Daily Update: November 17, 2022

November 17, 2022 | Daily Update

Government of Canada introduces port and railroad legislation, Ontario to invest in healthcare infrastructure and skilled trades, and more.

In this edition:

Government of Canada introduces port and railroad legislation

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, introduced the Strengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act in the House of Commons. The Act aims to:

  • amend current legislation and modernize the way Canada’s marine and railway transportation systems operate;
  • remove systemic barriers to create a more fluid, secure, and resilient supply chain;
  • expand Canada Port Authorities’ mandate over traffic management;
  • position Canada’s ports as strategic hubs that support national supply chain performance and effectively manage investment decisions for sustainable growth;
  • improve the government’s insight into ports and their operations; and
  • modernize provisions on rail safety, security, and transportation of dangerous goods.

Click here to read more.

Ontario to invest $182m in healthcare infrastructure

The Ontario government is investing over $182 million this year to support critical upgrades and repairs at 131 hospitals and 65 community health care facilities across the province.

Ontario is providing $175 million to hospitals through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and over $7.6 million to community health service providers through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund. This funding from the province allows its health care system partners to address urgent infrastructure renewal needs such as upgrades or replacements of roofs, windows, security systems, fire alarms and back-up generators.

Click here to read more.

Ontario to invest $3.5m in skilled trades in Niagara and five other regions

The Ontario government is investing $3.5 million in province-wide training initiatives to help more students launch rewarding careers in the skilled trades. These projects, led by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO), aim to prepare nearly 2,000 young people for well-paying jobs in the construction industry, including a path to paid training and union-sponsored apprenticeships.

The PBCTCO’s Tomorrow’s Trade programs provide training to at-risk youth and allow students to explore lucrative careers in the construction trades, meet industry mentors and develop essential construction sector skills. The programs are available for students in London, Hamilton-Niagara Peninsula, Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor-Sarnia and Sudbury until March 2023.

Click here to read more.

Fewer Canadian EI claimants in September, but Niagara numbers edge upwards

In September, 27,000 (-5.6%) fewer Canadians received regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 455,000, a similar level to February 2020 (447,000) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the unemployment rate in September 2022 fell 0.2 percentage points to 5.2%, as fewer people searched for work.

In Niagara, the number of claimants increased by 180 to 5,350, although still down 67% year-over-year.

Click here to read more.

St. Catharines recognized as climate action leader

The City of St. Catharines is being recognized for its leadership on environmental action and transparency, earning a top score on climate action from CDP, an international environmental impact non-profit.

The City joins a prestigious list of just 122 municipalities from across the globe to receive recognition on the CDP 2022 A List. To score an A, among other actions, a local government must not only publicly disclose their data, but also have a community-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and have published a climate action plan. It must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards.

Click here to read more.

City of Welland suspends Vaccine Status Policy

Effective immediately, the City of Welland’s Vaccine Status Policy is suspended.

Council voted to suspend the policy that has been in effect since October 2021.

The City continues to have an obligation to take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect its employees, as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and to create a safe working environment. Therefore, the City is prepared to implement and recommend control measures, including the Vaccine Status Policy, be reimplemented should there be a rise in COVID-19 cases or a staff outbreak.

Click here to read more (PDF link).

Ontario tells schools to make plans for remote learning next week if education workers strike

Ontario’s Ministry of Education is asking school boards to pivot to remote learning next week if education workers strike on Monday, according to a memo obtained by CTV News Toronto.

“If a school board determines that it cannot maintain the healthy and safe operation of schools in-person, school boards must support students in a speedy transition to remote learning,” the memo, titled Labour Disruptions – Continued Contingency Planning, reads.

On Wednesday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced that it had given the mandatory five days notice for strike action after renewed bargaining fell apart.

Click here to read more.

Rate of flu, RSV increase appears to be slowing down: Ontario health minister

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones says an increase in respiratory viruses that are driving a surge in pediatric hospitalizations appears to be slowing down.

Recently, the province’s pediatric ICUs were operating over capacity, with 122 children in intensive care –10 more than the maximum the system is equipped to handle.

But those daily numbers, while available to hospital executives, are not made public and Jones did not answer today when asked how many children are currently in ICUs.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Real Estate

Why these Lipper Award-winning fund managers think you need more real estate in your portfolio

Canadian investors wanting to boost their real estate holdings should look to the country’s pension plans for a rough guide on how much of this asset class to own, says Michael Nairne, president and chief investment officer of Tacita Capital of Toronto.

“Pension plans have been adding real estate for years because they face what the average Canadian faces, which is a retirement funding challenge,” says Mr. Nairne, who manages the Lipper Award-winning TCI Premia Real Assets Private Pool fund. “Real estate offers an ability to build contracted cash flows that increase over time.”

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: November 15, 2022

November 15, 2022 | Daily Update

Living Wage Network releases wage rate updates, Prime Minister strengthens ties with ASEAN, new industrial park coming to Welland, and more.

In this edition:

Ontario Living Wage Network releases wage rate updates

The Ontario Living Wage Network has released new living wage calculations against a backdrop of record–breaking inflation and Consumer Price Index increases. Workers at the bottom end of the wage scale are most vulnerable to these kinds of fluctuations. A living wage is an effective tool to combat working poverty by making sure that employees can make ends meet where they live. By incorporating expenses that a worker must cover, such as shelter, food, transportation and more, the Living Wage Network aims to produce living wages that are much closer to reality than a politically set minimum wage.

The 2022 living wage rates range from $23.15 for the Greater Toronto Area to $18.05 in London. Many areas will see an increase in living wage rates over last year’s calculations. Sault Ste. Marie’s rate will increase by 21.6% to $19.70 per hour, which is the largest increase. Thirteen areas, as defined by the previous boundaries, will see an increase of over 10%.

Niagara warranted a 4.8% increase, bringing the local living wage up to $19.80 per hour.

Click here to read more.

Prime Minister strengthens ties with ASEAN and expands partnerships in the Indo-Pacific

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, concluded his participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit yesterday, hosted by Cambodia in Phnom Penh, where Canada was invited as a guest of the Chair.

During an ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit on November 12, which marked the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada dialogue relations, Canada and ASEAN committed to establish a Canada-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. The Prime Minister also announced an investment of $40 million to launch a new Indo-Pacific Engagement Initiative (IPEI).

Click here to read more.

New Class “A” industrial park coming to Welland site

Ground has broken on a brand new, 36,000 square feet, multi-tenant, Class “A” flex industrial building at 150 Downs Drive in Welland, the city’s most recent and sixth city-owned industrial park.

The building is optimally located seconds from the Woodlawn Road exit off Highway 406. Units range from 1,500 SF up to 24,000 SF and are competitively priced. All units offer 24-foot-high clear ceiling spans, 12’ x 14’ grade-level ship door(s), and natural and LED light.

Click here to read more (PDF link).

Manufacturing sales hold steady after 4-month decline, wholesale trade posts slight increase

Following four consecutive monthly declines, manufacturing sales were unchanged at $70.4 billion in September. Durable goods were the main source of sales growth in September, increasing 1.0% to $34.1 billion, following a decline of 2.0% in the previous month. Among durable goods manufacturers, aerospace product and parts (+11.1%), primary metal (+2.9%) and machinery (+3.6%) posted the largest gains during the month.

In September, wholesale sales rose 0.1% to $81.8 billion, with the largest increases coming from personal and household goods and food, beverage and tobacco. Sales rose in five of seven subsectors, which accounts for 70.2% of wholesale sales.

Meanwhile, constant dollar sales fell 0.2% in September.

Auditor General: federal government does not know if it is reducing chronic homelessness

A report from Auditor General Karen Hogan tabled today in the House of Commons found that although 5 years have gone by since the launch of the federal government’s National Housing Strategy, there is still no organization in the federal government taking the lead on Canada’s target to prevent and reduce chronic homelessness by half by 2028. In addition, the organizations did not know whether their efforts so far had improved housing outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and chronic homelessness.

“One of my biggest concerns is the lack of federal accountability for achieving Canada’s target to reduce chronic homelessness by half by 2028,” said Ms. Hogan.

Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen thanked the Auditor General in a statement, and acknowledged that “despite the programs and services brought forward by our government, more needs to be done to support communities in collecting data and strengthening coordination.” The Minister announced a commitment to data-gathering, coordination, and other efforts to deliver on the government’s homelessness strategy.

Click here to read more.

NPCA to enhance Rockway Conservation Area in Lincoln

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) will soon begin a project to enhance the Rockway Conservation Area in Lincoln. Community members are invited to learn more at an upcoming virtual information session on November 23, 2022, from 7-8 p.m.

Rockway Conservation Area (Rockway) is considered one of the Niagara Peninsula watershed’s hidden gems, as it is part of the Niagara Escarpment, with significant ecological features, flora, fauna, and recreational assets. The extensive trail system connects to the Bruce Trail. It offers a hiking experience within the Fifteen Mile Creek Valley, surrounded by mature trees, a salt spring, and two spectacular waterfalls.

Click here to read more.

A day after Ontario’s top doctor urges masking, health minister says doing so is a ‘personal choice’

Ontario’s health minister says it’s a personal choice to wear a mask, defending the majority of her Progressive Conservative colleagues who did not wear masks in the legislature Tuesday — including Premier Doug Ford.

That stands in contrast to Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore’s message to Ontarians on Monday, in which he strongly recommended masking indoors.

Moore made the masking recommendation in a bid to ease pressure on children’s hospitals, which are at capacity provincewide due to respiratory illnesses and have had to cancel non-urgent surgeries to deal with the surge of young patients in intensive care, emergency departments and pediatric wards.

Ford said Sunday that Ontarians should wear a mask every time possible.

Click here to read more.

Brock to continue requiring masks in instructional spaces for exams, Winter Term

The requirement to wear a mask in instructional spaces will continue through the Fall exam period and into the Winter Term at Brock University.

Masks will continue to be required for all students, faculty and instructors in all instructional spaces, including classrooms, lecture halls, seminars, teaching labs and other spaces when instruction or examination is taking place.

The use of masks continues to be very strongly recommended everywhere on campus, especially when maintaining distance from others is not possible.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Finance & Economy

From crypto to housing, collapse of speculative wealth could refocus investment on real growth

Investors hoping to make a killing as cryptocurrencies rebounded from this year’s plunge in valuations got a rude surprise last week after one of the most trusted exchanges for crypto trading, FTX, filed for bankruptcy.

But while old-school financial advisers may be tut-tutting at young and inexperienced crypto investors who they say should have known better, there are new signs a decline in speculative investments may be part of a trend that goes far beyond bitcoin and its many imitators.

Suddenly things like house prices, tech company valuations and fintech innovations, including cryptocurrency, that so recently seemed to be shooting for the moon are coming back down to Earth.

Click here to read more.

Oil and key grains jump after Russian rockets hit Poland

Commodities from oil to corn jumped following media reports of Russian missiles crossing into Poland, as the potential for a widening conflict jolted the market out of slowdown-related concerns.

West Texas Intermediate futures climbed as much as 3.3% following a quick succession of reports signaling Russia’s offensive in Ukraine may be spilling across borders. Futures pared gains to settle near $87 a barrel.

The Associated Press reported two people were killed in Poland by Russian missiles. Amid a barrage of shelling that struck Kyiv and other targets in Ukraine, Hungarian energy company MOL said a power station serving Europe’s largest pipeline was struck by artillery fire, halting deliveries on the Druzhba pipeline.

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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What to expect during a Ministry workplace inspection

November 15, 2022 | WSPS

 

If a Ministry inspector knocked on your door today – would your business be ready? We welcome Adina from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) to share tips so you’ll be ready for a possible inspection (2:43). Also, get updates on new COVID guidelines (:58) and how you can train your health and safety rep for free (1:25)! Then, learn how quality sleep can improve your physical and mental health (16:23)

Show Notes
New COVID guidelines, plus 6 tips to stop the spread of respiratory illness | www.wsps.ca/resource-hub/articl…respiratory-illness
MLITSD and WSPS | Masking Webinar – shop.wsps.ca/products/using-mas…-protect-workers-1
Health and Safety Representative (HSR) training: reimbursements available for your small business | www.wsps.ca/resource-hub/articl…your-small-business
NEW: Fall Harvest Strategy | www.wsps.ca/important-updates/n…ll-harvest-strategy
Occupational health and safety inspections and investigations | ontario.ca
Health and safety for small businesses | www.ontario.ca/page/health-and-s…-small-businesses

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre: www.wsps.ca/Small-Business-Centre/Home.aspx
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email dutyconsultant@wsps.ca or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We’d love to hear from you! Contact smallbizsafety@wsps.ca

Follow WSPS on social media
• Twitter: twitter.com/WSPS_NEWS
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/wsps.news
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/workplac…vention-services
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/WSPSpromo

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Daily Update: November 11, 2022

November 11, 2022 | Daily Update

Remembrance Day ceremonies held across the country, GO Transit workers reach tentative deal with Metrolinx to end strike, and more.

In this edition:

Remembrance Day ceremonies held across the country

Canadians gathered at cenotaphs and monuments across the country today to pay their respects to those who fought and died in service of the country.

This year marks a full return to normalcy after COVID-19 forced changes to ceremonies over the past two years.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford joined the Remembrance Day tribute at the provincial legislature in Toronto this morning.

“Remembrance Day is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the debt of gratitude every Canadian owes to our veterans and servicemembers,” said the Premier in a statement, “as well as commemorate those brave souls who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We must demonstrate our appreciation, not only today, but every day that we enjoy the freedoms they have made possible.”

And in Ottawa, gun salutes boomed out and thousands of people wearing poppies gathered this morning to pay their respects to the country’s war dead.

Click here to read more.

GO Transit workers reach tentative deal with Metrolinx to end strike

GO Transit bus service will resume Saturday after a tentative deal was reached between Metrolinx and the union representing more than 2,000 workers, ending a four-day strike.

More than 22-hundred station attendants, bus operators, maintenance workers, transit safety officers, and office professionals walked off the job Monday, prompting the cancellation of regional bus service across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Click here to read more.

Ontario withdraws labour board case seeking to declare CUPE’s walkout illegal

Ontario’s labour relations board says the provincial government has withdrawn its application to have a walkout by 55,000 education workers declared illegal.

The workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) walked off the job last Friday after the government passed legislation that imposed a contract and banned a strike.

On Monday, Premier Doug Ford promised to rescind the legislation if the workers ended their job action, and CUPE said employees would be back at work the next day.

The walkout had shut hundreds of schools to in-person learning.

Click here to read more.

Ontario to release 2022 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review on Monday

Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, will deliver the 2022 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review in the legislature on Monday, November 14, at 1:00pm.

Watch the Minister’s speech with English closed captioning on the Government of Ontario YouTube Channel, or with French closed captioning at Chaîne YouTube du gouvernement de l’Ontario.

Click here to read more.

Job losses will rise but won’t reach levels seen in past economic downturns: BoC

As a potential recession looms, unemployment will rise, but Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says job losses won’t fall to levels seen in past economic downturns.

Canada’s job market has remained strong despite growing forecasts that a slowdown is on the horizon.

“We don’t expect a large increase in unemployment in the way we’ve seen in past recessions,” Macklem said before students and researchers at Toronto Metropolitan University Thursday. “We’re not expecting high unemployment by historical standards.”

The governor said the country’s current low unemployment rate is not sustainable and is contributing to decades-high inflation.

Click here to read more.

Big Brothers Big Sisters amalgamating in Niagara to form one agency

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North and West Niagara and its South Central counterpart are amalgamating.

Both agencies announced their intent to create one single agency today, creating the largest mentoring program to support children and youth across Niagara.

The new agency will operate under the name Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara (BBBSN).

“Our goal is to create a single, strong Big Brothers Big Sisters that will increase our impact throughout the entire Niagara region,” says Frank Ruberto, Board Chair for BBBSSCN.

“We want to ensure that every child that wants a mentor has access to a mentor.”

Click here to read more.

NOTL Gives Back returns this season

Teaming up with community partners, Niagara-on-the-Lake Minor Hockey Association, Revel Realty and Team MAC Inc, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is once again preparing for NOTL Gives Back, an event to collect donations for various vital support programs within our municipality and beyond.

NOTL Gives Back will take place Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Mary Snider Room at the Meridian Credit Union Arena (1567 Four Mile Creek Road, Virgil).

Click here to read more.

Your input is needed for the Fall 2022 Ontario Economic Report

The GNCC and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) are looking for your insights on issues that matter to your businesses. How confident are you in Ontario’s economy and your organization’s outlook? What should governments prioritize to drive economic growth?

Your participation in our annual Business Confidence Survey is as important as ever. The results of the survey will inform the 2023 Ontario Economic Report: the landmark research platform of the OCC, offering a unique perspective on the experience of businesses of all sizes across the province.

Share your views by taking a short five-minute survey here. 

Focus on Technology

Elon Musk seeks to reassure advertisers on Twitter after chaos

Elon Musk sought to reassure big companies that advertise on Twitter on Wednesday that his chaotic takeover of the social media platform won’t harm their brands, acknowledging that some “dumb things” might happen on his way to creating what he says will be a better, safer user experience.

The latest erratic move on the minds of major advertisers – that the company depends on for revenue – was Musk’s decision to abolish a new “official” label on high-profile Twitter accounts just hours after introducing it.

Twitter began adding grey labels to prominent accounts Wednesday, including brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Apple, to indicate that they are authentic. A few hours later, the labels started disappearing.

Click here to read more.

Choosing the right technology for your small business: 5 tips

As a small business owner, you want to impress a customer from the moment they walk into your business—whether they’re greeted by an aroma of fresh-baked pastries, beautifully arranged products, or a friendly face. But more and more often, customers are experiencing that first touchpoint digitally: More than 65% of consumers say they research products online before going to a brick-and-mortar store, and 76% say they check out a business’s online presence.

Choosing the right technology is crucial to ensuring these customers complete their journey to your store—whether that’s from your online booking portal, Yelp Page, or social media site. But how do you go about finding tech that feels as personalized and helpful as that first “hello” from a team member?

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: November 10, 2022

November 10, 2022 | Daily Update

Canada to invest $.99m in wine growers, Tam warns of flu upswing, new COVID-19 variants as viral triple threat continues, and more.

In this edition:

Your input is needed for the Fall 2022 Ontario Economic Report

The GNCC and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) are looking for your insights on issues that matter to your businesses. How confident are you in Ontario’s economy and your organization’s outlook? What should governments prioritize to drive economic growth?

Your participation in our annual Business Confidence Survey is as important as ever. The results of the survey will inform the 2023 Ontario Economic Report: the landmark research platform of the OCC, offering a unique perspective on the experience of businesses of all sizes across the province.

Share your views by taking a short five-minute survey here. 

Canada to invest $.99m in wine growers

Today, Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, announced on behalf of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, an investment of up to $990,866 to Wine Growers Canada.

The Canadian wine industry has over 800 winery establishments nationwide. While the wine industry continues to grow across the country, it is not immune to challenges, including climate change, labour shortages and supply chain issues.

This investment, under the AgriMarketing Program, will support Wine Growers Canada to further develop markets in North America, Europe and Asia, and increase awareness of and trust in Canadian-made wine to protect, maintain and enhance market access for Canadian wine producers.

Click here to read more.

Tam warns of flu upswing, new COVID-19 variants as viral triple threat continues

Canada’s top doctor is warning of “increased growth” in new COVID-19 variants and an upswing in seasonal influenza cases, just as a surge of respiratory syncytial virus inundates hospitals.

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Thursday in a virtual update that the triple threat of all three viruses is posing a challenge for the health system in several parts of the country and points to the need for “stepped up precautions.”

Click here to read more.

PBO analysis says government could reap $4.4B from windfall tax in other sectors

New analysis from the parliamentary budget officer suggests the federal government would pocket $4.4 billion in additional revenue if it extended the Canada Revenue Dividend to the oil and gas sector as well as big-box stores.

The dividend is a one-time 15 per cent windfall tax the Liberals plan to levy on excess profits made by banks and life insurers during the pandemic.

The PBO previously estimated that the dividend would bring in $3 billion in revenue from banks and life insurers over the next five years.

Click here to read more.

Five industries account for 80% of trade value: Statistics Canada

In 2020, exports and imports of commercial services were increasingly concentrated in five industries, with professional, scientific and technical services industries, information and cultural industries, finance and insurance industries, manufacturing industries and wholesale trade accounting for just over 80% of trade value.

By enterprise-size, small and medium enterprises continued to be responsible for a slightly higher share of Canada’s commercial services exports than large firms, while for imports, large firms accounted for the higher share. In addition, multinational enterprises accounted for three-quarters of all commercial services exports and 86% of all imports.

Click here to read more.

How does climate change affect the grape and wine industry?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQed34-kt6Y

St. Catharines sounds alarm over province’s proposed housing bill

The province’s More Homes Built Faster Act will have “severe” financial implications for St. Catharines and result in a loss of heritage buildings, environmental protections, design standards and accountability to the public, council heard this week.

St. Catharines director of planning and building services director Tami Kitay, with her department’s staff who showed up in solidarity, urged city councillors to champion the abolishment of Bill 23.

“There is nothing in this bill that advances more homes to be built faster or more affordability. Instead, this bill perpetuates a transfer of profit to the development industry at the expense of community,” Kitay said Monday night.

Click here to read more.

Focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

How diversity and inclusion drive business transformation

Business leaders today recognize that agility and adaptability are essential to long-term success. To achieve that agility, companies must overcome organizational inertia, constantly looking for ways to reshape behaviors in order to promote a learning mindset. Strategies to implement change include process redesign initiatives, technology innovation centers and design thinking workshops that embrace psychological safety.

While these measures can have an impact, they’re often limited by the experiences of those involved. In other words, the perspectives of the people being asked to drive change have been shaped within the confines of the rigid and inefficient modes of operation that need changing.

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: November 8, 2022

November 8, 2022 | Daily Update

Ontario brings CUPE education workers ‘improved offer;’ $1-million donation to United Way will help community food programs, and more.

In this edition:

Ontario brings CUPE education workers ‘improved offer,’ Premier Doug Ford says

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is bringing forward an “improved offer” for education support workers with contract negotiations resuming Tuesday as the union returned to work after a two-day walkout that forced many schools to shut their doors.
Not providing specific details to respect the bargaining process, Mr. Ford said the new four-year contract offer for the 55,000 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) workers will focus on supporting lower-income employees and those who work part-time. The premier said both sides need to “give a little” as they return to the table and work toward a deal that is acceptable to all parties.
Negotiations resume a day after the government pledged to repeal legislation, known as Bill 28, that used the notwithstanding clause to impose a contract on the workers and overrule their right to strike. The premier’s office said legislation to repeal the bill would be tabled when the house returns Monday as it isn’t sitting this week and MPPs are back in the communities they represent.

Click here to read more.

$1-million donation to United Way will help community food programs

The United Way has announced that Greg and Diane Slaight have donated one million dollars to United Way to provide immediate relief for local community food programs.

“The need is growing at an unprecedented rate,” said United Way CEO Frances Hallworth. “We hear every day about the increasing number of people, from children to seniors, seeking support from food programs and the challenges our community partners are facing in addressing the growing need. This gift will be instrumental in helping to ensure that emergency food programs will be able to better meet the increased demand over the next two years.”

With the funds, United Way will support community food programs that are struggling due to increased demand and rising food prices. Any registered charity delivering food security initiatives in Niagara is eligible to apply.

The application, now available on United Way’s website at unitedwayniagara.org/apply-for-funding, will close at 12:00pm on November 28, 2022 and funds will be distributed to successful applicants in early December.

Click here to read more.

Economic accounts confirm 2021 economic bounceback

In 2021, Canada’s real gross domestic product (GDP) rebounded 5.0%, following a 5.1% decline in 2020 due to the widespread shutdown in economic activity in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reopening of the economy, combined with low interest rates and continued pandemic-related government support, resulted in substantial upturns in household spending, housing investment, and business investment.

Real GDP rose in 9 of the 10 provinces and in all 3 territories, with Saskatchewan (-0.9%) recording the only decline. Among the provinces, Prince Edward Island (+7.9%), Nova Scotia (+6.2%), and British Columbia (+6.1%) had the largest annual increases in real GDP.

Click here to read more.

Port Colborne seeks citizen board and committee members

The City of Port Colborne is accepting applications for positions on the following Boards/Committees:

  • Committee of Adjustment
  • Port Colborne Public Library Board
  • Port Colborne Historical Marine and Museum Board
  • Property Standards Committee

Visit the City’s Committees and Boards webpage to access the application form.

Email deputyclerk@portcolborne.ca or call the Deputy Clerk at 905-835-2900 x 115 for more information.

Niagara Economic Summit

Missed the Niagara Economic Summit? Need more information?

Over three hundred people attended today’s Niagara Economic Summit to hear plenary speakers Brock Dickinson and John Peller, and to listen to expert panels tackle topics including the future of the economy, the labour shortage, and the housing crisis.

Video footage of the event is available at gncc.ca/nes, where you can also download the slide decks of the local, provincial, and national economies presented by economic analysts Blake Landry, Ester Gerassime, and Marwa Abdou, and watch the messages of greetings from Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Ford.

Focus on Finance & Economy

Wall Street drifts ahead of election results, inflation data

Stocks are mixed in tentative trading Tuesday as Wall Street braces for the results from the day’s midterm elections and a big update on inflation that’s due later in the week.

The S&P 500 was 0.3% lower in afternoon trading after losing an early gain of 1.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 74 points, or 0.2%, at 32,901, as of 2:25 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% lower.

With Americans heading to the polls across the country amid high inflation and worries about a possible recession, analysts say investors appear to be making bets for Republicans to gain control of at least one house of Congress. That combined with a Democratic White House could lead to little getting done in Washington, which may be bad for society but could also keep the status quo on economic policy. And markets tend to abhor uncertainty.

Click here to read more.

U.S. stocks fall as crypto upends risk sentiment

U.S. stocks fell in volatile trading amid sharp declines in some risk assets and as investors turned broadly cautious ahead of results from midterm elections. Treasury yields fell and the dollar trimmed losses.

Both the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 slid into the red. The sudden move lower in stocks coincided with a lurch lower in Bitcoin that rocked market sentiment. The yield on two-year Treasuries, more sensitive to Federal Reserve policy changes, shed 4 basis points, while a gauge of dollar pared declines.

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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Lunch & Learn: Become a Better Negotiator

October 30, 2022 | Event Recordings, Lunch and Learn

Presented by: George Levesque, President, Levesque Negotiation

More about Georges Levesque: Georges Levesque is a senior executive with EF Education First, the world’s largest educational organization with over 52,000 employees in 114 countries as well as President of Levesque Negotiation, a negotiation training firm. Over 10,000 people worldwide have benefited from his negotiation training.

Georges is also an entrepreneur, professional speaker and proud supporter of small businesses. Trained in advanced negotiations and business strategy at both the MIT School of Entrepreneurship and the Harvard Business School, he is a former board member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and has traveled to over 100 countries.

A business graduate of Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, Georges currently resides in Montreal & Boston with his wife Paulina and 3 children.

More about Levesque Negotiation: They provide effective negotiation training for companies, organization & individuals. Virtual or in-person. Their staff are trained at Harvard University and undergo extensive continued education in the field of negotiation. They work with clients all over the world and organizations of all sizes. From exclusive company trainings to conferences, we can train from 6 to 600 people.

https://levesquenegotiation.com/

Sponsored by YMCA of Niagara

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Daily Update: October 20, 2022

October 20, 2022 | Daily Update

Niagara EI claimants down 75% since last year, Ontario doubles financial penalties for unfair cancellation of new home projects, and more.

In this edition:

Niagara EI claimants down 75% since last year

In August, 485,000 Canadians received regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, down by 21,000 (-4.1%) from July.

According to the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the unemployment rate in August rose to 5.4%, following a record low of 4.9% observed in June and July. The largest decrease occurred in Quebec (-12,000; -9.5%), which accounted for more than half of the national decline.

Local numbers were little changed, with 50 more Niagara claimants in August than in July. Year-over-year, however, 16,000 fewer people in Niagara were claiming EI benefits, and the 2022 figures represent a 75% drop from the year before.

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Ontario doubles financial penalties for unfair cancellation of new home projects

Proposed changes under the New Home Construction Licensing Act (NHCLA), would, if passed, increase existing maximum financial penalties from $25,000 to $50,000 per infraction, with no limit to additional monetary benefit penalties. Under these new changes, unscrupulous developers could now be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for each unfairly cancelled contract. Unethical developers who engage in these practices could also face the risk of permanently losing their builder’s licence.

The proposed changes will also enable the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) to use the money received from these penalties to make payments back directly to consumers who have been adversely affected by builders and vendors who break the law. This change would make Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide such compensation to consumers.

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Government of Canada announces partnership to create new apprenticeships across Canada

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, announced more than $53 million to the Native Women’s Association of Canada for the Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and Gender-Diverse Apprenticeships with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) project. The project will provide financial incentives and a suite of online training and resources to SMEs across Canada to help them participate in the apprenticeship system and create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for at least 4,000 apprentices.

Today’s announcement builds on the 16 Apprenticeship Service projects announced since May 2022. To date, the Government has invested over $393 million in 19 projects that will enable SMEs to create over 42,000 new apprenticeship positions across Canada.

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Manitoba eyes more tax cuts, offers subsidy for minimum wage employers

The Manitoba government is starting a review of personal and business taxes with the aim of becoming more competitive with other provinces.

While Manitoba has been recording annual deficits almost every year since 2009 and is facing demands to spend more money on health care, the Progressive Conservative government said a more competitive tax regime would attract more businesses and boost provincial coffers.

“The way we will improve education and social services, health care, is by growing our economy,” Premier Heather Stefanson said Wednesday.

“If we are growing our economy, there is more tax dollars that are coming to the province to be able to afford the social services that Manitobans need.”

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Niagara Economic Summit

John Peller, O.C. to deliver plenary address at Summit

John E. Peller, O.C., President and CEO of Andrew Peller Limited, will deliver a plenary address at this year’s Niagara Economic Summit. As the head of one of Canada’s leading producers and marketers of quality wines and craft beverage alcohol products, John has a unique insight into one of Niagara’s signature industries and one of its key economic drivers.

The Company’s award-winning premium and ultra-premium VQA brands include Peller Estates, Trius, Thirty Bench, Wayne Gretzky, Sandhill, Red Rooster, Black Hills Estate Winery, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Gray Monk Estate Winery, Raven Conspiracy, and Conviction. Complementing these premium brands are a number of popularly priced varietal offerings, wine-based liqueurs, craft ciders, beer and craft spirits.

John will also be interviewed at the Summit in fireside chat format. Contact us to submit your questions.

Click here for tickets to this year’s Niagara Economic Summit.

Focus on Real Estate

Canadian home prices post record monthly decline in September: Housing index

Home prices fell for a fifth consecutive month in September, breaking the previous record set in August, according to the Teranet–National Bank National Composite House Price Index.

In a report released Thursday, it found that home prices fell 3.1 per cent in September, compared to a month ago.

This marked the largest monthly decline since the index was first started in 1999, and shattered the previous record decline of 2.4 per cent in August.

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Where home prices have increased the most in Canada

While average home prices across most provinces and territories have cooled considerably since reaching their peak in February, several markets are still seeing prices rise year-over-year.

According to the latest data released by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), major markets such as the Greater Vancouver and Toronto areas, Montreal and Calgary all saw average home prices increase between September 2021 and September 2022. However, smaller real estate markets situated outside of these hubs saw higher annual growth rates by comparison.

This is because rising interest rates have a greater influence on home prices in larger, more expensive markets, said Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s senior economist and director of housing data and market analysis.

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: October 18, 2022

October 18, 2022 | Daily Update

Lincoln celebrates local Digital Transformation Grant recipients, Niagara College receives $3.25M boost for applied research, and more.

In this edition:

Lincoln celebrates local Digital Transformation Grant recipients during Small Business Week 2022

The Town of Lincoln is pleased to commemorate Small Business Week by celebrating the small businesses in Lincoln who contribute to the economic and social well-being of the community.

“Economic recovery has brought new challenges for small business owners. High on the list is worker shortages, supply chain issues and inflation. Small business owners are finding ways to succeed and think outside the box facing these challenges,” said Paul Di Ianni, Director, Economic Development and Communications for the Town of Lincoln. “We are seeing small businesses becoming more inclusive, sustainable and digitally savvy as they adapt to a changing business landscape.”

In August of 2022 the Town of Lincoln secured a Digital Main Street (DMS) grant of $93,000 to deliver Digital Service Squad (DSS), a program that is instrumental in helping local businesses enhance their online capabilities.

Click here to read more.

Niagara College receives $3.25M boost for applied research

Niagara College will enhance its applied research outputs for the benefit of businesses in the region, and augment the educational opportunities for students, thanks to a $3.25 million investment of federal funding.

On October 14, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced more than $85 million for 76 grants through the College and Community Innovation program (CCI), managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

“We are proud of the award-winning work we do at Niagara College,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice-President, Research & External Relations. “Thanks to this investment in our research activities, we can significantly expand the collaborative work we do with local companies by bringing more researchers, students and industry partners together to address innovation challenges. The result will be the creation of more jobs for our graduates while contributing to economic growth in our region and beyond.”

Click here to read more.

Governments of Canada and Ontario support indigenous business

The Ontario government is providing $25 million over the next three years to support economic development in Indigenous communities. This funding will help Indigenous businesses and communities recover after the COVID-19 pandemic, modernize business processes, remove barriers for Indigenous people pursuing an apprenticeship, and provide training opportunities.

“Our government is proud to invest in Indigenous businesses, help create jobs, and support opportunities to modernize business practices in Indigenous communities across the province,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs.

The Government of Canada has also announced up to 50% loan forgiveness to support economic recovery of Indigenous businesses. These measures will benefit approximately 3,800 small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs across the country, and represent $82.5 million in loan forgiveness. Loans are administered through both NACCA’s network of financial institutions and through five Métis Capital Corporations.

United Way and Niagara College partner to grow local produce ‘with the community, for the community’

On the heels of World Food Day, Niagara College (NC) and United Way Niagara are excited to announce an expanded partnership that aims to increase food security in Niagara. The United Way Niagara Garden Hub, situated at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, is an expansive community garden that is supporting food programs locally and providing educational opportunities for residents.

“United Way had been looking for a space to grow food and improve affordable, healthy food access for marginalized people and families,” said Frances Hallworth, CEO United Way Niagara. “We are thrilled to partner with Niagara College on this monumental initiative that will help those in our community dealing with food insecurity and provide a communal hub for locals to gather, learn and grow together.”

Click here to read more.

Canada’s top doctor preparing for ‘worst-case scenario’ on COVID variants

Canada’s chief public health officer says she is preparing for “worst-case scenario” COVID-19 variants, as early signs show a fall resurgence of the virus. At the House of Commons health committee, Dr. Theresa Tam says the Public Health Agency of Canada is keeping a careful eye on the evolution of Omicron variants, which are the most common subvariants in the country.

Tam says in the early days of the pandemic the virus would mutate in all sorts of ways, because there was no immunity from previous infection or vaccines. Now, she says, the mutations have been constrained as the virus is pressured to find ways to evade immunity.

Click here to read more.

Canadian businesses reported spending $10 billion on cyber security in 2021

The percentage of businesses that reported spending some money to detect or prevent cyber security incidents remained relatively the same in 2021 (61%) compared with 2019 (62%). However, the amount of money Canadian businesses spent to detect or prevent cyber security incidents increased by roughly $2.8 billion in 2021 to $9.7 billion when compared with 2019.

In 2021, just under one-fifth (18%) of Canadian businesses were impacted by cyber security incidents, compared with 21% of Canadian businesses in both 2019 and 2017 that were impacted. This varied significantly by business size, with 16% of small businesses (10 to 49 employees), 25% of medium businesses (50 to 249 employees), and 37% of large businesses (250 or more employees) reporting being impacted by cyber security incidents in 2021.

The most common types of cyber security incidents identified by business in 2021 were incidents to steal money or demand ransom payments (7%) and incidents to steal personal or financial data (6%). More than one-third (39%) of Canadian businesses impacted by cyber security incidents indicated that there was no clear motive.

Click here to read more.

Niagara Economic Summit

Keith Gowans of Aloft to offer innovative solutions to housing crisis at Summit

Increasing our housing supply is fraught with contradictions. How do we build more homes without infringing on greenspace? How do we build upward and increase density while preserving the character of neighbourhoods?

Keith Gowans, former COO of Habitat for Humanity Niagara and now with Aloft Housing, focuses on these problems, invigorating and intensifying the urban core by offering unique housing solutions. Aloft specializes in putting unconventional urban spaces to work with compact living environments, finding ways to build smarter, make better use of space, and increase density on the land we have.

Join Keith at the Niagara Economic Summit to hear his strategies for fresh thinking in the market and how Niagara can innovate its way out of the housing crunch.

Contact us to submit your questions for Keith in advance.

Click here for tickets to this year’s Niagara Economic Summit.

Focus on Finance & Economy

BoC to dial down size of rate rises again but not done yet: Reuters poll

The Bank of Canada will raise its overnight rate by 50 basis points on Oct. 26, a smaller amount than at previous meetings, but will get rates to an even higher peak than expected last month, according to economists polled by Reuters.

The expected move at the BoC’s next meeting would be the second consecutive reduction in the size of rate rises after a 100 basis point move in July and 75 basis points last month.

In the meantime, the risk of an economic slump is rising. The survey showed around a 50% probability of a recession over the coming 12 and 24 months, a significant upgrade from 35% and 40% predicted just three months ago.

Click here to read more.

Growing debt could threaten stability as rates rise, says Bank of Canada’s Rogers

The Bank of Canada is closely monitoring debt burdens being shouldered across the economy over concerns they could become a threat to financial stability as interest rates rise, senior deputy governor Carolyn Rogers said this week, an acknowledgement of the balancing act the central bank faces as it combats inflation.

“The two (financial stability risks) that come to mind and the two that I think are still on our minds at the federal level would be leverage and liquidity, so high levels of debt,” Rogers said during an Oct. 17 Toronto Centre panel discussion in Toronto. “This is at the consumer level, corporate level and at the sovereign level, and that is also at the domestic and international level.”

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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