Daily Update: February 23

February 23, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Cave Spring Cellars CEO Len Pennachetti appointed Member of the Order of Canada
  • Business investment per worker fell 20% in 15 years amid weaker competition: StatCan
  • Financial sector posts strong gains in Q4 2023 reporting
  • St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program applications rolling out for 2024 cycle
  • Brock program inspires future Black leaders in local high schools
  • NPCA moving headquarters from Welland to Thorold
  • Grimsby budget gets final approval
  • Battle brewing over Pelham development charge increase
  • Second-highest volume in decade for HOPA ports in longest-ever shipping season
  • Liberals and NDP reach deal on pharmacare
  • Applications for Youth Employment and Skills Program to open
  • Focus on Retail

Cave Spring Cellars CEO Len Pennachetti appointed Member of the Order of Canada

Yesterday, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, invested 1 Companion (C.C.), 17 Officers (O.C.) and 42 Members (C.M.) into the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall. The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest honours. Appointments are made for sustained achievement at three levels: Companion, Officer and Member. Officers and Members may be elevated within the Order in recognition of further achievements, based on continued exceptional or extraordinary service to Canada.

Among the new members is Beamsville-based Len Pennachetti, whose insightful leadership has substantially benefited Canada’s wine industry. Co-founder and CEO of Cave Spring Cellars, he turned the family business into a staple of Niagara’s hospitality industry. He further bolstered tourism through municipal revitalization efforts and by sharing his vision on regional boards. Recognizing the need for a quality-driven appellation system, he was instrumental in establishing VQA Ontario and steered the authority for a decade. He has also fostered the sector’s development as a long-standing director of Ontario Craft Wineries, Wine Growers Canada, and the International Riesling Foundation.

Click here to read more.

Business investment per worker fell 20% in 15 years amid weaker competition: StatCan

Canadian business investment per worker plummeted by 20 per cent over a 15-year stretch, according to new Statistics Canada research that suggests weaker competition is partly to blame.

The report finds for every worker, businesses invested $628.80 less in their companies in 2021 than they did in 2006.

The decline was more significant in large and medium-sized companies and foreign-controlled businesses, though it’s unclear why that was the case.

The report attributes nearly one-third of the drop to declining entry rates, or the number of new companies starting up by industry.

Click here to read more.

Click here to read more.

St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program applications rolling out for 2024 cycle

St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP) applications are open for the 2024 funding cycle. With important deadlines approaching, cultural organizations, arts initiatives, and festival producers are encouraged to apply for funding to support their creative endeavours.

SCCIP offers six program streams tailored to specific priorities, eligibility criteria, and evaluation standards.

Click here to read more.

Brock program inspires future Black leaders in local high schools

When Sali Moieldin (MA ’23) visits with high school students, she shares powerful examples from history while providing inspiration for the future.

As Learning Skills Specialist, Access and Inclusion with Brock’s Learning Services team, Moieldin is spending February teaching dozens of students at four local high schools about Black History Month/African Heritage Month and encouraging them to think about their own plans.

Click here to read more.

NPCA moving headquarters from Welland to Thorold

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority is celebrating its 65th anniversary in April by, among other things, opening a new head office in Thorold.

The authority’s board of directors agreed at its Feb. 16 meeting to move its annual general meeting to April 19 where they will help to “celebrate a major milestone” at the new location at 3350 Merrittville Hwy., across the street from the Canada Games facility.

Click here to read more.

Grimsby budget gets final approval

Town of Grimsby council formally approved the town’s 2024 operating budget on Feb. 20.

The local levy increases 4.95 per cent this year. Blended with regional and education taxes, the average hike for a home valued at $442,000 in 2016 will be about $222 (the Grimsby portion of the increase is $67).

Click here to read more.

Battle brewing over Pelham development charge increase

Wednesday’s Pelham Town Council meeting was dominated by discussion of radical alterations to the Town’s development charge system, with Mayor Marvin Junkin declaring that he wouldn’t support the changes as proposed.

Meeting as Committee of the Whole, councillors received a presentation from consultant Byron Tan of Watson & Associates, who was tasked with navigating a new proposal in the wake of the Ford government’s controversial Bill 23 – which will negatively impact all Ontario municipalities’ ability to collect revenues.

Click here to read more.

2023 sees second-highest volume in decade for HOPA ports in longest-ever shipping season

HOPA Ports has released results for the 2023 navigation season, reporting a combined total cargo of 11,293,179 metric tonnes (MT) through the ports of Hamilton and Oshawa. The 2023 total was a 9% increase from 2022, marking the second-highest volume in the past decade. The season saw a total of 665 vessels, with 603 in Hamilton and 62 in Oshawa, taking advantage of the longest ever Seaway shipping season.

Commodities transiting the Ports of Hamilton and Oshawa represent approximately 30% of total cargoes transiting the Canada-US Great-Lakes Seaway system. HOPA’s cargo totals rose by 9% in 2023 versus a 3.38% increase in system cargo as a whole.

Click here to read more.

Liberals and NDP reach deal on pharmacare

The Liberals and the NDP have reached a deal to table pharmacare framework legislation, quelling the back-and-forth from recent months that failure to reach an agreement on the issue could put the parties’ confidence-and-supply agreement at risk.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confirmed the news to CTV News on Friday, calling the draft legislation “historic.”

Click here to read more.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announce applications for the Youth Employment and Skills Program to open

On Feb. 22, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, announced funding of approximately $13.5 million to support a new application intake under the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP). The initiative will provide the agricultural sector with help needed to support approximately 1,200 jobs for youth in the sector.

The YESP offers support for 50% of wages up to a maximum of $14,000 to agriculture employers hiring Canadian youth. Employers that hire youth facing employment barriers will be eligible for 80% of the cost of salaries and benefits (to a maximum of $14,000) and may be eligible for an additional $5,000 to address specific obstacles to employment.

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

100 billion items of clothing are manufactured every year.

Focus on Retail

How the grocery supply chain works, from wheat fields to what’s next

Over the past year, the CEOs of Canada’s biggest grocery chains have become familiar faces to lawmakers studying food prices.

Executives have faced questions from MPs and battled accusations of profiteering as their earnings rise.

But experts say the main factors that have driven grocery prices up over the past couple of years are global.

“The supply chains we have depended on for many decades now have come under massive stresses over the last five years — COVID, conflict, climate change being the most notable examples of big global macro stresses — and that is translated into broad-based inflation for all goods across the global economy,” said Evan Fraser, director of the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph.

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.

Share this:

Daily Update: February 22

February 22, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Government of Ontario to reverse OEB decision on payment for gas connections
  • Car and parts retailers see growth as retail trade picks up
  • NPCA purchases 18 hectares of land in Pelham
  • Toronto receives $114M funding bonus after exceeding 2023 housing targets
  • Number of EI claimants up almost 15% year-over-year
  • Niagara-on-the-Lake study of Rand Estate area won’t impact OLT decision: planner
  • Dollarama reaches $2.5M settlement in class-action suit over pricing
  • Canadians’ grocery shopping habits increasingly driven by discounts and deals: report
  • Residential builder assn calls on federal government to help first-time new home buyers
  • Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Government of Ontario to reverse Electricity Board decision requiring up-front payment for natural gas connections

Today, the Ontario government introduced legislation that, if passed, would reverse a December 2023 decision by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to require residential customers and small businesses to pay 100 per cent of the cost of new natural gas connections upfront. These costs would have previously been paid over forty years.

The Province states that reversing this decision will prevent an average of $4,400 being added to the price of new homes, or tens of thousands of dollars being added to the price of a home in rural Ontario.

Click here to read more.

Car and parts retailers see growth as retail trade picks up

Retail sales increased 0.9% to $67.3 billion in December, Statistics Canada reported today. Sales were up in five of nine subsectors and were led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.9%).

Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 0.5% in December.

In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.8% in December.

Click here to read more.

Click here to read more.

Toronto receives $114M funding bonus after exceeding 2023 housing targets

Today, Premier Doug Ford announced Ontario is providing Toronto with $114 million in funding through the Building Faster Fund after the city exceeded its 2023 housing target. Toronto broke ground on a total of 31,656 new housing units last year, unlocking an additional $38 million by exceeding their 2023 target by 51 per cent.

“Toronto has shown it can get it done on housing and we are proud to reward them for their success,” said Premier Doug Ford.

Click here to read more.

Number of EI claimants up almost 15% year-over-year

There were 464,000 Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in December, up 6,600 (+1.4%) from November, new data released today shows. On a year-over-year basis, the total number of regular EI beneficiaries increased by 60,000 (+14.8%).

Data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) show that the unemployment rate held steady at 5.8% in December, following increases in six of the previous seven months. From April to November, the unemployment rate rose by 0.7 percentage points.

Click here to read more.

Niagara-on-the-Lake study of Rand Estate area won’t impact OLT decision, planner says

Recommendations contained in a final character study report for the Rand Estate and John Street East will not impact a residential development application that owner Solomar Inc. appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

The study, which includes 200 John St. E.; 588 and 580 Charlotte St.; 144, 176 and 210 John St.; 9 Weatherstone Ct., and the Weatherstone Street and Christopher Street development, was approved by town council in December 2021, to define the area’s character and identify policies and criteria to “guide change” over time.

Click here to read more.

Dollarama reaches $2.5M settlement in class-action suit over pricing

Dollarama has reached a $2.5 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over the advertising of prices on its products. Customers who purchased products subject to an eco fee — such as batteries, electronics, light bulbs or toys with batteries — may be eligible to claim a gift card.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit alleged that the discount retailer did not properly display the price of products subject to an Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) and charged a total price or EHF higher than displayed or allowed by law.

Click here to read more.

Canadians’ grocery shopping habits increasingly driven by discounts and deals: report

Almost two-thirds of Canadians say they have switched their primary grocery store in the past year to score better deals.

A new survey by Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab and marketing insights firm Caddle found that almost 30% of respondents exclusively choose their grocery stores based on in-store discounts and promotions.

While in-store, the report found that almost 60% of Canadians consistently seek discounted food products, with preferences for discounts on expiring or clearance items.

Click here to read more.

Residential builder association calls on federal government to help first-time new home buyers

The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) is recommending that the federal government rebate the HST to first-time buyers who purchase a new home and bring back initiatives from years ago to encourage re-investment by builders.

“Immediate action is needed as we are in a crisis that is likely to get worse. First-time buyers are leaving our cities in droves because they’ve been priced out of the market,” says RESCON president Richard Lyall. “The measures we are suggesting would boost supply and help homebuilders construct housing that is financially viable and affordable. We cannot simply sit on our hands and hope for the best as the challenge facing our industry is formidable.”

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

The average Canadian generates over 25kg of e-waste – discarded electronics – every year.

Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusive language: how to use and promote it at your organization

Language has the ability to build relationships and forge connections, but it’s equally liable for creating barriers and impacting someone’s sense of belonging.

Using inclusive language, and having workplace conversations devoid of exclusive language, means employees are more likely to feel like they belong and can be their authentic selves at work.

Here we’ll explore what inclusive language is and provide examples to ensure you create an inclusive workplace and inclusive marketing material.

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.

Share this:

Daily Update: February 20

February 20, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Rate of inflation falls to 2.9%
  • Ontario omnibus bill ‘Get It Done Act’ to contain urban boundary changes
  • Business innovation rate dropped during pandemic years: StatCan
  • Petition circulating against re-establishing downtown Niagara Falls BIA under present city council
  • Welland residents opposed to Heron Street housing development
  • Loblaw to expand network, introduce 40 new discount stores this year
  • Chamber chief economist appointed to Canadian Statistics Advisory Council
  • United Nations observes World Day of Social Justice
  • Focus on Finance & Economy

Rate of inflation falls to 2.9%

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9% on a year-over-year basis in January, following a 3.4% gain in December. The largest contributor to headline deceleration was lower year-over-year prices for gasoline in January (-4.0%) compared with December (+1.4%). Excluding gasoline, headline CPI slowed to 3.2% year over year in January, down from the 3.5% growth in December.

Price growth for food purchased from stores slowed year over year in January (+3.4%) compared with December (+4.7%), putting downward pressure on the all-items CPI. Lower prices for airfares and travel tours also contributed to the headline deceleration.

Prices of products manufactured in Canada, as measured by the Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI), edged down 0.1% month over month in January and were 2.9% lower than in January 2023.

Click here to read more.

Ontario omnibus bill ‘Get It Done Act’ to contain urban boundary changes

Ontario’s municipal affairs and housing minister says an omnibus bill being introduced today will include changes to some urban boundaries that municipalities themselves requested.

Paul Calandra last year reversed changes the government imposed on urban boundaries and municipal official plans, one of several policy reversals in his ministry after he assumed the post in September. Some regions and municipalities had spoken out over the changes, saying the extra land wasn’t needed to build more housing.

Calandra reversed those forced expansions and told municipalities to submit any changes they wanted to see, and he now says those changes will be reflected in legislation today.

Click here to read more.

Click here to read more.

Petition circulating against re-establishing downtown Niagara Falls BIA under present city council

A Niagara Falls businessman says he’s creating a petition he hopes will receive widespread support from downtown merchants to ensure a business improvement association in the district doesn’t rematerialize — at least not during the current term of city council.

“I’m going to make sure that the city knows that there are enough Queen Street members that do not want the BIA restored,” said Joedy Burdett, who owns a tinting business on Bridge Street.

Niagara Falls city council dissolved the embattled organization last March. After meeting behind closed doors to receive advice subject to solicitor-client privilege, council ratified in open session a repeal of a bylaw to establish the downtown BIA board of management and assume all assets and liabilities of the organization.

Click here to read more.

Welland residents opposed to Heron Street housing development

Twenty-five two-storey townhouses and a seven-storey residential apartment building with commercial space aren’t welcome in a southwest Welland neighbourhood.

Residents near the proposal at Heron Street and South Pelham Road voiced opposition to the project that was before city council last week for information purposes only.

Upper Canada Consultants planning manager Wiliam Heikoopof, making a presentation on behalf of 1454417 Ontario Ltd., said the developer is seeking official plan and zoning bylaw changes to allow for the townhouses and apartment building.

Click here to read more.

Loblaw to expand network, introduce 40 new discount stores this year

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is significantly growing its store network this year as part of a record $2 billion capital investment plan.

That includes more than 40 new stores, the expansion or relocation of an additional 10 stores and renovations to more than 700 existing banner locations.

Loblaw says the expansion will create more than 7,500 jobs.

Click here to read more.

Chamber chief economist appointed to Canadian Statistics Advisory Council

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, has announced the appointments of four new members of the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council for three-year terms. The independent advisory council has a mandate to advise the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Chief Statistician of Canada on the overall quality of the national statistical system.

Among the new members is Dr. Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Tapp has worked for more than 20 years at many of Canada’s top economic organizations, the Bank of Canada, the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the Department of Finance Canada and several think tanks, as well as in academia. He holds a PhD and an MA in economics from Queen’s University and is an award-winning researcher in Canadian economic policy.

Click here to read more.

United Nations observes World Day of Social Justice

World Day of Social Justice reminds us each year of the need to build fairer, more equitable societies. Momentum is growing for the concept that advancing social justice should be the central aim guiding all national and international policies. This idea has gained traction among proponents who argue it enables societies and economies to function more cohesively when social justice is prioritized.

Supporters contend that promoting decent work and a fair globalization agenda focused on fundamental rights, employment opportunities, social protections, and constructive social dialogue between governments, employers, and workers is key to putting social justice at the core.

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

Around 187,200 tonnes of gold has been mined since the beginning of civilization.

Focus on Finance & Economy

Stock market today: Tech stocks lead market slide with Nvidia earnings on deck

US stocks closed in the red on Tuesday as investors looked to big retailer earnings to provide insight into consumer resilience amid doubts about the odds of a “soft landing.”

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite led the declines, dropping nearly 1%. The S&P 500 fell about 0.6%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped roughly 0.2% after the three gauges closed a turbulent week lower.

Earnings are front of mind as markets reopen after the Presidents’ Day break, with quarterly reports from leading US retailers Walmart and Home Depot provided a mixed picture. Shares of Home Depot dipped after it signaled demand has failed to pick up amid “sticky” inflation, while Walmart jumped as its upbeat sales outlook and dividend increase boosted the mood.

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.

Share this:

Daily Update: February 14

February 14, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Home sales showing signs of recovery: Real Estate Association
  • Vineland-based Tawse Winery takes bronze in WSIB Health and Safety Awards
  • St. Catharines receives $5.6 million in upgrades from Alectra Utilities
  • Meridian recognized by Forbes as one of Canada’s Best Employers in 2024
  • Grimsby town council whittles down tax increase
  • St. Catharines reports positive year-end update on grants and funding for 2023
  • Tower crane touches the sky from South Niagara Hospital site
  • NDP to move bill calling for ban of coal exports as Canadian output booms
  • Government of Canada proposes doubling rural Carbon Rebate top-up
  • Focus on Climate

Home sales showing signs of recovery: Real Estate Association

Following a weak second half of 2023, home sales over the last two months are showing signs of recovery, according to the latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

Home sales activity recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems rose 3.7% between December 2023 and January 2024, building on the 7.9% month-over-month increase recorded the month prior. While activity is now back on par with 2023’s relatively stronger months recorded over the spring and summer, it begins 2024 about 9% below the 10-year average.

Click here to read more.

Vineland-based Tawse Winery takes bronze in WSIB Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards

Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced the winners of its annual Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards. The awards recognize and celebrate small businesses that demonstrate exemplary health and safety practices and go the extra mile to keep their employees and customers safe, it said.

Tawse Winery, a Vineland family-owned winery and distillery, refreshed their health and safety program and created new policies, ensuring employees are set up to succeed by clearly defining health and safety roles and responsibilities and creating a culture of accountability.

Launched in 2017, the WSIB’s Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards recognize the health and safety achievements of small businesses in Ontario. Any Ontario small business with fewer than 50 employees is eligible to apply. A total of 197 businesses applied for the awards in 2023. Winners receive a cash prize.

Click here to read more.

In 2023, Alectra invested $5.6 million to construct and renew infrastructure, which will improve power reliability across the City of St. Catharines. This significant investment is part of Alectra’s ongoing commitment to modernize the city’s power grid and enhance reliability as the demand for electricity continues to rise.

With parts of St. Catharines’ system reaching the end of its life cycle, renewing the deteriorating infrastructure is imperative to maintain reliability. This series of infrastructure upgrades will stabilize the existing system and reduce outage impacts in the community.

Click here to read more.

Meridian Credit Union recognized by Forbes as one of Canada’s Best Employers in 2024

Meridian is proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of Canada’s Best Employers for 2024. Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to compile the annual list, surveying more than 40,000 people working for Canadian companies and institutions with at least 500 employees.

“As part of our Meridian for Good strategy, we are committed to building and growing an inclusive and diverse team that is equipped to achieve their best life,” said Patty Johns, Meridian’s Chief People and Culture Officer, “this means taking the time to understand what is important to our employees, investing in them, and being there for them.”

Click here to read more.

Grimsby town council whittles down tax increase

Grimsby homeowners are looking at a 4.01 per cent increase on their combined municipal property tax bill this year.

During Monday’s budget committee of the whole meeting, town councillors spent more than three hours discussing and trimming 2024 operating and capital budgets, eventually reducing the local levy increase to 4.95 per cent from from 5.2 per cent.

Blended with Niagara Region and school board taxes, the average increase for a home valued at $442,000 in 2016 will be about $222 (the town portion of the increase is $67).

Click here to read more.

St. Catharines reports positive year-end update on grants and funding for 2023

The City of St. Catharines reports the successful evaluation, application, and receipt of grants and funding totaling $30,356,614 for 2023.

These funds have played a pivotal role in advancing various projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing the City’s infrastructure, services, and quality of life for residents.

Grant opportunities, comprising federal, provincial, and private funding sources, have been meticulously pursued by the City’s Grant Committee, which meets regularly to strategize and collaborate on potential opportunities. In 2023 alone, City staff applied for nearly $112 million worth of funding; a proactive approach to securing financial support for key initiatives.

Click here to read more.

Tower crane touches the sky from South Niagara Hospital site

It arrived in pieces on multiple tractor-trailer rigs and required a few days to assemble, but there is now a tower crane on the South Niagara Hospital site. Standing 52 metres tall, it is the first of four cranes to be installed over the next few months, and used in building the 1.3-million-square-foot hospital.

The building itself has a footprint of only 23,225 square metres, a design feature that will help with walkability, accessibility and wayfinding, but it will stand an impressive 12-storeys. At 61 metres, the South Niagara Hospital will be one of the taller buildings in Niagara Falls, visible from kilometres away.

Click here to read more.

NDP to move bill calling for ban of coal exports as Canadian output booms

Canadian exports of the kind of coal used to make electricity hit an eight-year high in 2022, even as the Liberals have promised to work on banning exports completely by the end of the decade.

The Liberals made the promise during the 2021 election and it was listed in Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault’s mandate letter that December.

In the year that followed, Canada exported more than eight million tonnes of domestically produced thermal coal, a 60 per cent increase over 2021 and more than eight times what was exported in 2018.

Click here to read more.

Government of Canada proposes doubling rural Carbon Rebate top-up

Today, the federal government announced the Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for 2024-25. In addition to the base Canada Carbon Rebate amounts, starting this year, the federal government is proposing, through legislative amendments in Bill C-59, to double the rural top-up to 20 per cent, in recognition of rural Canadians’ higher energy needs and more limited access to cleaner transportation options.

The Canada Carbon Rebate (previously known as the Climate Action Incentive Payment) returns fuel charge proceeds to Canadians through direct deposit or cheque, every three months, ensuring most households get more money back, with lower-income households benefiting the most.

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

Until 1929, U.S. banks were permitted to issue their own banknotes. At their peak, 7,000 different banknote designs were in circulation.

Focus on Climate

Climate change is hitting Ontario’s farms hard. Why won’t the government talk about it?

By the 2050s, Ontario farmers may no longer be able to grow certain varieties of apples or wine grapes, “regardless of how quickly greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.” By the 2080s, prolonged heat waves could kill a quarter of the province’s cows and pigs.

Those bleak predictions are some of the dozens of risks of global heating listed in a recent province-wide study the Doug Ford government has so far avoided sharing with Ontarians.

The 534-page report, called the Provincial Climate Change Impact Assessment, uses the government’s own data to show that Ontarians’ food, homes and health are at very high risk of harm within the next few decades — particularly if responding and adapting to a rapidly-changing climate doesn’t happen immediately.

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.

Share this:

Daily Update: February 13

February 13, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Government of Ontario to legislate referendum requirement for carbon pricing
  • GNCC successfully lobbies for Municipal Development Corporation in St. Catharines
  • Minister was warned about possible negative impacts of lifting international student work limit
  • Government of Ontario will not appeal Bill 124 decision
  • Canadian Chamber “surprised and disappointed” at lack of standalone competition bill
  • Ontario projects $4.5B deficit in 2023–24, less than projected in 2023
  • Nominations open for 2024 Niagara Impact Awards
  • Lincoln to consider short-term rental licensing, seeks public input
  • Ontario licence plate renewals to be scrapped
  • Focus on Finance & Economy

Government of Ontario to legislate referendum requirement for carbon pricing programs

The Ontario government is introducing legislation that, if passed, would require the government to first obtain the consent of Ontario voters through a referendum before implementing a new provincial carbon tax, cap-and-trade system or other carbon pricing program.

“With the Bank of Canada’s high interest rates and the cost of living still so high, it’s never been more important to keep costs down for people and businesses,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I’ve always said, the carbon tax is the worst tax.”

This measure is part of upcoming legislation that will kick off the spring sitting of the legislature on February 20, 2024.

Click here to read more.

GNCC successfully lobbies for Municipal Development Corporation in St. Catharines

Yesterday evening, GNCC CEO Mishka Balsom made a delegation to St. Catharines City Council in support of the creation of a Municipal Development Corporation (MDC). An MDC is an arm’s-length corporation to manage the city’s real estate portfolio, fully transparent and accountable to City Council. It lets the City deal more easily and efficiently with developers and promotes the use of the City’s land for housing, industry, and commerce.

The GNCC is happy to report that Council approved this stage of MDC development and will move to the next. This is part of the agreement for the City receiving $25.7M in federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) money, and HAF will fund the MDC for the first four years of its existence, after which the organization should be self-funding.

Click here to read more.

Photo credit: Collision Conf.

Allowing international students to work more than 20 hours a week could distract from their studies and undermine the objective of temporary foreign worker programs, public servants warned the federal government in 2022.

The caution came in documents prepared for former immigration minister Sean Fraser as Ottawa looked at waiving the restriction on the number of hours international students could work off-campus — a policy the Liberals eventually implemented.

Click here to read more.

Government of Ontario will not appeal Bill 124 decision, plans to exempt non-unionized and non-associated workers

The Government of Ontario announced that it will not appeal yesterday’s Court of Appeal decision and will instead take steps to repeal Bill 124 in its entirety in the coming weeks.

To solve what the government called “the inequality of workers created by today’s court decision,” the province will urgently introduce regulations to exempt non-unionized and non-associated workers from Bill 124 until it is repealed.

Click here to read more.

Canadian Chamber “surprised and disappointed” that government did not develop standalone competition bill

In a joint letter to Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce said that it, and its fellow signatories, were “surprised and disappointed that, just hours after releasing the consultation paper, [the] government opted not to develop “well-calibrated proposals for Parliamentary consideration” through a stand-alone competition bill.”

Signatories included the Business Council of Canada, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canadian Marketing Association, and Retail Council of Canada.

“We urge the government to go back to the drawing board,” the letter concluded. “The government should remove the proposed Competition Act changes in Bill C-59 and recommit to its promised stakeholder consultation process to ensure a modernized Act truly benefits all Canadians. ”

Click here to read more.

Ontario projects $4.5B deficit in 2023–24, $1.1B less than in 2023 Fall Economic Statement

Today, the government released the 2023–24 Third Quarter Finances, to provide an update on Ontario’s economic and fiscal outlook since the release of the 2023 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review (also referred to as the Fall Economic Statement, or FES).

While inflation-related pressure has eased slightly across the province, high interest rates and unpredictable consumer price inflation continue to pose risks to the province’s economic outlook. In spite of this, Ontario’s economy is expected to see continued growth in 2024.

The 2023–24 Third Quarter Finances projects a deficit of $4.5 billion in 2023–24, an improvement of $1.1 billion compared to the outlook published in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement. The improvement to the deficit is primarily due to increased revenue and lower interest on debt expense. The 2023 Budget published in March 2023 projected a deficit of $1.3 billion.

Click here to read more.

Nominations open for 2024 Niagara Impact Awards

Nominations for the 2024 Niagara Impact Awards are now open.

Established in 2021, the Regional Chair’s Niagara Impact Awards recognize community members and organizations who have made significant efforts to help build a more resilient and welcoming region.

Residents are encouraged visit niagararegion.ca to complete a nomination for an individual, business or non-profit organization that has shown community spirit while demonstrating the value of volunteerism.

Click here to read more.

Lincoln to consider short-term rental licensing, seeks public input

The Town of Lincoln is considering amendments to the existing Zoning By-law provisions and the implementation of a Licensing By-Law propose to regulate and license Short-Term Accommodations (STA) for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of persons residing in residential properties, minimizing potential impacts to surrounding properties and neighbourhoods, and to protect the residential character and stability of residential areas within the Town.

View the project webpage at SpeakUpLincoln.ca for further information. The Town encourages all members of the public to attend the meeting to provide valuable feedback.

Click here to read more.

Photo credit: Dillan Payne

Ontario licence plate renewals to be scrapped

After the Toronto Star reported more than one million drivers in Ontario were riding around with expired licence plates, Premier Doug Ford said he’s going to scrap licence plate renewals altogether.

Ford spoke to reporters at a Mississauga gas station Tuesday, Feb. 13 morning, where he said the legislative change will happen soon.

Until that happens, drivers must still renew their licence plates every two years. Drivers face a fine of up to $1,000 for failing to do so.

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

The first known reference to insurance policies is found in the Code of Hammurabi, written between 1755 and 1750 BCE.

Focus on Finance & Economy

U.S. inflation slows but remains elevated in sign that price pressures are easing only gradually

Annual inflation in the United States cooled last month yet remained elevated in the latest sign that the pandemic-fueled price surge is only gradually and fitfully coming under control.

Tuesday’s report from the U.S. Labor Department showed that the consumer price index rose 0.3 per cent from December to January, up from a 0.2 per cent increase the previous month. Compared with a year ago, prices are up 3.1 per cent.

That is less than the 3.4 per cent figure in December and far below the 9.1 per cent inflation peak in mid-2022. Yet the latest reading is still well above the U.S. Federal Reserve’s two per cent target level at a time when public frustration with inflation has become a pivotal issue in President Joe Biden’s bid for re-election.

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.

Share this:

Daily Update: February 12

February 12, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Niagara unemployment rate edges down while labour market participation drops
  • Doug Ford’s wage restraint legislation is unconstitutional, appeal court finds
  • Ontario invests additional $16.5M in Black Youth Action Plan
  • 407 ETR warns customers to beware of scam using fraudulent phishing texts
  • Reeling B.C. wineries turn to Ontario for help filling the gap
  • Conservation Ontario and Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative sign Memorandum of Collaboration
  • Skills Ontario’s Howcroft optimistic about trades growth, apprenticeship programs
  • Government departments ignored management practices, failed to oversee ArriveCan app: Auditor General
  • Focus on Retail

Niagara unemployment rate edges down while labour market participation drops

Niagara’s unemployment rate ticked downward from 7.3% to 7.2% in January, Statistics Canada reported, while the participation rate (the percentage of the population either working or actively seeking work) fell from 61.9% to 60.6%. The overall size of the labour force dropped to 235,300 as 4,500 net workers left the workforce.

National employment increased by 37,000 in January, following three months of little change. The employment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 61.6%, as population growth (+0.4%) outpaced employment growth (+0.2%).

The unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 5.7%, the first decline since December 2022.

Click here to read more.

Click here to access Statistics Canada’s interactive Labour Force Survey app.

In a victory for nurses, teachers and thousands of unionized public sector workers, Ontario’s top court has upheld a ruling that Premier Doug Ford’s wage restraint legislation is unconstitutional.

The Court of Appeal released a long-awaited decision Monday finding the Progressive Conservative government infringed upon Charter rights to collective bargaining with Bill 124.

Click here to read more.

Ontario invests additional $16.5M in Black Youth Action Plan

The Ontario government is investing an additional $16.5 million in the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) to continue supporting more than 20 community-based and culturally focused organizations with a proven track record of empowering Black children and families. The funding, through the BYAP’s Economic Empowerment stream, will help Black youth and young professionals develop skills to help launch their careers in high-demand sectors such as the skilled trades, information technology, automotive, health, film and the arts.
Click here to read more.

407 ETR warns customers to beware of scam using fraudulent texts phishing for payment

407 ETR has issued a warning about scammers sending fake payment requests via text messages.

The phishing scam involves text messages impersonating the company asking recipients to click on a payment link, according to the company.

While 407 ETR does issue payment reminder texts to customers who have an outstanding balance, the legitimate messages contain a link to 407 ETR’s secure website to pay, and never a direct payment link.

Click here to read more.

Reeling B.C. wineries turn to Ontario for help filling the gap

Some B.C. wineries, facing more crippling winter damage to wide swaths of vineyards, are looking east to Ontario for help.

Frank Neufeld, who owns and operates the Niagara Wine Exchange, sent an email to his list of customers asking if anyone can offer Niagara wine to select B.C. wineries. The wine exchange matches those who have wine to sell with those in need of it.

“I’m sure you heard about the second devastating frost that happened back in mid-January in the Okanagan Valley in B.C.,” Neufeld wrote.

Click here to read more.

Conservation Ontario and Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative sign Memorandum of Collaboration

At the recent Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference, Conservation Ontario and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) Mayor’s Commission on Coastal Resilience signed a Memorandum of Collaboration to help communities prepare for increasing risks from flooding, erosion and severe storms along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin.

This initiative aims to maximize the impact of combined resources by working together on implementation strategies, communications, fundraising and to bridge gaps in science. With their extensive capacity and expertise, Conservation Authorities in Ontario are vital partners in bolstering coastal resilience and assisting shoreline communities in addressing climate change vulnerabilities and risks.

Click here to read more.

Skills Ontario’s Howcroft optimistic about trades growth, apprenticeship programs

Skills Ontario has entered 2024 buoyed by strong apprenticeship numbers and with a refreshed set of apprenticeship programs and initiatives to offer Ontario students, parents and educators.

Statistics Canada reported in December that Ontario recorded a sizable gain in the number of new apprenticeship registrations in 2022, up 7.2 per cent from the previous year, with the number of women across the country entering apprenticeships jumping 28 per cent.

It’s a positive sign says Skills Ontario CEO Ian Howcroft but it must be viewed in the context of Ontario’s need to add 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade.

Click here to read more.

Government departments ignored management practices, failed to oversee ArriveCan app: Auditor General

Three federal government agencies failed to follow good management practices in the contracting, development, and implementation of the $59.5 million ArriveCAN application, Canada’s auditor general said today.

As a result, concluded Auditor General Karen Hogan, it did not deliver the best value for taxpayer dollars spent.

But Hogan also said the lack of documentation makes it almost impossible to find out the exact cost of all the work paid for the app.

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

Any gold jewellery purchased in the UK after 1983 probably contains gold stolen in the Brinks-Mat heist.

Focus on Retail

Optimize your store’s layout for retail theft prevention in 2024

Retail theft continues to be a significant challenge for retailers worldwide. In 2023, retail theft increased significantly along with fears of violence during theft. Small business owners should consider investing in loss-prevention strategies to keep their stores and employees safe.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the extent of the problem, common misconceptions about retail theft, and various strategies to minimize it.

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.

Share this:

Daily Update: February 8

February 8, 2024 | Daily Update

In this edition:

  • Bell Media planning cuts following BCE layoffs, sale of 45 radio stations
  • Jagmeet Singh threatens end of pact with Liberals over pharmacare
  • Start Me Up moves into new home after leaving behind Gale Crescent
  • Toque Tuesday Mayor’s Pancake Breakfast in St. Catharines raises $6,000
  • Business funding on climate action needs to ‘rise exponentially’: RBC report
  • Meta may not bring some products to Canada unless proposed AI law changed
  • Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Bell Media planning cuts to CTV, BNN Bloomberg following BCE layoffs, sale of 45 radio stations

Bell Media is ending multiple television newscasts and making other programming cuts after its parent company announced widespread layoffs and the sale of 45 of its 103 regional radio stations.

News stations such as CTV and BNN Bloomberg would be affected immediately, according to an internal memo sent to Bell Media employees on Thursday.

It is also selling off 45 of its 103 regional radio stations. The affected stations are in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, including Niagara station 610 CKTB.

Click here to read more.

If the government doesn’t make good on pharmacare legislation by March, that would kill the Liberal-NDP political pact, New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh said Wednesday.

But he made it clear that any collapse in the deal, which is meant to hold off a federal election until next year, would be the Liberals’ fault.

Singh has been talking tough this week about the looming deadline to table a bill, and met with the prime minister Monday to lay out his expectations.

Click here to read more.

Start Me Up moves into new home after leaving behind Gale Crescent

Start Me Up Niagara (SMUN) recently moved from its home of more than 14 years at 17 Gale Cres. due to accessibility issues.

The move came a month after SMUN had originally planned to leave the old site but was stymied due to permitting issues to complete construction at 211 Church St.

Click here to read more.

Toque Tuesday Mayor’s Pancake Breakfast in St. Catharines raises $6,000 and counting

Organizers of an annual fundraising breakfast in St. Catharines served a lot of pancakes Tuesday, as more than 250 guests showed up to eat.

But the effort was well worth it as it raised more than $6,000 for homelessness relief efforts locally and nationally.

“It’s a tricky thing to continue making breakfast for that number of people,” said Jess Doan, communications and events co-ordinator for Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, one of the recipients of the proceeds.

Click here to read more.

Business funding on climate action needs to ‘rise exponentially’: RBC report

A report from RBC says business funding for climate action needs to “rise exponentially” for the country to be on course for net-zero emissions by 2050.

The RBC Climate Action Institute report says while money coming from public and private sources has grown by almost 50 per cent since 2021 to $22 billion, funding needs to reach $60 billion a year for the rest of the decade to hit emission reduction targets.

The report says public markets, private equity and venture capital will need to “step up” and push more money into green investments, as they made up only eight per cent of the capital flows into climate efforts since 2021.

Click here to read more.

Meta may not bring some products to Canada unless proposed AI law changed, Parliament told

Officials from four of the biggest tech companies in the world — Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta — largely offered polite criticism of the country’s proposed artificial intelligence law to Canadian parliamentarians for over an hour at a hearing Wednesday.

Several agreed the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) legislation should be passed quickly, but with certain provisions more clearly defined, and allowing more rules to be set in regulations than in the law so it will be flexible.

Click here to read more.

Did you know?

Microsoft is now the most valuable company in the world again, having passed Apple in January.

Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

How entrepreneurship education can be more inclusive

Organizations with resources to support entrepreneurs often overlook their own organizational roles in amplifying stereotypes of entrepreneurs as primarily masculine, white and technology-focused.

Globally, women are less likely to benefit from entrepreneurship education and training, particularly in programs supporting high-growth enterprises. When entrepreneurship programs do consider inclusion, most focus on gender without considering age, ethnicity, race or other identity factors.

From an economic development perspective, the effectiveness and inclusivity of entrepreneurship programs is important as new businesses account for most net job creation.

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.

Share this:

2012 Niagara Business Achievement Award Recipients

February 5, 2024 |

[[“Year”,”Award”,”Company”,”Name”,”Finalist/Recipient”],[“2012″,”Builder Hall of Fame”,”Stokes Seeds”,””,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Business of the Year”,”Norgen Biotek Corp.”,”Dr. Yousef Haj-Ahmad”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Business of the Year”,”Photech Environmental Solutions”,”Shawn Barlow”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Business of the Year”,”Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours”,”Vanessa Groeneveld”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Community Leadership”,”Niagara College”,”Dr. Dan Patterson”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Environmental Leadership”,”Fallsview Casino Resort”,”Greg Medulun”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Environmental Leadership”,”General Motors of Canada – Powertrain”,”Andrea Etmanskie”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Environmental Leadership”,”Informed Energy Solutions”,”Gary Vida”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business 11 to 50 Employees”,”Henley Honda”,”Alex Digenis”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business 11 to 50 Employees”,”BHH Benefits”,”Dawn Marie Cavasin”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business 11 to 50 Employees”,”Future Access Inc.”,”Bill Janzen”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business 51 Employees or more”,”Royal Henley Retirement Residence”,”Margaret Milley”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business 51 Employees or more”,”Bayshore Home Health”,”Jodie Schaefer”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business 51 Employees or more”,”Heart of Niagara Hotels”,”Angelo Nitsopoulos”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business 51 Employees or more”,”Pathstone Mental Health”,”Ellis Katsof”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business up to 10 Employees”,”Bertie Printers Limited”,”Scott Baughn”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business up to 10 Employees”,”Audio Design Systems Inc.”,”Robert Robbins”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Business up to 10 Employees”,”Niagara Classic Transport”,”Caryn Peters”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Manufacturing”,”Niagara Composites International”,”Roy Rymer”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Manufacturing”,”Hingston Metal Fabricators”,”Randy T. Hingston”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Excellence in Manufacturing”,”Primecast Manufacturing”,”Bill Schwenger”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Lifetime Achievement”,””,”John Boychuck”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Outstanding New Business”,”El Gastronomo Vagabundo”,”Tamara Jensen”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Outstanding New Business”,”Gesundheit! Niagara Juice Company Inc.”,”Susanne Woerthle”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Outstanding New Business”,”Morro Images Inc.”,”Tobias Wiegand”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Technology & Innovation”,”Iafrate Machine Works Ltd”,”Al Iafrate”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Technology & Innovation”,”Eurocopter Canada”,”Arnaud Montalvo”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Technology & Innovation”,”Niagara District Airport”,”Len O’Connor”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Volunteer Business Person of the Year”,”Lincoln Fabrics”,”Dr. David Howes”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Young Professional of the Year”,”Future Access Inc.”,”Bill Jansen”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Young Professional of the Year”,”Dr. Erica Mattia – Dr. Erica Mattia”,”Dr. Erica Mattia”,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Young Professional of the Year”,”Fallsview Casino Resort – Greg Medulun”,”Greg Medulun”,”Finalist”]]

Share this:

2008 Niagara Business Achievement Award Recipients

February 5, 2024 |

[[“Year”,”Award”,”Company”,”Name”,”Finalist/Recipient”],[“2008″,”Builder Hall of Fame”,”Rankin Construction”,””,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Business Person Volunteer of the Year”,”Credit Bureau Services”,”Jan Cook”,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Eco Action Award”,”Henry of Pelham Family Estate”,””,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Eco Action Award”,”Huard Heating & Air”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Eco Action Award”,”Merit Contractors Niagara”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Entrepreneur of the Year”,”Performance Cars”,”Cam Champion & John Mann”,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Entrepreneur of the Year”,”Henley Honda”,”Reni de Verteuil”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Entrepreneur of the Year”,”Tangarine Concepts”,”Keith Turner”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business 11 to 50 Employees”,”Mother-Ease Cloth Diapers”,””,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business 11 to 50 Employees”,”Big Red Market”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business 11 to 50 Employees”,”Lancaster, Brooks & Welch”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business 11 to 50 Employees”,”Seaway Marine Transport”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business 51 Employees or more”,”Elmwood Kitchens”,””,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business 51 Employees or more”,”Canadian Tire Financial Services”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business 51 Employees or more”,”Cogeco Cable Niagara”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business 51 Employees or more”,”Deloitte”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business up to 10 Employees”,”Professional Carpet Systems”,”Annette Marchionda”,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business up to 10 Employees”,”Chimpanzee”,”Phil Kirwin & Dianne Wright”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business up to 10 Employees”,”Pointts”,”Bruce Scott”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Excellence in Business up to 10 Employees”,”PPS Accounting & Payroll Solutions”,”Tracey Hrick”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Innovation & Technology Award”,”Shark Marine Technologies”,””,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Innovation & Technology Award”,”Hotel Dieu Shaver”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Innovation & Technology Award”,”Strategem / CME Direct”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Lifetime Achievement”,”Inniskillin Wines”,”Donald Ziraldo”,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”New Business”,”Finesse Fabrics & D\u00e9cor”,”Michele Auger”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”New Business”,”Heatherwood Retirement”,””,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Outstanding New Business”,”Niagara Ice Dogs”,”Bill & Denise Burke”,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Young Entrepreneur”,”Accelerated Health Systems”,”Dr. Patrick Maddalena”,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Young Entrepreneur”,”BMO Nesbitt Burns”,”David Mascio”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Young Entrepreneur”,”Casual Catering”,”Daryl Ferguson”,”Finalist”]]

Share this: