an investment in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia combined.

Condominium apartments were used as an investment more often than houses (single-detached houses, semi-detached houses, row houses, and mobile homes). Ontario topped the list with the highest rate of condominium apartments used as an investment, at 41.9%.

Click here to read more.

Zimmermann: Landlords needed to tackle west Niagara affordability crisis

Elisabeth Zimmermann, executive director of the YWCA Niagara Region, made a speech to Lincoln council on Jan. 30, outlining the affordable housing situation in the town and west Niagara.

The YWCA is on the front lines of the affordable housing crisis, providing shelter to women, men and gender-diverse people across Niagara.

Among other programs, Zimmermann said that the YWCA runs a transitional housing program in west Niagara. In the past year, the West Niagara Affordable Housing (WNAH) program provided housing to 14 adults and 17 children.

They’re helped by six property owners who provide the program with nine units.

However, she said the program needs to be expanded to help accommodate those on the wait-list. There are currently 10 individuals on the wait-list for affordable housing in the community.

Click here to read more.

Explained: Lincoln’s new tourism partnership with St. Catharines

The urban vibes of St. Catharines and the rural charms of Lincoln could be a match made in heaven for tourists, say Lincoln town staff.

That’s why they’re proposing a new joined-up tourism organization, connecting the two locations for tourists.

Tourism is one of the most important sectors in Lincoln’s economy, but town staff believe that, by teaming up with St. Catharines, it can be taken to the next level.

In order to do so, town staff are proposing a new destination marketing organization (DMO). But what is a DMO, how will it help boost tourism in the area, and what will it take to start up?

Click here to read more.

Weeklong Brock event to inspire next generation of women in STEM

Women working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will gather at Brock University next week with the goal of inspiring the next generation.

The weeklong Women in STEM event, which is free and open to the public, will see women share their journey in their respective fields, including how they got to where they are today, and challenges and opportunities experienced along the way.

Sessions will be offered in person and online from Monday, Feb. 6 to Friday, Feb. 10, touching on a variety of issues that affect women, both academically and professionally.

Click here to read more.

Pre-merger notification transaction-size threshold to remain at $93M in 2023

The Competition Bureau confirmed today that in 2023 the pre-merger notification threshold relating to transaction size will remain unchanged following a decision by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry to maintain the current threshold of $93 million.

Under the Competition Act mergers of all sizes and in all sectors of the economy are subject to review by the Commissioner of Competition. The Competition Bureau must generally be given advance notice of proposed transactions when the target’s assets in Canada or revenues from sales in or from Canada generated from those assets exceed $93 million, and when the combined Canadian assets or revenues of the parties and their respective affiliates in, from or into Canada exceed $400 million.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Technology

Why your company needs an innovation strategy in 2023

Almost a decade ago, Harvard Business School professor Gary Pisano famously wrote that companies should consider creating an innovation strategy. Today, an innovation strategy is not just an optional nice thing to have — it’s a requirement for companies that want to be successful.

With significant post-pandemic inflation and interest rates climbing to new highs, the big banks are warning of a recession in 2023.

This, coupled with the longstanding impacts of intense global competition, fickle consumers, rigorous regulation, environmental degradation and disruptive technologies, has companies looking to make the most of these uncertain times. An innovation strategy is exactly how companies can accomplish this.

Click here to read more.

If you still aren’t sure what ChatGPT is, this is your guide to the viral chatbot that everyone is talking about

Since OpenAI released its blockbuster bot ChatGPT in November, users have casually experimented with the tool, with even Insider reporters trying to simulate news stories or message potential dates.

To older millennials who grew up with IRC chat rooms — a text instant message system — the personal tone of conversations with the bot can evoke the experience of chatting online. But ChatGPT, the latest in technology known as “large language model tools,” doesn’t speak with sentience and doesn’t “think” the way people do.

That means that even though ChatGPT can explain quantum physics or write a poem on command, a full AI takeover isn’t exactly imminent, according to experts.

Click here to read more.

Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.

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New naloxone requirements: do you need to comply? Your top questions answered

February 3, 2023 | WSPS

The Ontario government is offering new guidance on how to determine if your workplace must comply with new naloxone requirements, as well as support in the form of a free naloxone kit and training for two workers.

Recent amendments to the [it]Occupational Health and Safety Act[it], which come into effect June 1, require life-saving naloxone kits in workplaces where workers are deemed at risk of overdose. Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and allows time for medical help to arrive.

“One of the key questions from employers has been how to determine if there is at risk of overdose from opioids,” says WSPS Consultant Pam Patry. “We now have some clarification from the government to help with that.”

Below, Pam answers this and other top questions about the naloxone legislation and support for employers. She reminds workplaces that if they do need to comply, it’s time to prepare. “Don’t wait until June 1. Opioid overdoses can happen tomorrow.”

Your top questions answered

  1. What are the new legal requirements?

Workplaces at risk of a worker opioid overdose must have [it]at least[it]one naloxone kit onsite and train staff on how to administer it. (Note that the requirements only apply if your own workers are at risk, not other workers that may be in the workplace, or customers, clients, and the public.)

“A workplace can decide to provide multiple kits,” says Pam, “depending on the degree of risk and the size of the workplace, in order to meet the legal obligation to take every reasonable precaution to protect workers.”

2. How do I determine whether there is a risk of worker opioid overdose?

If you are aware of, or ought to be aware of, a risk of overdose, the regulations apply. “There are five ways you might become aware of a risk of worker opioid overdose,” says Pam.

  • a worker opioid overdose has already occurred in the workplace
  • a worker who uses opioids voluntarily discloses this risk
  • opioid use is observed in the workplace or discovered during a workplace investigation
  • discarded opioid paraphernalia, such as used needles, are found in the workplace
  • the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) or others in the workplace bring the risk to the employer’s attention

“If workplaces are still unsure of their status, they can opt to purchase a kit and provide training on its use to be on the safe side,” says Pam.

3. How many staff need to be trained? And what training is required?

“The requirements only say trained staff must be available to administer naloxone anytime there are workers in the workplace,” says Pam. “You’ll need to take into consideration vacation, sick days, shifts, and the number of naloxone kits you have when determining how many people require training.” Kits must be located in the vicinity of trained staff.

Training covers how to recognize an opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone, and hazards related to administering naloxone,” says Pam. Depending on the form in which the naloxone is administered (nasal spray or injection), these could include physical, chemical, biological and psychological hazards.”

4. What supports are available to help workplaces comply with the naloxone requirements?

Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program will provide support to employers for up to two years by providing free online naloxone training for two workers per workplace and a free nasal spray naloxone kit.

For more details, and to register, visit these program providers:

5. How do I incorporate naloxone kits into my existing emergency response planning?

“Follow the process you use for other first aid emergencies,” says Pam. Set down in writing:

  • who will administer the naloxone
  • where kits are stored
  • what training is required
  • what procedures to follow when administering naloxone
  • who to contact externally and internally
  • what controls you have put in place to prevent identified hazards
  • what personal protective equipment must be worn
  • how you will support first aiders and other employees affected by the incident

Resources

How WSPS can help

Training 

Downloads & Forms 

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Daily Update: February 2, 2023

February 2, 2023 | Daily Update

Ontario government releases new health plan, building permits fell again in December, and more.

In this edition:

Ontario government releases new health plan

The Ontario government today released Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care.

The plan lays out a broad series of initiatives under three pillars: The Right Care in the Right Place, Faster Access to Care and Hiring More Health Care Workers. Designed to work together and work for people, these pillars aim to deliver connected and convenient care in hospital emergency rooms, in community settings like pharmacies and community organizations and doctors’ offices, in long-term care homes and through care delivered at home.

Specific measures include:

  • Expanded roles for pharmacists
  • Better coordination between healthcare professionals and providers
  • Investment in imaging and minor surgery providers to reduce backlogs
  • Expanding post-secondary medical education programs
  • Empowering paramedics to treat patients on-site

Ontario also says it is in “full support” of the federal government’s push to make health-care funding contingent on data reporting.

Click here to read more.

Building permits fell again in December

The monthly total seasonally adjusted value of building permits in Canada decreased 7.3% in December to $10.3 billion. Declines were posted in both the residential and the non-residential sectors.

Construction intentions in the single-family homes component decreased 3.9% while multi-family permit values fell 11.6%, with seven provinces posting declines. Quebec (-43.4%) contributed to much of the decline in the multi-family component following a strong November. Conversely, notable gains were posted in New Brunswick (+46.4%) and Saskatchewan (+36.9%) in December.

Click here to read more.

St. Catharines city council to prep for governance review

St. Catharines city council is planning to relaunch a governance review group in preparation for the province’s dive into Niagara’s political structure.

Grantham Coun. Dawn Dodge asked during a meeting this week that the city re-establish a task force, last struck in 2019, so the city is ready when facilitators are appointed by Queen’s Park.

“We’re a new council and it’s been some time since this was all discussed so I think it’s important we’re all on the same page and understand what’s going to take place,” Dodge said in an interview this week.

Council is expected to discuss task force details at a meeting this month.
Click here to read more.

Welland Media Release launches temporary emergency shelter pilot program

The City of Welland is launching a pilot emergency homeless shelter operated on the City’s behalf by the Hope Centre at the Welland Tennis Club at 45 Hooker Street during February and March. The shelter will offer five beds.

The temporary emergency shelter operating on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. is a result of the challenges observed during the inclement weather earlier this month. The first day of operation is Thursday, February 2. A trained social worker will be onsite to ensure the health and safety of everyone. In addition, shelter staff will screen visitors and engage in appropriate diversion practices to assist those in need.

The City will allot $9,000 for this initiative through the Corporate Continency Fund, amended on January 17, 2023. The funding to the Hope Centre is for staffing the shelter with a trained social worker.

Click here to read more (PDF link).

Niagara prepares for Coldest Night of the Year walks

Organizations across Niagara are getting ready for one of their biggest fundraisers of the year, when Coldest Night of the Year walks will be held across the country on February 25th to raise funds for various organizations that assist homeless initiatives.

Project Share will be hosting a walk in Niagara Falls. Walks are also being held in West Niagara, Fort Erie, Welland, and St. Catharines.

You can find information for all the walks here.

Click here to read more.

Food prices set to increase — again — as blackout on price hikes ends at some stores

Higher grocery prices are expected to hit stores across Canada as a blackout on price increases over the holiday season comes to an end.

Last fall, Loblaw Cos. Ltd. said it would lock-in prices on all its in-house No Name products until Jan. 31, while Metro Inc. said it would hold prices of most private-label and national brand products steady until Feb. 5.

The lifting of price freezes comes amid growing consumer outrage over soaring grocery prices and increasing scrutiny of grocers’ record profits.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Climate

Japan’s Honda outlines hydrogen power plans to go green

Honda is expanding the use of hydrogen to trucks and construction machinery, power for buildings and even space, not just cars on the roads.

Honda Motor Co. plans to sell a new fuel cell vehicle next year packed with a fuel cell stack developed with US-based General Motors Co., its general manager Testuya Hasebe told reporters on Thursday.

That will bring the cost of the fuel cell stack down to a third of what it is now, he said. By 2030, the cost of Honda’s fuel cells will be comparable to that of diesel engines, Hasebe said.

Click here to read more.

How California’s ambitious new climate plan could help speed energy transformation around the world

California is embarking on an audacious new climate plan that aims to eliminate the state’s greenhouse gas footprint by 2045, and in the process, slash emissions far beyond its borders. The blueprint calls for massive transformations in industry, energy and transportation, as well as changes in institutions and human behaviors.

These transformations won’t be easy. Two years of developing the plan have exposed myriad challenges and tensions, including environmental justice, affordability and local rule.

Click here to read more.

Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.

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Daily Update: February 1, 2023

February 1, 2023 | Daily Update

Niagara observes Black History Month, 7 Niagara restaurants make list of Canada’s top 100 romantic places to dine, and more.

In this edition:

Niagara observes Black History Month

Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.

The 2023 theme for Black History Month is: “Ours to tell”. This theme represents both an opportunity to engage in open dialogue and a commitment to learning more about the stories Black communities in Canada have to tell about their histories, successes, sacrifices and triumphs.

No matter where you live, we invite all Canadians to learn more about these communities, and how they continue to help shape Canadian history.

Access the Government of Canada’s Black History Month digital toolkit here.

Read Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement here.

Read Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s statement here.

St. Catharines museum celebrates Black History Month with tours and a new exhibit

Black History Month at Niagara Health

Brock University announces collaborative initiatives for Black History Month

Honouring Black History in Niagara Falls

Niagara Events To Commemorate Black History Month

Niagara Falls to be illuminated for Black History Month

7 Niagara restaurants make list of Canada’s top 100 romantic places to dine

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, OpenTable has released its 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in Canada for 2023.

Niagara locations that made the list include Cafe Amore and Valley Restaurant in St. Catharines, Kitchen76 at Two Sisters Vineyards, The Drawing Room at The Prince of Wales Hotel, and Treadwell Farm-to-Table Cuisine in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Also on the list are Remingtons of Niagara, and Table Rock House Restaurant – both in Niagara Falls.

Click here to read more.

ServiceOntario will offer enhanced appointment booking system

An enhanced appointment booking system at ServiceOntario is now available at 64 of its busiest centres. Customers requiring in-person visits can book multiple services in a single appointment on their smartphone or computer or book a single appointment for the whole family. Ontarians will also have the option to identify accessibility needs ahead of the appointment so services can be provided to meet their individual needs efficiently and effectively.

Click here to read more.

Engage Welland aims to correct misinformation, clarify misconceptions

Through its public engagement platform Engage Welland, the city endeavours to correct misinformation, clarify misconceptions, and drill down to the root sources of issues that create confusion with a new project called Fact vs. Fiction.

While on the campaign trail in 2022, several candidates informed city staff that they spent a lot of time correcting information residents thought to be true. The movement of information from one source to another would change content, and suggestions or ideas would be born, often leaving people confused and concerned.

You can visit the Fact versus Fiction page at www.engagewelland.ca/fact-vs-fiction.

Click here to read more (PDF link).

Grant keeps grocery delivery program going in Niagara

A popular grocery delivery program run by Community Support Services Niagara will be sticking around, thanks to a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“I am very pleased to recognize this Trillium grant,” said Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch. “I shudder to think about what could have happened to the many seniors and other mobility-challenged people in my riding who simply could not have obtained food during pandemic lockdowns had it not been for Community Support Services of Niagara and its grocery delivery program. The service continues to go such a long way toward helping people remain independent and healthy in their own homes.”

Click here to read more.

Ontario job seekers increasingly looking for work in other provinces: Indeed

Ontario job seekers are increasingly looking for work in other provinces, especially positions in remote-friendly sectors like tech, said a new report from Indeed.

In the second half of 2022, 6.1 per cent of clicks on Canadian job postings by Ontario-based job seekers were for positions in other provinces, according to the job search company.

That’s an almost 50 per cent increase from the second half of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the labour market.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Employers making progress on anti-Black racism, but employees fear a recession could erode progress

Most Black Canadians feel their employers continued to make progress addressing anti-Black racism in the last year but worry that a recession could wipe out those gains, finds new research by KPMG in Canada.

KPMG’s latest survey of more than 1,000 Black Canadians found that nine in 10 respondents said their employers made progress on efforts to be more equitable and inclusive for Black employees in 2022.

The results measure progress since KPMG’s inaugural survey of last year, which evaluated an 18-month period beginning from the spring of 2020, when companies across Canada pledged to take action towards dismantling anti-Black racism.

Nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) respondents said their employer’s efforts to hire more Black people improved in 2022, and more than half of respondents (54 per cent) said their employer’s efforts to promote more Black people into leadership roles also improved.

Click here to read more.

Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.

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