In this edition:
- Ontario invests $6.9m in female workforce
- Chambers of Commerce welcome lifting of border restrictions
- Ontario preparing to expand health and benefits coverage
- Meridian donates $25K to Red Cross to support Canadians affected by Hurricane Fiona
- Ontario Launches Clean Home Heating Initiative
Ontario invests $6.9m in female workforce
The Ontario government is investing $6.9 million over the next three years to expand and enhance the Investing in Women’s Futures program. The program, which provides resources and training opportunities to help women develop in-demand skills for jobs, is being expanded to up to 10 new centres and further funding is being provided to the 23 centres currently offering the program.
The Investing in Women’s Futures program provides employment training opportunities and supports for women facing social and economic barriers, including abuse and isolation, so they can overcome barriers, increase well-being, build skills and gain employment. The new service delivery sites will be selected through a call for applications, which is now open to eligible organizations until Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
Chambers of Commerce welcome lifting of border restrictions
In a media release, the GNCC has welcomed the Government of Canada’s recent decision to ease Canadian border crossings and promote tourism and trade by lifting the requirement for the COVID-19 vaccine and making the ArriveCAN app optional.
“The ArriveCAN app has caused huge slowdowns at the border and been a deterrent to tourist traffic,” said Mishka Balsom, CEO of the GNCC. “We were one of many voices, including chambers of commerce, tourism associations, bridge commissions, and labour organizations, asking for these to be relaxed. The Government of Canada has shown flexibility and responsiveness in its decision.”
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce echoed the sentiment. In a statement, the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, remarked that “the lifting of COVID-19 requirements at the border and on planes and trains is extremely welcome news for Canadians and businesses.
“We are at a very different stage of the pandemic, and the continued use of outdated travel regulations prolonged the struggle of businesses across the country who have lost billions due to the pandemic, especially those in the hardest hit sectors, such as travel and tourism.
“While the changes are late in coming, we are pleased to see the government bring Canada back into line with the rest of the international community and implement policy based on the best available science.”
Ontario preparing to expand health and benefits coverage
The Ontario government is seeking public feedback as it moves forward with plans to expand benefits like health, dental, prescription drug and vision care to more workers who need coverage. Results from an online public survey will inform the design and implementation of a proposed benefits plan that would make Ontario the first province in Canada to cover millions of precarious workers in sectors such as retail, the gig economy and hospitality.
Public feedback is open until December 16th and will help determine the Portable Benefits Advisory Panel‘s recommendations, expected in Summer 2023.
Meridian donates $25K to Red Cross to support Canadians affected by Hurricane Fiona
Meridian is responding to support Eastern Canadians affected by Hurricane Fiona with a donation of $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross. These funds will help Red Cross deliver urgent relief efforts including interim housing, clothing, food, and other essential supplies.
Employee donations made to the Red Cross’s Fiona in Canada Appeal will be matched up to $1,000 per employee through Meridian’s My Commitment to Communities Program. Employee donations will get an additional boost from the government of Canada which is also matching donations from Canadians and corporations up to October 23, 2022.
Canadians wishing to make a financial donation to help those impacted by Hurricane Fiona can do so online at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111, by texting FIONA to 20222 to make a $10 donation.
Ontario Launches Clean Home Heating Initiative
The Ontario government is providing up to $4.5 million through the Clean Home Heating Initiative to bring hybrid heating to up to 1,000 households in St. Catharines, London, Peterborough, and Sault Ste. Marie. The Clean Home Heating Initiative will support the installation of electric heat pumps with smart controls by providing homeowners with incentives of up to $4,500.
“The Clean Home Heating Initiative is a great opportunity for homeowners to do their part to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy conservation, and address the impacts of climate change,” said St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik. “Thank you to Minister Smith, Premier Ford and the provincial government, as well as the partners at Enbridge for providing opportunities to invest in more affordable energy efficient solutions that assist in carbon reduction.”
Focus on Finance & Economy
Central banks are tightening in a ‘synchronized, but uncoordinated’ manner: Economist
Yahoo! Finance
EY-Parthenon Chief Economist Greg Daco breaks down the recession indicators across American and European markets, the Fed’s economic and employment challenges amid inflation, and supply-demand rebalances.
Average salary in Canada could jump 4.2% next year, employers project
Canadian Press/Global News
Canadian employers are anticipating the highest salary increase in two decades as they try to balance inflationary pressures, surging interest rates, recession risks and a tight labour market, a new survey has found.
According to the report by consulting firm Eckler Ltd., the national average base salary increase for next year is projected at 4.2 per cent, excluding planned salary freezes, which parallels 2022 actual base salary increases. Projected salary increases for 2022 was lower than the actual figures.
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.
