Daily Update: December 23, 2021

December 23, 2021 | Daily Update

As this year draws to an end, one can’t help but reflect on it. The challenges of the pandemic continuously shaped our life, while strong signs of an economic recovery and the stabilization of our health systems, gives us hope.

Season’s Greetings from the GNCC

Thank you for your support throughout 2021. As this year draws to an end, one can’t help but reflect on it. The challenges of the pandemic continuously shaped our life, while strong signs of an economic recovery and the stabilization of our health systems, gives us hope. Although some restrictions are still in place and elements of uncertainty remain, this year has shown us that we are not powerless. Not only do we each have the ability to contribute to getting back to normal more quickly, but Niagara’s businesses – and all the people behind them – can feel proud of all that they have done together to get this far.

At the GNCC, we will continue working with you, with community partners, and with governments to ensure that you have the support you need to succeed. Here are a few of the services that organizations have come to value in 2021:

  • A broader array of affinity partners to help you save money, including extended insurance benefit programs, affiliate discounts and savings.
  • A free rapid antigen rapid test kit distribution program which over 500 organizations in Niagara accessed, resulting in a distribution of over 60,000 free kits between May and December.
  • The extensive Shop Local initiative branded #NiagaraMyWay providing critical marketing opportunities to businesses to help stimulate our local economy across the region.
  • Working closely with our partners to defend the interests of our members, to address rapid policy decisions, and to advance the advocacy agenda important to you, at all levels of government.
  • The expansion of our digital reach and service options to connect you with more customers and partners.
  • Our Daily Updates, an end-of-day brief read by 3,500 people, providing timely and relevant information about government policies, business news, and resources to help you run your organization.
  • Many virtual, hybrid and in-person events, bringing together local businesses, experts, progressive thinkers, and elected officials to further the needs of Niagara’s business community.

Looking ahead, we will continue to offer and expand upon your member benefits, advocate on your behalf, and passionately promote your interests. As a community, we can accelerate our recovery by working together, to fully restore the health of our population and the strength of our economy.

On behalf of our board, my colleagues, and our advisory councils, I want to offer you our sincerest thanks for your on-going support of the GNCC and your commitment to building a stronger and more resilient Niagara. The entire GNCC team looks forward to working with you, and for you, in 2022.

We wish you, your colleagues, and your family a joyous holiday season, and a prosperous new year.

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTCgbvyOAqw&feature=youtu.be

 

This is the last Daily Update for 2021. We will return on January 4, 2022, and continue to bring you updates on the news that matters to your business.

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Daily Update: December 22, 2021

December 22, 2021 | Daily Update

The governments of Canada and Ontario will offer new and extended financial assistance to affected businesses.

Governments of Canada and Ontario offer financial support to businesses affected by capacity limits

In response to the economic threat posed by the Omicron variant, the governments of Canada and Ontario will offer new and extended financial assistance to affected businesses.

The Government of Canada will use its regulatory authority granted by Bill C-2 to temporarily expand the Local Lockdown program. From December 19, 2021, until February 12, 2022, businesses will be able to qualify for federal support if:

  • one or more locations are subject to a public health order that has the effect of reducing the entity’s capacity at the location by 50 per cent or more, and
  • activities restricted by the public health order accounted for at least 50 per cent of the entity’s total qualifying revenues during the prior reference period.

In addition, the government intends to temporarily lower the current-month revenue loss threshold from 40 per cent to 25 per cent. Employers would continue to need to demonstrate current-month losses only, without the requirement for a historical 12-month revenue decline.

The rate would start at 25 per cent for eligible organizations with a 25-per-cent current-month revenue decline, increasing thereafter in proportion to current-month revenue loss up to a maximum rate of 75 per cent for those with a current-month revenue decline of 75 per cent or higher.

The Government of Canada will also expand the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to help workers affected by lockdowns.

For more information on the federal assistance programs, click here.

The Government of Ontario announced today that it will:

  • Offer rebates equal to 50% of property taxes and energy bills incurred by businesses subject to capacity limits, while those limits are in place
  • Provide a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes from January 1, 2022 to July 1, 2022.

Online applications for the rebate program will open in mid-January 2022, with payments to eligible businesses provided retroactive to December 19, 2021. Businesses will be required to submit property tax and energy bills as part of the application process.

Click here for more information on these provincial relief programs.

Niagara transit amalgamation green-lit after Thorold Council passes deciding vote

Thorold City Council became the seventh Niagara municipal government to vote in favour of Niagara transit amalgamation, following supportive votes from Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Grimsby, Port Colborne and Niagara-on-the-Lake. With a majority of Niagara municipalities supporting amalgamation, representing a majority of the electorate, and following a majority vote at Niagara Region on November 25th, the transit amalgamation plan now has the triple majority needed to proceed.

Ontario calls for businesses willing to offer employer-led vaccination clinics

In an effort to head off a fifth wave of COVID-19 prompted by the highly contagious Omicron variant, the Government of Ontario is making all efforts to increase the rate of vaccination in the province.

As more mass-vax sites, hospital clinics, pharmacies and primary care clinics come online, Ontario is asking the province’s businesses, workers and union leaders to support the vaccine rollout by hosting employer-led clinics. Employer-led clinics must be set up, operated and funded by employers and meet established criteria to vaccinate employees aged 18 and over, their families and retirees, as well as members of the local and neighbouring communities as capacity allows.

Businesses can call the Ontario Together Contact Centre at 1-888-777-0554 to learn more about hosting a vaccination clinic. Community groups and places of worship interested in arranging a GO-VAXX mobile bus clinic visit, can contact GOVAXX@ontario.ca.

Click here for more information.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect ourselves, and our families and communities against COVID-19. Learn more here.

Fort Erie will waive 2022 business license fees

Town Council recently approved recommendations from staff to temporarily waive all business licence fees, save and except short-term rentals, for 2022 to offer continued support to the Fort Erie business community. New and existing businesses that require an annual licence renewal are still required to apply for a 2022 business licence from the Town of Fort Erie as in the past.

It is estimated that waiving business licencing fees for 2022 will result in a business licencing revenue reduction of about $20,000. The plan is to recoup this financial impact through COVID-19 funding the Town received from Provincial grants.

Click here for more information.

Vaccine clinic to be opened at Lincoln’s Fleming Centre on December 23

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 23rd, a vaccination clinic will take place at the Fleming Centre to administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible individuals 5 years of age and older, and eligible booster doses while supplies last. No appointment is required. The province of Ontario operates the vaccination clinic being held at the Fleming Centre.

Click here for more information.

Niagara Health extends hours at COVID-19 assessment centres

Niagara Health’s COVID-19 Assessment Centres are temporarily extending their hours due to an increased demand in booking for COVID-19 tests. Self-referrals have steadily increased over the last week to a high of 1,800 on Dec. 20. Please note that Niagara Health does not accept walk-ins for COVID-19 testing.

Holiday hours of operation for the St. Catharines and Niagara Falls assessment centres are as follows:

Dec. 21-23: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 25: Closed
Dec. 26-30: 8 a.m. to 6 p .m.
Dec. 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jan. 1: Closed

After Jan. 1, regular hours will resume at both locations.

Click here for more information.

Reading Recommendations

Canada should temporarily ban foreign home buyers, rezone cities – housing minister

Reuters

Municipalities should rezone broadly to allow more density and Canada should temporarily ban foreign buyers to help alleviate the housing affordability crunch faced by residents, the country’s housing minister said on Tuesday.

Ahmed Hussen told Reuters in an interview that housing should be for Canadians to live in, not passive foreign investment, and that he backs Canadian cities implementing density measures like those recently rolled out in New Zealand, which allow up to three homes to be built on most single-family lots.

“I support that,” he said. “That’s one of the ways to easily increase housing supply by using the same land for single-family dwelling and creating more units.”

How work perks are shifting during the pandemic

CBC News

Employers and experts say the COVID-19 pandemic has made companies focus on the challenges this shifting landscape poses for them and what they need to do to retain staff.

For some, that effort involves offering key perks to their people — including mental health and well-being supports and allowing more flexible working arrangements — as they make their way through this trying time.

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

For information on rapid testing kits for individuals, click here.

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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: December 21, 2021

December 21, 2021 | Daily Update

The President and the Chief of Staff of Niagara Health, in a joint statement issued today, announced the opening of a new public vaccination clinic in early January

Niagara Health to open new vaccination clinic in January

The President and the Chief of Staff of Niagara Health, in a joint statement issued today, announced the opening of a new public vaccination clinic in early January at a scale that would not impair their delivery of hospital services, in response to “potentially extreme pressures” on the provincial healthcare system. All hospitals have been asked by the province to prepare to pause scheduled surgeries and other scheduled activity until after the holiday season.

Niagara Health is also expanding hours at their Niagara Falls and St. Catharines Assessment Centres over the holiday season.

Healthcare officials noted that while this was not where we expected to be at this point in the pandemic, the professionals in our healthcare system have done this work before and will do it again, with the help of the Niagara community.

Click here for more information.

GO-VAXX bus vaccination clinic to visit Brock on January 10

As part of ongoing efforts to get as many people as possible vaccinated with two full doses and a booster shot, the Ontario government is offering several walk-in opportunities over the coming weeks, including a GO-VAXX bus vaccine clinic at Brock University.

The fully accessible GO-VAXX bus will be on campus (location to be determined) on Monday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vaccines, including boosters, will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. They do not offer appointments. Students, faculty, staff and anyone from the wider community are welcome.

Click here for more information.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect ourselves, and our families and communities against COVID-19. Learn more here.

Third federal payment to dairy farmers now available

Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced that the third payment under the Dairy Direct Payment Program (DDPP) is now available to producers. The owner of a farm with 80 dairy cows will be awarded compensation in the form of a direct payment of approximately $38,000 each year.

Click here for more information.

Government of Canada will provide record $87.6 billion in transfer payments

Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced the Government of Canada will provide a record $87.6 billion in major transfer funding for provinces and territories in 2022-23. This represents an increase of over $3.7 billion from 2021-22. All provinces and territories will receive a year-over-year increase in total major transfer amounts.

Click here for more information.

Canada receives over 1 million doses of pediatric vaccines

Yesterday, a shipment of 1.136 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 pediatric vaccine arrived in Canada, meaning that children aged 5 to 11 in Canada will be able to receive their second dose as soon as they are eligible. The Government of Canada will be working closely with provinces to distribute doses as quickly as possible.

Click here for more information.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect ourselves, and our families and communities against COVID-19. Learn more here.

Car dealer sales rebound leads retail growth in October

Retail sales were up 1.6% to $57.6 billion in October. The increase was led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+2.2%), as new car dealer sales (+2.8%) rebounded.

Sales increased in 7 of 11 subsectors, representing 59.9% of retail trade.

Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers—increased 1.5%.

In volume terms, retail sales were up 0.9% in October.

Given the rapidly evolving economic situation, Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 1.2% in November. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised.

Click here for more information.

Reading Recommendations

Canada to challenge U.S. softwood lumber duties under trade deal, minister says

Reuters

The Canadian government on Tuesday launched a challenge against American duties on Canadian softwood lumber under the terms of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade deal, Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng said in a statement.

The softwood lumber industry is a key component of Canada’s forestry sector, which contributed more than $25 billion, about 1.5%, to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2020 and employed nearly 185,000 workers.

The U.S. Department of Commerce nearly doubled its duties on imported Canadian softwood lumber to 17.9% in November after a review of its anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders regarding certain softwood lumber products from Canada.

New restrictions brought in as Omicron variant fuels COVID-19’s 5th wave

CBC News

Quebec on Tuesday reported yet another single-day high, with more than 5,000 new cases of COVID-19. The update came as the City of Montreal declared a local state of emergency in the face of quickly rising case numbers.

Prince Edward Island ramped up restrictions on Tuesday, including a quarantine requirement for people coming onto the island.

Health officials in several provinces and territories — Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia — are expected to hold COVID-19 briefings Tuesday.

Other parts of the country also experienced a surge in new cases unseen since before the summer as the Omicron variant, identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a potential concern only last month, has become increasingly prevalent in Canada.

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

For information on rapid testing kits for individuals, click here.

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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: December 20, 2021

December 20, 2021 | Daily Update

GNCC: Businesses will need assistance and predictability to get through the Omicron crisis

The Government of Ontario announced new capacity limits and restrictions on Friday, December 17.

Many jurisdictions, already suffering greater public health effects from the Omicron variant, are enacting even tighter restrictions. If this new variant is as contagious as public health officials fear, it may become necessary for Ontario to further restrict our activities this winter.

If the government wishes to safeguard the economy, new restrictions should not be announced without further financial support for affected businesses.

Financial support should be offered based on severity of impact, and tied to the length of restrictions, rather than given on an ad-hoc basis. Instead of one-time grants, the GNCC urges the Government of Ontario to consider an ongoing assistance program that can help the most-affected businesses and be tapered off as restrictions end.

Businesses also clamour for predictability in the uncertain age of the pandemic. While we hope that further restrictions will not prove necessary, we must make contingency plans, but plans require some foreknowledge.

The GNCC therefore suggests that the Government of Ontario publish the measures that would call for further restrictions, and detail what those restrictions would be. Doing this would allow people to make plans for future changes. The previous plan tied to vaccination rates would not apply, nor will the current plan with timelines calling for lifting restrictions in January.

Click here for more information.

Walk-in vaccination clinic in Thorold to open for December 21-22

Govaxx will be holding an indoor walk-in COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 and Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Hall – 35 Queen Street South, Thorold.

No Appointment necessary, all doses (1st, 2nd and boosters) will be given, and all ages are welcome. Pfizer is being offered at this location.
Please park in the parking lot and enter through the main entrance off of Queen Street South.

Two additional dates have yet to be confirmed.

Click here for more information.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect ourselves, and our families and communities against COVID-19. Learn more here.

Niagara Health makes changes to visitor and Essential Care Partner guidelines, effective December 21

Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 21, visitors and Essential Care Partners must show proof of vaccination (i.e. 14-days since second dose) before entering the hospital and only one person can be at a patient’s bedside at a time. These changes are a result of the evolving situation with the Omicron variant and will help us maintain the safest environment possible in the hospital.

There is no change to visiting hours and to how many people a patient can visit within a day. The change to only one visitor at the bedside at a time is to ensure appropriate physical distancing inside all patient rooms. All other infection prevention and control guidelines remain in place, including masking, handwashing and screening.

Click here for more information.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect ourselves, and our families and communities against COVID-19. Learn more here.

Bank of Canada autumn expert poll: risk of financial shock is low

The Bank of Canada conducts the Financial System Survey (FSS) twice a year to solicit the opinions of senior experts who specialize in risk management of the financial system. These experts provide their views on the risks to, and resilience of, the Canadian financial system as well as on emerging trends in financial products and practices.

Respondents believe the risk of a shock that could impair the financial system is low. However, this risk is viewed as slightly higher in the medium term than in the short term because of the prospect of rising interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical tensions.

Cyber risks remain the top risk that organizations face. Asset pricing risks—the potential for asset price corrections—are the second most frequently cited.

Overall, the prolonged period of low interest rates over the past decade has worsened respondents’ abilities to meet their profit or return goals. As a result, asset managers, pension funds and insurers have increased their exposures to riskier assets and may have taken on more leverage. However, many respondents noted that their overall risk profile has not changed significantly.

Click here for more information.

Quebec shuts bars, gyms, casinos to fight spread of Omicron

Canada’s second most populous province of Quebec ordered bars, gyms and casinos shut on Monday and directed people to work only from home to fight the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Health minister Christian Dube said the province had a record 4,500 new cases of the coronavirus a day and predicted worse was yet to come.

He urged Quebecers to cut down their personal contacts with the approach of Christmas and New Year’s Day. The new measures were due to take effect at 5 p.m. (2200 GMT) on Monday.

“The situation is critical … right now we are waging a war against the virus,” Dube told a virtual briefing, saying the healthcare system was fragile.

Click here for more information.

Reading Recommendations

Businesses big and small slam the brakes on back-to-the-office plans amid rapid Omicron spread

CBC News

Some of the biggest employers in Canada are pausing plans to slowly bring some workers back into the office because of Omicron — and that’s having devastating consequences on the businesses that rely on them.

Major financial conglomerates, including the big banks and insurers, were all in the process of slowly returning some staff to offices in a limited capacity. But they’ve hit the brakes on those plans given the rapid spread of the latest COVID-19 variant.

Manulife was planning to restart office work on Jan. 24, but told employees in a memo this week that it is shelving those plans. Rival Sun Life told CBC News that it is “encouraging the people who were volunteering to come into the office to stay home until the end of January.”

Wage growth outpaces inflation as job vacancies surge to record

Financial Post

Jobs vacancies surged to a record in the third quarter, and wage growth exceeded inflation in about half of the occupations that Statistics Canada tracks, reinforcing the Bank of Canada’s decision to ramp up its fight against inflation.

Canadian employers reported 912,600 empty positions, an increase of 62 per cent from the third quarter of 2019, Statistics Canada said on Dec. 20. Strong economic growth coincided with the lifting of health restrictions, juicing demand that pushed businesses into a hiring frenzy. The labour market had recouped almost all of its pandemic losses by September, and gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 5.4 per cent in the third quarter, much faster than the economy grows during normal times.

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

For information on rapid testing kits for individuals, click here.

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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: December 17, 2021

December 17, 2021 | Daily Update

The Government of Ontario has announced new public health restrictions that will take effect on December 19th.

Government of Ontario announces new public health measures starting December 19

From 12:01 a.m. on December 19, the Government of Ontario will impose new public health restrictions to slow the spread of the Omicron variant until the vaccination program can ramp up. The restrictions will include:

  • A 50% capacity limit on indoor settings bars such as restaurants, gyms, retailers, or personal care services
  • Restaurants and bars must close at 11 p.m. except for take-out and delivery. No alcohol may be served after 10 p.m.
  • Private indoor social gatherings are limited to ten people. Outdoor gatherings are limited to twenty-five
  • Only ten people may be seated per table in restaurants and meeting spaces
  • Patrons at restaurants, bars, etc. must remain seated at all times
  • Singing and dancing at venues is prohibited except for workers and performers
  • Venues such as stadiums, theatres, casinos, and so forth will not be permitted to serve food or drink

No decision has yet been made on whether schools will be closed or restricted in January, the Premier said.

Ontario has joined Quebec in asking for federal measures to support businesses and workers, and promised that they would look at future options to offer their own supports, although no specifics were offered during the media briefing.

Click here for more information.

Niagara Medical Officer of Health offers COVID-19 update

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-uDJ56u54

Sectoral Initiatives Program to offer $67 million in support for tourism and hospitality sector

Today, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced up to $67 million in funding to support Canada’s tourism and hospitality sector through the Sectoral Initiatives Program (SIP). This funding supports 24 projects that will help employers and industry stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector to attract and retain skilled workers, and build capacity through training and resources.

Click here for more information.

Niagara Regional Council approves 2022 budget

At its meeting of Dec. 16, 2021, Niagara Regional Council approved an expenditure increase of $23 million for 2022. With the utilization of $6 million in reserves, the net increase totals $17 million, which maintains the property tax increase to 2.87 per cent.

For the average property assessed at $278,764, the Regional portion of the tax bill will increase by $46, totalling $1,684 in 2022.

Click here for more information.

Brock cancels in-person exams, will offer courses online for beginning of winter term

Brock University has announced that on-campus exams for the Fall Term will be cancelled or will move to alternative modes of delivery, and that it will move to online course delivery for the beginning of the Winter Term to enable students, staff and faculty to receive their booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. On-campus classes are currently planned to resume on Jan. 31, 2022. During the period of online course delivery, the campus will remain open.

A work-from-home arrangement will be made for all Brock employees whose role does not require their presence on campus.

The university has asked all eligible staff and students to get their booster shots as soon as possible.

Click here for more information.

Canadian COVID-19 case load up 45% in one week

Over the past seven days, an average of over 5,000 new cases were reported daily across Canada, reported Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Tam, which is 45% higher than the previous 7-day period. Severe illness trends have begun to increase in the most heavily impacted provinces, which may be more associated with rising levels of Delta variant activity over the preceding weeks. Over the past week, on average 1,450 people with COVID-19 were being treated in our hospitals each day, with over 450 in intensive care units and 19 deaths were reported daily.

Click here for more information.

All travellers will once again need a molecular COVID-19 test before arriving in Canada

Canada is increasing testing requirements for international travellers and dropping its travel ban on flights from 10 African countries as the government tries to quash the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, CBC news reports.

Starting Tuesday, all travellers will once again need to get a COVID-19 molecular test before returning to Canada. The announcement from Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos rolls back an exemption announced last month that fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents taking short trips abroad, under 72 hours, wouldn’t need proof of a negative test before returning home.

Click here for more information.

Reading Recommendations

Canada’s TD Bank delays office return over Omicron fears

Reuters

Canada’s Toronto-Dominion Bank is directing staff who are able to do so, to work from home until further notice, according to a memo on Friday, as concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant mount globally.

The new directive would also apply to all staffers participating in the bank’s voluntary return to office program, the memo from Kenn Lalonde, senior executive vice president of human resources, said.

Organizational support: The key to employee commitment and well-being during the pandemic

The Conversation

For nearly two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it increasingly difficult for people to do their jobs. In addition to regular work duties, people have had to worry about their health and that of their loved ones. They have faced increased uncertainty about the future and have had to learn new ways of working.

Considering this additional pressure, it is not surprising that employees have reported feeling less happy at work since the start of the pandemic.

The pandemic has also damaged employees’ commitments to their organizations. With companies increasingly adopting remote work models, employees have fewer and fewer reasons to feel attached to their workplaces, as the usual human interactions have been replaced by video calls.

In the face of all this change, employers have been asking: what can organizations do to reduce these negative effects of the pandemic on their employees?

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

For information on rapid testing kits for individuals, click here.

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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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Espresso Live: Monthly Update with Dr. Hirji, December 17, 2021

December 17, 2021 | Espresso Live Webinars, Event Recordings

Join us for our November update on COVID-19, vaccination progress and other health news from Dr. M. Hirji, Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner, Public Health, Niagara Region.

For more information on the Chambers of Commerce workplace rapid antigen testing kit program, please visit: https://gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits/

To get updates on the availability of testing kits, please sign up for our Testing Kit mailing list here. (Be sure to check the option for waiting list appointments)

For information on the LCBO testing kit program: https://www.lcbo.com/content/dam/lcbo/PDFs/Rapidtest/Store-List-Covid-Testing-Final-2.pdf

To see a list of holiday pop-up testing sites and kit distribution centres, please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/pop-up-holiday-schedule-rapid-antigen-tests

For information and updates on COVID in Niagara, please visit: https://www.niagararegion.ca/health/

If you would like further information, please view our COVID-19 resources:
https://gncc.ca/covid-19/resources-and-subsidies/

Keep up to date on news, vaccine stats, and more by signing up for our Daily Updates:
https://gncc.ca/covid-19/covid-19-gncc-news/

Visit Niagara Region Public Health for additional information, vaccination info, and more:
https://www.niagararegion.ca/health/

Check our Events for upcoming editions of Espresso Live:
https://gncc.ca/events/

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Request for Quotation: Medical Supplies 58-5005

December 17, 2021 | Inactive Tenders

The 2021 Canada Games Host Society Inc., a non-profit organization, is looking for a quotation to provide Medical supplies to be used during the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer games.

SECTION ONE |  INTRODUCTION

About the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games [Niagara 2022 CSG]

At the peak of Niagara’s boldest summer yet, more than 5,000 young athletes and their coaches will gather to compete for the podium in Canada’s largest multi-sport event. On its road to glory, this shining generation of hopefuls will leave its mark on our community and on the country – transforming, inspiring, and unifying us all through the power of sport.

As ambassadors of Niagara’s unrivaled warmth and compassion, thousands of volunteers will play host to the nation. The Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games will celebrate the wonder of sport alongside arts and culture. The Games will honour our indigenous communities, and showcase a remarkable heritage of hard work and innovation in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations.

With world-renowned hospitality, the people of Niagara will welcome visitors from across the country. Spirited events, spectacular entertainment, and the theatre of elite competition will spark new energy in the region as our streets, skies, and waterways shimmer with ceremony and celebration that is befitting of Canada’s best young athletes.

From August 6th to 21st, 2022, Niagara will surge stronger than ever on the national stage.  The Games will give rise to a new legacy of ambition, confidence, and compassion that will inspire generations to come.

About the 2022 Canada Games Host Society
In preparation for the games, a Host Society has been established and led by a Board of Directors that is composed of passionate, experienced and accomplished sport and community leaders.

The goals of the Host Society are to:

  • Provide a phenomenal experience for the athletes and other participants at the Niagara 2022 CSG.  An experience that will propel their development, allow them to perform their best and inspire them to dream big
  • Provide a legacy of sport infrastructure and programs that are vital for Niagara, Ontario, and Canadian sport development
  • Provide a legacy of infrastructure, community programs and unify a spirit that will be transformative for Niagara
  • Provide an unmatched podium and partnership for the Canada Games Council to build upon the success of previous Canada Games and strengthen the Canada Games property

SECTION TWO | SCOPE OF WORK

QUOTATION REQUEST DETAILS
Linked below is the list of required Medical Supplies in four (4) different file formats.

Only one needs to be completed and returned.

Medical Supplies List.PDF

Medical Supplies List.XLS

Medical Supplies List.CSV

Medical Supplies List.ODS


SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
YES – Brands are not a concern.

DATE REQUIRED
Please submit quotes, no later than – January 2nd, 2022 – 4:00 pm EST

SECTION THREE | SCORING

Submitting RFQ’s will be scored as follows:

  1. Responsiveness to the Scope of work – 30%
  2. Cost Effectiveness – 40%
  3. Value-in-Kind as a percentage of total – 30%

Responsiveness to Scope of work looks at how closely the response matches the request. A complete match would score highest. Substitutions, if not allowed and unavailability would reduce the scoring in this category. We require that all products are Health Canada approved and that any distributor or supplier has and can provide a copy of their Medical Device Establishment License (MDEL) number.

Cost Effectiveness is scored based on the prices presented. Lowest overall price would receive the highest score with points deducted for second, third, fourth etc. A point will be deducted for every 10% above the lowest price.

The Niagara 2021 CSG Host Society is not merely looking for a vendor with a fee for service approach. Instead, it is our belief that all vendors associated with the Niagara 2022 CSG become strategic event partners offering both fee for service; as well as, Value In-Kind (VIK) opportunities. Value in Kind should be reflected as a percentage reduction off the total price of the quote. The highest VIK offered will be scored the highest with a point deducted per every 5% below the highest VIK.

Terms and Conditions
All material produced, data collected, and reports generated by the contractor or subcontractor on behalf of Niagara 2022 CSG are confidential and become exclusive property of Niagara 2022 CSG. The contractor may not share program materials, customer data, industry or program participant contact information, etc. unless explicitly authorized by Niagara 2022 CSG to do so.

This RFQ does not commit to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a quote or to procure or contract for services. Niagara 2022 CSG reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this RFQ, to negotiate with all qualified bidders and to cancel the RFQ, in part or in its entirety at its sole discretion.

Niagara 2022 CSG reserves the right to refuse to work with any partners, vendors or sponsors that may reflect negatively on the organization, Niagara Place and/or any Games stakeholder. 

Payment Terms
Please indicate your payment terms in the quotation.

Delivery
Please include any delivery fees, restocking fees and deadlines to receive by May 31, 2022

Covid 19 Mandatory Vaccine Policy
The Host Society requires all staff and contractors to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Contractors who choose not to be vaccinated will not be permitted to enter Host Society locations. Contractors must confirm that all of their employees entering Host Society locations are fully vaccinated. Sending an employee who is not fully vaccinated to a Host Society location may be deemed as cause for the Host Society to terminate the contract with the contractor.

Additional Information or Clarification
All questions and requests for clarification should be submitted with the contact listed below.  Questions and answers will be documented and distributed to all bidders. If necessary, an addendum will be issued.

Niagara 2021 CSG requires one (1) electronic copy of your proposal. 

Submissions are to be sent to:
Dan Kennedy
Manager, Procurement and Contract Administration
dkennedy@2022canadagames.ca

 

 

Demande de PRIX
Fournitures médicales 58-5005
Jeux d’été du Canada Niagara 2022

La 2021 Canada Games Host Society Inc., un organisme à but non lucratif, est à la recherche d’un devis pour l’approvisionnement de fournitures médicales qui seront utilisées pendant les Jeux d’été du Canada Niagara 2022.

PREMIÈRE SECTION |  INTRODUCTION

À propos des Jeux d’été du Canada Niagara 2022 [JEC Niagara 2022]
La saison estivale 2022 s’annonce des plus prometteuses dans la région de Niagara. Au plus fort de l’été, plus de 5 000 jeunes athlètes, accompagnés de leurs entraîneurs, se livreront une chaude lutte pour atteindre le podium lors du plus important événement multisport du Canada. En route vers la gloire, cette génération brillante d’espoir laissera sa marque sur notre communauté et sur le pays grâce au pouvoir transformateur, inspirateur et rassembleur du sport.

Ambassadeurs de la bienveillance et de l’hospitalité inégalée de la région de Niagara, des milliers de bénévoles seront les hôtes de la nation. Les Jeux d’été du Canada Niagara 2022 célébreront les merveilles du sport aux côtés des arts et de la culture. Les Jeux rendront hommage à nos communautés autochtones et mettront en valeur un héritage remarquable de travail acharné et d’innovation dans l’une des destinations les plus impressionnantes au monde.

La renommée mondiale de l’hospitalité de la région n’est plus à faire; la population de Niagara accueillera chaleureusement des visiteurs de partout au pays. Des événements animés, des divertissements spectaculaires et le théâtre de compétitions d’élites susciteront une nouvelle énergie dans la région alors que nos rues, nos ciels et nos voies navigables scintilleront de cérémonies et de célébrations dignes des meilleurs jeunes athlètes canadiens.

Du 6 au 21 août 2022, la présence de la région de Niagara sera plus forte que jamais sur la scène nationale. Les Jeux créeront un nouvel héritage d’ambition, de confiance et de compassion qui inspirera les générations à venir.

À propos de la Société hôtesse de 2022
En préparation des Jeux, une Société hôtesse a été établie, dirigée par un Conseil d’administration qui se compose de leaders communautaires et sportifs passionnés et chevronnés.

Les objectifs de la Société hôtesse sont les suivantes :

  • Offrir une expérience exceptionnelle des Jeux à tous les athlètes et autres participants aux JEC Niagara 2022. Cette expérience favorisera l’épanouissement sportif et la performance optimale des athlètes, tout en les inspirant et en les faisant rêver.
  • Laisser en héritage une infrastructure et des programmes sportifs qui seront indispensables au développement du sport à l’échelle régionale, provinciale et nationale. 
  • Créer un legs transformateur pour la région de Niagara, qui comporte de l’infrastructure, des programmes communautaires et un esprit collectif uni.
  • Établir un podium et un partenariat inégalés et couronnés de succès avec le Conseil des Jeux du Canada sur lequel il pourra s’appuyer pour renforcer la marque et la propriété des Jeux du Canada.

DEUXIÈME SECTION | LA PORTÉE DU TRAVAIL

INFORMATIONS SUR  LA DEMANDE DE PRIX
Vous trouverez ci-dessous la liste des fournitures médicales requises dans quatre (4) formats de fichiers différents.

Un seul fichier doit être rempli et retourné.

Medical Supplies List.PDF

Medical Supplies List.XLS

Medical Supplies List.CSV

Medical Supplies List.ODS

SUBSTITUTIONS AUTORISÉES
OUI – Les marques ne sont pas une préoccupation.

DATE REQUISE
Veuillez soumettre les devis, au plus tard le – 2 janvier 2022 à 16 h HNE

TROISIÈME SECTION | ÉVALUATION

Toute proposition soumise sera évaluée en tenant compte des critères suivants :

  1.   la mesure dans laquelle elle répond aux exigences énoncées dans la portée du travail — 30 %
  2.   la rentabilité de la proposition — 40 %             
  3.   le pourcentage de la contribution en nature — 30%  

 La capacité de l’entreprise à répondre aux exigences énoncées dans la portée du travail examine dans quelle mesure la réponse correspond à la demande. Un correspondance complète recevrait l’évaluation la plus élevée. Les substitutions, si elles ne sont pas autorisées, et l’indisponibilité réduiraient la note dans cette catégorie. Nous exigeons que tous les produits soient approuvés par Santé Canada et que tout distributeur ou fournisseur possède et puisse fournir une copie de son numéro de Licence d’établissement d’instruments médicaux (LEIM).

La rentabilité de la proposition est évaluée en fonction des prix présentés. Le prix global le plus bas recevra l’évaluation la plus élevée et des points seront déduits pour le deuxième plus bas, le troisième, le quatrième, etc. Un point sera déduit pour chaque tranche de 10 % au-dessus du prix le plus bas.

La Société hôtesse des JEC Niagara 2022 ne recherche pas uniquement des fournisseurs qui adoptent un modèle de rémunération à l’acte. Nous sommes de l’avis que tout partenaire associé aux JEC Niagara 2022 devient partenaire stratégique de l’événement en offrant à la fois des services rémunérés à l’acte ainsi que des contributions en nature. La contribution en nature doit être reflétée sous forme de pourcentage de réduction sur le prix total du devis. La contribution en nature la plus élevée offerte recevra l’évaluation la plus élevée et un point sera déduit pour chaque tranche de 5 % en dessous de la contribution en nature la plus élevée.

Modalités du contrat
Tout matériel et rapport produit et toutes données recueillies par le contractant ou un sous-traitant au nom des JEC Niagara 2022 sont confidentiels et sont la propriété exclusive des JEC Niagara 2022. Il est interdit au contractant de partager les données des clients, les coordonnées des intervenants de l’industrie ou des participants au programme, ou quelconque matériel concernant le programme, etc. sauf si expressément autorisé par les JEC Niagara 2022.

Cette demande de prix ne couvre aucun coût engagé par la préparation de la proposition ou l’approvisionnement des services sous contrat. Les JEC Niagara 2022 se réservent le droit d’accepter ou de refuser toute proposition reçue en réponse à cette DP, de négocier avec les soumissionnaires qualifiés, et d’annuler la DP, en partie ou dans son intégralité, à sa discrétion exclusive.

Les JEC Niagara 2022 se réservent également le droit de refuser la collaboration avec tout partenaire, fournisseur ou commanditaire qui risque de nuire à l’image de l’organisme ou d’un intervenant quelconque des Jeux.

Modalités de paiement
Veuillez indiquer vos modalités de paiement dans la proposition.

Livraison
Veuillez inclure les frais de livraison, les frais de réapprovisionnement et les délais de réception avant le 31 mai 2022.

Politique de vaccination obligatoire contre la COVID-19
La Société hôtesse exige que tous les membres du personnel et les entrepreneurs soient entièrement vaccinés contre la COVID-19.

Les entrepreneurs qui choisissent de ne pas se faire vacciner ne seront pas autorisés à se présenter sur les sites de la Société hôtesse. Les entrepreneurs doivent confirmer que tous leurs employés se présentant sur les sites de la Société hôtesse sont entièrement vaccinés. L’envoi d’un employé qui n’est pas entièrement vacciné à un site de la Société hôtesse peut être considéré comme un motif pour la Société hôtesse de résilier le contrat avec l’entrepreneur.

Renseignements et précisions supplémentaires

Veuillez adresser toutes vos questions et vos demandes de précisions à la personne-ressource indiquée ci-dessous. Les questions, ainsi que les réponses à celles-ci, seront documentées et transmises à tous les soumissionnaires. S’il y a lieu, elles seront accompagnées d’un addendum.

Les JEC Niagara 2022 demandent que toute soumission comporte une (1) copie numérique de la proposition.

Veuillez envoyer votre  soumission à :

Dan Kennedy
Gestionnaire, Approvisionnement et l’administration des contrats
dkennedy@2022canadagames.ca

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Daily Update: December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021 | Daily Update

The governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to connecting more communities to broadband internet by 2025.

Increased high-speed internet services coming to eight additional municipalities in Niagara

The governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to connecting more communities to broadband internet by 2025. As part of that, construction is underway to connect more than 4,800 homes, farms and businesses in Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, West Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls, Pelham and Wainfleet, to reliable high-speed internet services by December 2022.

This $17.9 million initiative to build three new infrastructure networks in the Niagara region will help ensure that farms and businesses will have the ability to attract new customers, grow their business, create new jobs and stay competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

The expanded fibre-optic service is supported by the governments of Canada and Ontario, each committing $ 3.5 million.

Click here for more details.

Average Canadian house price hit all-time high of $720,850 in November

The average selling price of a resale home in Canada last month was $720,850, topping the previous high set in March of this year. The average house price in Ontario in November was $931,324, representing a 24% increase over last year.

The Canadian Real Estate Association said that the volume of sales was strong, too, with sales increasing by 0.6 per cent from the previous month’s level.

Typically, housing market activity peaks in the spring, before declining through the summer and fall, and slowing further in the winter months before rebounding again. But 2021 has bucked that traditional trend, as sales for the year have already smashed the previous annual record for sales with one month to go.

More than 630,634 homes have been sold on CREA’s MLS system this year, well ahead of the record of 552,423 set in 2020.

Click here for more details.

Canada Summer Jobs 2022: Application period for employers begins today

Today, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien announced the launch of the employer application period for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2022 program. CSJ is a long-standing Government of Canada program that strives to help youth (15–30 years of age) obtain their first summer work experience. The program provides opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills within the not-for-profit, small business and public sectors, and supports the delivery of key community services.

This year, CSJ 2022 is targeting the creation of up to 100,000 full-time summer job opportunities for young people. This represents a 40% increase from pre-pandemic targets. Not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees can apply for funding now until January 25, 2022, to hire young Canadians next summer. Full-time job placements will take place during the summer of 2022.

Click here for more details.

Prime Minister releases new mandate letters for ministers

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, released new ministerial mandate letters to guide the Cabinet in moving Canada forward.

The mandate letters (38 in total, one for each Cabinet minister) outline the government’s commitment to finish the fight against COVID-19 and support a strong economic recovery. The mandate letters also outline the government’s focus on tackling climate change, creating new jobs and growing the middle class, putting home ownership back in reach for everyone, delivering on $10‑a‑day child care, and walking the shared path of reconciliation.

Click here for more details.

Port Colborne City Hall is now available virtually for residents 

Port Colborne residents can now manage property taxes, water, and wastewater bills online with the city’s launch of Virtual City Hall.

This is one of the many upgrades the City of Port Colborne is taking to be a leader in providing a convenient, user friendly customer focused service. This new digital system also promotes paperless billing to reduce environmental impacts and the costs associated with processing/mailing statements to property addresses.

Click here for more details.

Niagara College implements temporary changes to program delivery

Due to the given current COVID-19 trends and the uncertainty around the rise of the Omicron variant, Niagara College is implementing what they expect to be short-term modifications to program delivery for the start of the Winter 2022 term.

They will be providing regular updates in advance of the start of the Winter Term, while they pause a planned increase in on-campus learning by shifting some program elements to remote/online delivery. These changes will be in effect until January 28, at which time they will reassess the delivery mode of these courses for the remainder of the term.

Click here for more details.

Reading Recommendations

Ainslie Cruickshank, The Walrus

More than three years have passed since a panel of scientists convened by the United Nations issued a stark warning: to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change, the world has until 2030 to cut greenhouse gas emissions by almost half. With just under a decade left, transforming Canada’s fossil-fuel-reliant economy in line with that monumental goal requires not only political commitment and innovation but also money—possibly as much as $200 billion in capital spending over the next nine years, according to Ryan Riordan, the director of research at Queen’s University’s Institute for Sustainable Finance. More windmills and solar panels need to be manufactured and installed, gas stations need to be upgraded with charging stations, diesel buses need to be swapped with hydrogen-powered ones, and buildings need to be retrofitted for energy efficiency. What’s not yet clear is who will pay for it all.

How driverless cars will change our world

Jenny Cusack, BBC

The promise of driverless technology has long been enticing. It has the potential to transform the experience of commuting and long journeys, take people out of high-risk working environments and streamline the industries. It’s key to helping us build the cities of the future, where our reliance and relationship with cars are redefined – lowering carbon emissions and paving the way for more sustainable ways of living. And it could make our travel safer.

But in order for driverless technology to become mainstream, much still needs to change.

The ultimate vision experts are working towards is of completely driverless vehicles, both within industry, wider transport networks, and personal-use cars, that can be deployed and used anywhere and everywhere around the world.

But with many hurdles in place, what exactly does the next 10 years have in store for autonomous vehicles?

 

The impacts of a changing climate: Canada’s top ten weather stories of 2021

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada presented the 26th annual edition of the Top 10 Weather Stories in Canada.

This year’s stories demonstrate that Canadians across the country are experiencing unprecedented extreme weather, in the form of devastating flooding, widespread wildfires, relentless heatwaves, and powerful tornadoes. Scientists have made a clear link between climate change and more frequent and severe weather events.

Top 10 Weather Stories of 2021

  1. Record Heat Under the Dome
  2. British Columbia’s Flood of Floods
  3. Canada Dry Coast to Coast
  4. Wildfire Season – early, active and unrelenting
  5. Canada rides out four heat waves
  6. Year of the EF2 Tornado
  7. Dreaded Arctic Blast Freezes Canada in February
  8. Another hailer-flooder in Calgary
  9. Hurricane Larry belonged to Newfoundland
  10. January Prairie Clipper

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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: December 15, 2021

December 15, 2021 | Daily Update

The federal government is warning Canadians against all non-essential international travel in the face of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant

Canada advises against international non-essential travel

The federal government is warning Canadians against all non-essential international travel in the face of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Today, Canada’s Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos implored Canadians not to leave the country as provinces ramp up vaccinations to combat the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant, even as efforts to head off a rising COVID-19 wave are complicated by public fatigue over the pandemic. In addition to the new travel warning, Duclos said the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will ramp up the mandatory arrival testing program at the country’s airports.

The announcement came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with provincial and territorial premiers last night to discuss how to respond to Omicron.

Click here for more details.

 

Ontario speeds up COVID-19 booster shots, increases rapid test access and cuts capacity at large events by 50%

Today, the Ontario government announced that it is rapidly accelerating its booster dose rollout by expanding eligibility to all individuals aged 18 and over, as well as shortening the interval to three months following an individual’s second dose.

Starting Monday, December 20, 2021, individuals aged 18 and over will be eligible to schedule their booster dose appointment through the Ontario’s booking portal, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies and primary care settings. Appointments will be booked three months (84 days) after a second dose as the province urgently expands booster eligibility to millions more individuals.

Effective December 18, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., Ontario intends to introduce a 50 per cent capacity limit to the following indoor areas of venues with a usual capacity of 1,000 or more: facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities; entertainment facilities such as concert venues, theatres and cinemas; racing venues; meeting and event spaces; studio audiences in commercial film and television production; museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions; casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and fair, rural exhibitions, and festivals.

As part of the government’s enhanced testing strategy, starting today, up to two million rapid tests will be provided free of charge at pop-up testing sites in high-traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets, public libraries and transit hubs. Pop-up teams will be deployed at nearly 50 locations across the province, including some co-located with GO-VAXX mobile vaccine buses. Most sites will distribute free take-home rapid antigen test kits, subject to supply, and some will offer asymptomatic rapid antigen screening on-site. The government will also make take-home rapid tests available at select LCBO stores, starting with the busiest stores this week and with more stores being added in the coming days.

Ontarians can visit Ontario.ca/holidaytesting to find out if pop-up rapid antigen screening sites will be available in their area. Locations and operating hours will be updated weekly, and no appointment will be required.

Click here for more details.

 

Canada’s inflation rate stays at 18-year high of 4.7%

Canada’s inflation rate remained at 4.7 per cent in November, matching the annual pace seen the previous month.

The data point released by Statistics Canada this morning was in line with economist expectations, tying October’s level, which was the highest inflation rate since 2003.

Inflation rates are soaring around the world right now, as the combination of record government spending, supply chain disruptions and a surge in demand for consumer goods has caused prices to rise quickly.

Click here for more details.

 

Ontario cutting wholesale alcohol prices for restaurants and bars

The Ontario government is cutting LCBO wholesale prices for bars and restaurants, enabling curbside pickup of beer, wine and cider from licensed grocery stores, and freezing the basic beer tax rate.

This change is estimated to provide $60 million in annual support to restaurants, bars and other businesses.

Highlights of the new legal framework for the sale, service and delivery of beverage alcohol include:

  • Allowing licensed grocery stores to offer curbside pickup of beer, wine and cider
  • Streamlining licensing and renewals for businesses through a single primary licence with endorsements for additional activities, such as on-site retail stores or brew pubs
  • Reducing red tape by streamlining reporting requirements for manufacturers
  • Increasing flexibility for grocers to cross-promote beer, cider and wine with non-alcohol products
  • Enhancing social responsibility in the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s Registrar’s Standards by requiring individuals who sell, serve or handle alcohol to recertify their Smart Serve training
  • Making permanent the extension of retail sale hours to 7am to 11pm for alcohol that were put in place in March 2020 in response to COVID-19.

Click here for more details.

Ontario providing new rapid training programs

The Ontario government is supporting the development of up to 250 new rapid training programs that will be available for enrolment in 2022 through the Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund.

This is part of the province’s commitment to create industry-relevant micro-credentials at colleges, universities, Indigenous Institutes and private career colleges. Rapid training programs can help people upgrade their skills to succeed in their current careers or find new employment.

Click here for more details.

 

Welland City Council approved the 2022 municipal budgets

The overall 2022 budgets total just over $159.6 million comprised of the tax-supported operating budget of $73.8million, the rate supported operating budget for water and wastewater of $33.6 million, and the combined capital budgets of $52.2 million.

The 2022 tax-supported operating budget presents a 2.29% tax increase (municipal portion) after assessment growth and includes over $39 million in capital projects next year.

Click here for more details.

 

Government of Canada honours businessperson John Molson with historic designation

Perhaps best-known today for his role in Canada’s brewing industry, John Molson (1763–1836) was one of Montréal’s leading entrepreneurs of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, gaining prominence through his business interests, as well as his political, philanthropic, and cultural contributions to Lower Canada.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Steven Guilbeault, announced the designation of John Molson as a person of national historic significance under the National Program of Historical Commemoration, on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Click here for more details.

Reading Recommendations

Erica Pimentel, Bertrand Malsch, Nathaniel Loh, The Conversation

The year 2021 was marked by several major breakthroughs for cryptocurrencies. For one, new crypto applications like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) gained ground, with sales of these digital assets setting new records at major auction houses. Secondly, Bitcoin made strides towards mainstream acceptance with major websites like Expedia and Microsoft accepting the coin as a means of exchange. Third, in September, El Salvador became the first country in the world to accept bitcoin as legal tender.

There are many more examples of how the market for cryptocurrencies has expanded just in the last year. With this uptick of activity, what’s ahead in 2022 for cryptocurrencies?

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses. Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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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