Daily Update: October 26th, 2021

October 26, 2021 | Daily Update

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the members of Cabinet following this fall’s election.

Prime Minister Trudeau welcomes new cabinet

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the members of Cabinet following this fall’s election, and took the opportunity to reiterate promises to create new jobs and grow the middle class, put home ownership back in reach for Canadians, accelerate our fight against climate change, deliver on $10-a-day child care, and walk the shared path of reconciliation.

Click here to see the full list of new and returning ministers.

Deputy Prime Minister: Government will “focus relentlessly” on jobs and growth

In remarks delivered today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, observed that Canada has now recovered 100 per cent of the jobs lost in the depths of the COVID recession, compared to the United States, which has only recovered 78 per cent. Children are back in school. We have accomplished all of this together, while sticking to health restrictions that have saved lives.

The existing income and business support programs will end on October 23rd, Minister Freeland confirmed. The government will move from the very broad-based support that was appropriate at the height of the lockdowns to more targeted measures that would provide help where it is needed while prudently managing government finances.

Click here to review the full remarks.

Niagara Health to require mandatory vaccination for all staff and physicians

Effective January 27, 2022, all Niagara Health staff and physicians will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to work at Niagara Health, with very few exceptions.

“Mandating full vaccination is in the best interest of our hospital and community,” says Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO at Niagara Health. “It is the natural next step to protect our people, patients and operations against the threat of COVID-19.”

The CEOs of our Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Burlington hospitals, Ontario Hospital Association and the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table are united in the need for mandatory vaccination to enhance safety in hospitals for patients and healthcare workers and reduce the risk of disruptions due to COVID-19. Similar policies have been adopted at hospitals in our region and across the province.

92.8% of staff and physicians at Niagara Health are already fully vaccinated.

Niagara Health will also be implementing a mandatory vaccination policy for visitors unless under exceptional circumstances. This policy will be implemented at a later date, with details communicated to the public in the coming weeks.

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.

Grimsby Green Advisory Committee calls for volunteers

The Town of Grimsby is seeking individuals interested in serving on the Grimsby Green Advisory Committee for the remainder of the current term (term ends December 31, 2022).

There are 2 volunteer positions to be filled.

Click here for more information.

New Port Colborne portal allows residents to pay fees by credit card

The City of Port Colborne has added credit card to the list of payment options for residents to pay their property taxes, water/wastewater bills, parking tickets, and/or invoices received by accounts receivable through a one-time payment portal on their website.

Click here for more information.

Reading Recommendations

Ontario could see 50,000 education workers fired if vaccines mandated, education minister says

CTV News

Up to 50,000 education workers in Ontario could be fired if COVID-19 vaccines were mandated for that sector, the province’s education minister said Tuesday.

Responding to the NDP in question period, Stephen Lecce said such a policy would mean pink slips for tens of thousands of educators when Ontario already faces staffing challenges.

“I think we have to be coupled by realism and ensure that any staff member who enters our school has a double test, a negative antigen test, to ensure they are safe, to ensure our schools could be staffed, and these kids can continue to go to school every day,” he said.

Bank of Canada on cusp of capping stimulus

BNN Bloomberg

The Bank of Canada will continue pulling back its support for the economy at a policy decision this week, paving the way for the start of interest rate increases next year amid inflation worries.

Governor Tiff Macklem is expected to reduce weekly government bond purchases by one half on Wednesday to $1 billion (US$809 million). That will mark the fourth time over the past 12 months the central bank has rolled back a program that has poured hundreds of billions into the financial system since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Policy makers may even go as far as to formally announce they’ll stop growing bond holdings altogether, ending their quantitative easing program and effectively capping stimulus at current levels.

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: October 25th, 2021

October 25, 2021 | Daily Update

The Ontario government is moving to ban non-compete agreements and require employers to develop disconnect-from-work policies.

Ontario to require disconnect-from-work policies, will ban non-compete clauses

The Ontario government is introducing legislation today that, if passed, would ban non-compete agreements and require employers with 25 employees or more to develop disconnecting from work policies, which could include, for example, expectations about response time for emails and encouraging employees to turn on out-of-office notifications when they aren’t working.

Additionally, the legislation will:

  • lift barriers such as Canadian experience requirements for internationally trained individuals to get licenced in a regulated profession
  • require recruiters and temporary help agencies to have a licence to operate
  • require business owners to allow delivery workers to use a company’s washroom if they are delivering or picking up items
  • allow surpluses in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s Insurance Fund to be distributed over certain levels to businesses
  • enable the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to work with entities, like the Canada Revenue Agency, to streamline remittances for businesses.

If the amendments are passed, Ontario would be the first jurisdiction in Canada to ban non-compete agreements in employment and to establish policies that help workers disconnect from their employment responsibilities.

Click here for more information.

Metrolinx in discussion with freight rail to bring expanded GO service to Niagara

Metrolinx has embarked on a multi-billion dollar GO Rail Expansion program which will see frequent two-way rail service being provided on core segments of the GO Rail network in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, connecting communities across the region. In addition, Metrolinx is in discussion with freight rail partners to identify opportunities to increase GO Rail services to Kitchener, Milton, Niagara and Bowmanville, further extending frequent rail service reach into the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region.

Click here for more information.

Niagara Medical Officer of Health offers COVID-19 update

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYE7h4OW08Q

The Medical Officer of Health will next be available to answer questions at a GNCC webinar on November 17.

Canadian housing markets currently cruising between pre- and peak pandemic levels

Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales were little changed between July and August 2021.

The actual (not seasonally adjusted) number of transactions in August 2021 was down 14% on a year-over-year basis from the record set for that month last August. That said, it was still the second-best month of August in history.

“Canadian housing markets appear to be stabilizing somewhere in between pre- and peak-pandemic levels – which is to say, still extremely unbalanced,” said Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s Senior Economist. “As far as campaign promises around building more homes, at least we are finally having the right conversation. But as anyone who has tried to get even a small project done in the last year knows, availability of materials and skilled labour are not dials that can simply be turned up to 11 whenever we decide we need them. And that’s not to mention all the other barriers to building, of which there are many. It’s definitely easier said than done.”

Click here for more information.

COP26 Presidency publishes Climate Finance Delivery Plan

Today, the UK COP26 Presidency is publishing the Climate Finance Delivery Plan, to provide clarity on when and how developed countries will meet the $100 billion climate finance goal and how the financing will prospectively proceed until 2025. In 2009, developed countries agreed to mobilize $100 billion in climate finance per year by 2020, and in 2015 agreed to extend this goal through to 2025. While developed countries have significantly scaled up their support over the last decade, recent trends show that it is unlikely the $100 billion goal was met in 2020.

Click here for more information.

Reading Recommendations

Canadian supply delays come as a warning that future interruptions could be worse

CBC News

According to supply chain experts, the bright side of the current breakdown in the exchange of labour, components and ingredients is that it comes as a warning to Canadian businesses to become more supply-resilient.

Not only is resilience crucial to keeping the Canadian and North American economy ticking when foreign supplies of essential components are cut off by pandemics or bottlenecks, but a growing number of advocates also say techniques such as stockpiling, making more of what we need at home, controlling transportation links and having multiple sources for crucial manufacturing inputs are a vital security concern.

Bank of Canada to raise rates in Q3 next year, possibly sooner: Reuters poll

Reuters

The Bank of Canada will raise rates as early as the third quarter of next year, at least three months earlier than previously expected, according to economists polled by Reuters who see a risk that the increase could come even sooner.

Just last month economists were almost evenly split on the risk of higher rates; now nearly all are saying sooner rather than later.

That shift in view, based on intensifying inflation pressures – owing to global supply chain bottlenecks, labour shortages and rising energy costs – is increasingly shared by forecasters around the world.

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

These data show the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara. The Province of Ontario is now using a provincewide approach to reopening, and these data no longer have any influence on Niagara’s restrictions. Lower numbers are better in all metrics.

December 18December 25January 1January 8January 15January 22January 29
Reproductive number1.41.81.41.11.00.70.9
New cases per 100,000101.2267.3469.8575.8507.1295.5250.6
New cases per day (not including outbreaks)60.7178.7311.7376.9325.4182.7145.7
Percent of hospital beds occupied97%95.2%98.2%103.2%104.5%103.6%106%
Percent of intensive care beds occupied78.8%77.3%87.9%87.9%90.9%89.4%93.9%
Percentage of positive tests6.1%15.6%28.1%28.6%26.6%21.2%16.2%

Last updated: October 16, 2021

Click here for definitions of terms used in this table.

On October 25, there were 6 patients admitted to Niagara Health with COVID-19, 4 of whom were unvaccinated and 2 of whom were fully vaccinated. There were 5 patients with COVID-19 in a Niagara Health Intensive Care Unit.

Over the last 28 days, a Niagara resident vaccinated with 1 dose was 3 times more likely to contract COVID-19, and an unvaccinated person was 5.9 times more likely. The average weekly rate of hospitalized cases in unvaccinated Canadians was 36 times higher compared to fully vaccinated people. Niagara Health has reported that no vaccinated patients have required intensive care to date.

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

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Health.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.

Percentage of population with one dosePercentage of population fully vaccinated
Niagara82.7%78.2%
Ontario84.6%79.1%
Canada84.7%78.6%
United States75%64%
United Kingdom78%72%
Germany76%74%
France80%77%
Italy83%76%
Japan80%79%
World63%53%

Total doses administered in Niagara: 726,443

New daily doses administered to Niagara residents: 419

Last updated: October 25, 2021

Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.

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

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: October 21st, 2021

October 21, 2021 | Daily Update

The Government of Canada is replacing its broad-based business financial aid programs with targeted measures for badly-affected firms.

Government of Canada will not extend business supports, offers targeted programs to replace them for worst-affected firms

Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced that the government is taking targeted action to replace aid programs to businesses. This includes moving from the very broad-based support to more targeted measures that aim to provide help where it is needed.

The government is proposing the following changes to business support programs:

  • Extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022, for eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10 per cent and increase the subsidy rate to 50 per cent. The extension would help businesses continue to hire back workers and to create the additional jobs Canada needs for a full recovery.
  • Deliver targeted support to businesses that are still facing significant pandemic-related challenges. Support would be available through two streams:
    • Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, which would provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs, to hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, and restaurants, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent.
    • Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, which would provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs, would support other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50 per cent.
    • Applicants for these programs will use a new “two-key” eligibility system whereby they will need to demonstrate significant revenue losses over the course of 12 months of the pandemic, as well as revenue losses in the current month.
    • Businesses that face temporary new local lockdowns will be eligible for up to the maximum amount of the wage and rent subsidy programs, during the local lockdown, regardless of losses over the course of the pandemic.
    • These programs will be available until May 7, 2022, with the proposed subsidy rates available through to March 13, 2022. From March 13, 2022, to May 7, 2022, the subsidy rates will decrease by half.

To ensure that workers continue to have support and that no one is left behind, the government proposes to:

  • Extend the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until May 7, 2022, and increase the maximum duration of benefits by 2 weeks. This would extend the caregiving benefit from 42 to 44 weeks and the sickness benefit from 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Establish the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit which would provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers should they be unable to work due to a local lockdown anytime between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.

Click here for details of these programs.

COVID-19 vaccines for children to be expedited following approval

On October 18, 2021, Pfizer submitted an application to Health Canada for regulatory review of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine COMIRNATY for children aged 5-11. The Government of Canada and Pfizer have agreed to an accelerated delivery schedule of this vaccine, pending regulatory authorization. Specifically, Pfizer and BioNTech have shared that deliveries of 2.9 million doses will begin shortly after regulatory authorization so that Canada receives enough doses to administer a first shot for all eligible children.

Click here for more information.

Prime Minister announces standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that, in collaboration with provinces and territories, a standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is now available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, and will be available in the other provinces soon. Canada is also engaging with international partners to obtain recognition and acceptance abroad, so the proof can also be used to facilitate travel around the world.

Click here for more information.

Guidance for using Canada’s COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel

The Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination provides Canadian residents with a reliable way to demonstrate that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 when travelling within and outside Canada. Canadians can get their proof of vaccination from their province or territory (for more information, visit Canada.ca/vaccine-proof).

Each country decides what type of vaccination proof is required, the types of vaccines they accept, the number of doses required, and any exemptions to public health measures. Even with a Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination, a traveller may not be considered fully vaccinated in another country. Canadians should always check the entry and public health requirements of their destination country, as well as the Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories, before booking a trip.

Click here for more information.

Governments of Canada and Ontario invest in agri-food labour force

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) stated that 16,500 agricultural jobs went unfilled in 2017 across Canada and estimates the shortfall to grow to 123,000 by 2029. Ontario is expected to represent the largest share of the shortfall. The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1.5 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to address agri-food labour challenges and build a strong and resilient labour force.

Click here for more information.

Number of EI claimants in Canada dropped 1.5 million in August

By mid-August, most jurisdictions in Canada had lifted most remaining public health measures. Indoor locations, such as restaurants, recreation facilities, personal care services, retail stores, and entertainment venues, were generally permitted to be open, with varying degrees of capacity restrictions. In addition, for the first time since March 2020, fully vaccinated non-essential travellers from the United States were allowed to enter Canada without quarantine requirements on August 9, expanding potential clientele for businesses in tourist areas.

Click here for more information.

Niagara Community Observatory: Remote work experience mixed

During the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately one in every three Canadians were working from home. This is almost three times more than those who worked remotely, at least occasionally, in 2016. Undoubtedly some organizations and people can experience immense benefits from a remote, or hybrid, work arrangement. However, mixed findings suggest that success depends on the characteristics of the organization, the people, the assigned tasks, and whether the right supporting structures are in place when people work away from a physical workplace.

Click here to download the full policy brief.

Reading Recommendations

Canada to wind down broad-based COVID aid programs as economy recovers

Reuters

Canada will not extend existing broad-based COVID-19 support programs for companies and individuals when they expire on Saturday because the economy is recovering well, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Thursday.

Instead, Ottawa will introduce more targeted and less expensive measures to help particularly hard-hit sectors such as the tourism industry.

These new programs will cost a total of C$7.4 billion ($6.0 billion) between Oct. 24 and May 7, 2022, compared with the C$289 billion Canada has already spent, Freeland said.

Canadian Medical Association calls for stricter COVID-19 measures in Saskatchewan

CBC News

The president of the Canadian Medical Association says “it is time to stop asking nicely” when it comes to calling on the Saskatchewan government to adopt more preventative measures to combat the fourth wave of COVID-19.

Dr. Katharine Smart, who lives in the province’s north, issued a statement Thursday, one day after Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, broke down while presenting dire new modelling on the province’s COVID-19 situation.

That modelling suggests the number of Saskatchewan residents infected with COVID-19 and placed under intensive care could more than double by the new year if no additional public health measures are brought in — and if people don’t change their behaviours in the next few weeks.

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

These data show the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara. The Province of Ontario is now using a provincewide approach to reopening, and these data no longer have any influence on Niagara’s restrictions. Lower numbers are better in all metrics.

December 18December 25January 1January 8January 15January 22January 29
Reproductive number1.41.81.41.11.00.70.9
New cases per 100,000101.2267.3469.8575.8507.1295.5250.6
New cases per day (not including outbreaks)60.7178.7311.7376.9325.4182.7145.7
Percent of hospital beds occupied97%95.2%98.2%103.2%104.5%103.6%106%
Percent of intensive care beds occupied78.8%77.3%87.9%87.9%90.9%89.4%93.9%
Percentage of positive tests6.1%15.6%28.1%28.6%26.6%21.2%16.2%

Last updated: October 16, 2021

Click here for definitions of terms used in this table.

On October 20, there were 13 patients admitted to Niagara Health with COVID-19, 10 of whom were unvaccinated and 3 of whom were fully vaccinated. There were 6 patients with COVID-19 in a Niagara Health Intensive Care Unit.

Over the last 28 days, a Niagara resident vaccinated with 1 dose was 3 times more likely to contract COVID-19, and an unvaccinated person was 5.9 times more likely. The average weekly rate of hospitalized cases in unvaccinated Canadians was 36 times higher compared to fully vaccinated people. Niagara Health has reported that no vaccinated patients have required intensive care to date.

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

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Health.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.

Percentage of population with one dosePercentage of population fully vaccinated
Niagara82.7%78.2%
Ontario84.6%79.1%
Canada84.7%78.6%
United States75%64%
United Kingdom78%72%
Germany76%74%
France80%77%
Italy83%76%
Japan80%79%
World63%53%

Total doses administered in Niagara: 723,538

New daily doses administered to Niagara residents: 764

Last updated: October 21, 2021

Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.

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

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: October 20th, 2021

October 20, 2021 | Daily Update

Ontario government will require businesses to grant washroom access for delivery drivers picking up or dropping off

The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation that would, if passed, allow delivery workers access to company washrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up items. Consultations conducted by the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee have indicated that couriers, truck drivers, and people who deliver food, including those for online delivery platform companies such as SkipTheDishes, are often denied use of a washroom at businesses they serve.

Click here for more information.

COVID-19 vaccine recommended for pregnant, breastfeeding or individuals trying to conceive

Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara’s Community Coordination Task Force for COVID-19 Vaccination are urging individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as vaccine uptake among those groups in Niagara remains low.

As of Oct. 3, 2021, Niagara was well below the provincial average in vaccinating pregnant individuals. Niagara is currently seventh lowest out of 34 health units across Ontario, with only 57 per cent of pregnant individuals that have received a first dose of COVID-19, and only 49 per cent having received a second dose.

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.

Canadian Chamber: Small businesses in hardest hit sectors living day to day, need certainty on CEWS and CERS

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Director of Parliamentary Affairs and SME Policy, Alla Drigola Birk, today issued the following statement about the lack of certainty for continued support for small businesses in the hardest-hit sectors.

“In a week celebrating the importance and contribution of small businesses to Canada’s social and economic success, there’s a painful irony for the millions of men and women still struggling daily to make ends meet in Canada’s hardest hit sectors. With only three days to go before the rent and wage subsidy programs lapse, there is still no word from the federal government on their intention to make good on their promise to extend the badly needed help.

Extending the current programs through to November needs to be done without delay. This needs to be followed by a retooled program focusing on the hardest hit sectors through to Spring 2022.

The pandemic has already closed nearly 200,000 Canadian businesses so far, or roughly 15 per cent of Canada’s primary job creation engine. We can’t fail those businesses who did everything they were asked to keep all Canadians safe by letting them fail now.”

Click here for more information.

September’s rate of inflation greatest since 2003, gasoline prices up almost one-third since last year

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.4% on a year-over-year basis in September, the fastest pace since February 2003 and up from a 4.1% gain in August. Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose 3.5% year over year in September.

The monthly CPI rose 0.2% in September, the same growth rate as in August. Month-over-month CPI growth has been positive for nine consecutive months. Prices rose year over year in every major component in September, with transportation prices (+9.1%) contributing the most to the all-items increase. Higher shelter (+4.8%) and food prices (+3.9%) also contributed to the growth in the all-items CPI for September. Prices at the gas pump rose 32.8% compared with September last year.

Click here for more information.

Bank of Canada: businesses anticipate stronger demand, but supply constraints will limit sales

Firms anticipate stronger demand as pandemic conditions improve, according to results from the Business Outlook Survey in the third quarter of 2021. However, many businesses face supply constraints that will limit their sales and put upward pressure on their costs. Together, these demand pressures and supply challenges are driving widespread plans to invest, hire staff and increase prices.

Click here for more information.

Niagara College undergoing landmark cannabis edibles research for agri-food sector

Niagara College is once again at the forefront of cannabis innovation with the launch of its applied research for the safe and reliable development of edibles products to assist the food and beverage sector.

Through the Niagara College Cannabis Edibles Applied Research initiative – administered by the Canadian Food & Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre, part of the Research & Innovation division – experts are conducting R&D in the development of cannabis-infused products such as non-alcoholic beverages, gummies, confectionery and baked goods for industry partners.

Click here for more information.

Parliament imposes mandatory vaccination rule on most MPs

Most members of Parliament — and anyone else entering the House of Commons — will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when Parliament returns on Nov. 22.

The Board of Internal Economy, Parliament’s governing body responsible for administrative rules, announced the requirement today.

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

City of Welland to seek public input on budget

The City of Welland’s Budget Review Committee (BRC) kicked off the 2022 budget process last week, and yesterday Council approved the timeline to discuss and gather public input on 2022 operating, capital, and water and wastewater budgets. To engage the public, the City created an Your Budget Talks 2022 on the City’s YourChannel for idea sharing ideas, the opportunity to learn about the impacts of a municipal budget, and to view the timeline for various budget deliberations.

In addition to the online engagement, two public meetings are scheduled for Monday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 8, both at 5 p.m.

Click here for more information (PDF link).

Fort Erie CAO to retire in February

Tom Kuchyt, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Town of Fort Erie, has announced his retirement effective February 2022, after 14 years of service with the municipality.

To ensure the Town finds the right candidate, the Town will be enlisting the services of an outside hiring firm along with a recruitment committee consisting of Mayor Wayne Redekop, Councillor Marina Butler and Councillor George McDermott.

Click here for more information (PDF link).

Welland to require proof-of-vaccination for all City employees

The City of Welland adopted a vaccine status policy on October 19, supporting measures to fight against COVID-19. This policy applies to all City employees, including full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary, casual, students, volunteers, Councillors attending in-person meetings, contractors, and vendors.

The policy’s procedure outlines that proof of vaccination is required by November 19. For those not fully vaccinated, including those with a medical or Human Rights Code exemption or those who do not wish to disclose their vaccination status, a negative Rapid Antigen Screening test must be submitted twice a week beginning December 2.

Click here for more information (PDF link).

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

Reading Recommendations

Canada’s inflation rate hits 18-year high, puts focus on central bank rate policy

Reuters

Canada’s annual inflation rate accelerated to an 18-year-high in September, driven by high gas prices, soaring housing costs and rising food prices, data showed on Wednesday, putting the focus on the Bank of Canada ahead of a rate decision next week.

Inflation increased to 4.4%, beating the average analyst estimate of 4.3%, to reach its fastest clip since February 2003, Statistics Canada data showed. It was the sixth consecutive month in which headline inflation topped the central bank’s 1-3% control range.

“It suggests there is still momentum at the margin in terms of inflationary pressures that can’t be just dismissed on base effects and other factors. So it’s still a sustained overshoot,” said Derek Holt, vice president of capital markets economics at Scotiabank.

Facebook to rebrand itself and focus on the metaverse

CBC News

Facebook Inc., under fire from regulators and lawmakers over its business practices, is planning to rebrand itself with a new group name that focuses on the metaverse, the Verge reported on Tuesday.

The name change will be announced next week, according to technology blog The Verge, which cited a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been talking up the metaverse, a digital world where people can move between different devices and communicate in a virtual environment, since July. The group has invested heavily in virtual reality and augmented reality, developing hardware such as its Oculus VR headsets and working on AR glasses and wristband technologies.

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

These data show the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara. The Province of Ontario is now using a provincewide approach to reopening, and these data no longer have any influence on Niagara’s restrictions. Lower numbers are better in all metrics.

December 18December 25January 1January 8January 15January 22January 29
Reproductive number1.41.81.41.11.00.70.9
New cases per 100,000101.2267.3469.8575.8507.1295.5250.6
New cases per day (not including outbreaks)60.7178.7311.7376.9325.4182.7145.7
Percent of hospital beds occupied97%95.2%98.2%103.2%104.5%103.6%106%
Percent of intensive care beds occupied78.8%77.3%87.9%87.9%90.9%89.4%93.9%
Percentage of positive tests6.1%15.6%28.1%28.6%26.6%21.2%16.2%

Last updated: October 16, 2021

Click here for definitions of terms used in this table.

On October 20, there were 13 patients admitted to Niagara Health with COVID-19, 10 of whom were unvaccinated and 3 of whom were fully vaccinated. There were 6 patients with COVID-19 in a Niagara Health Intensive Care Unit.

Over the last 28 days, a Niagara resident vaccinated with 1 dose was 3 times more likely to contract COVID-19, and an unvaccinated person was 5.9 times more likely. The average weekly rate of hospitalized cases in unvaccinated Canadians was 36 times higher compared to fully vaccinated people. Niagara Health has reported that no vaccinated patients have required intensive care to date.

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

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Health.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.

Percentage of population with one dosePercentage of population fully vaccinated
Niagara82.7%78.2%
Ontario84.6%79.1%
Canada84.7%78.6%
United States75%64%
United Kingdom78%72%
Germany76%74%
France80%77%
Italy83%76%
Japan80%79%
World63%53%

Total doses administered in Niagara: 722,769

New daily doses administered to Niagara residents: 731

Last updated: October 20, 2021

Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.

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

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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Espresso Live: Monthly Update with Dr. Hirji, October 19, 2021

October 20, 2021 | Espresso Live Webinars, Event Recordings

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

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

You may also order Rapid Antigen Screening Kits for your business:
https://gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits/

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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Daily Update: October 19th, 2021

October 19, 2021 | Daily Update

A new Business Registry will make it easier, simpler, and cheaper for businesses and not-for-profits to access government services.

Ontario Business Registry launched

Today, Ross Romano, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, joined by Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, launched the new Ontario Business Registry, which aims to make it easier, simpler, and more affordable for businesses and not-for-profit corporations to access government services.

Ontario businesses and not-for-profit corporations can visit Ontario.ca/BusinessRegistry for more information and to access the Ontario Business Registry.

Click here for a list of some of the services offered by the Business Registry.

Canadian consumers plan to increase spending significantly but remain cautious because of Delta variant

The Bank of Canada’s third quarter Canadian Survey of Consumer Expectations has revealed that:

  • Consumers plan to increase their spending significantly but remain cautious because of the Delta variant. More than 40 percent of respondents reported saving more than usual during the pandemic, often because they reduced their spending.
  • Roughly three-quarters of respondents indicated that they are willing to participate in at least a modest level of in-person activity.
  • Canadians think inflation will be higher in the near term due to supply disruptions, but they do not expect this situation to last. Inflation expectations remain well anchored.
  • People are more willing to change jobs amid increased confidence in the labour market. However, visible minorities, Indigenous people and people with disabilities are much more likely than other Canadians to report concerns about losing their job.
  • Since the pandemic, Canadians attach more value to a job with suitable hours. Many respondents also indicated that they would like to work in a different industry.
  • Canadians are not expecting significant wage gains despite recent improvements in the labour market and perceptions of higher inflation.

Click here for more information.

New tourism destination brand looks to inspire economic growth in Lincoln

The Town of Lincoln has embraced a new tourism and destination brand identity, the Niagara Benchlands.   The Town of Lincoln’s Committee of the Whole unanimously supported the new tourism and brand identity during its meeting on October 18.

The Town’s Economic Development and Tourism team continues to work in partnership with Lincoln’s local tourism sector and strategic tourism partners to roll out the Town’s five-year Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2025) which was adopted by Council in June 2020.

Click here for more information.

St. Catharines Site COVID-19 assessment centre extends hours

The Niagara Health assessment centre in St. Catharines is extending its hours twice a week starting on Oct. 19 to increase appointment availability. The drive-in centre will take appointments for a COVID-19 test from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Click here for more information.

Pfizer-BioNTech requests Health Canada authorize Comirnaty vaccine for children aged 5 to 11

Health Canada received a submission from Pfizer-BioNTech seeking an authorization for the use of its Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11 years of age. As with all COVID-19 vaccines, the Department will prioritize the review of this submission, while maintaining its high scientific standards for safety, efficacy and quality.

This is the first submission Health Canada has received for the use of a COVID-19 vaccine in this younger age group. Health Canada will only authorize the use of Comirnaty if the independent and thorough scientific review of all the data included in the submission showed that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the potential risks in this age group.

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.

Reading Recommendations

Markets increasingly betting Bank of Canada will hike earlier than forecast — three rate rises seen in 2022

Financial Post

Traders are betting that the Bank of Canada will be forced into raising interest rates earlier than expected, posing one of the stiffest tests yet for Governor Tiff Macklem.

Bets in the overnight swaps market are increasingly tilting toward a move early next year, well ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Traders have now priced in three hikes in Canada by the end of 2022, which would bring the policy rate to 1 per cent from the current 0.25 per cent.

That’s about 50 basis points higher than markets were expecting just a month ago. The shift in pricing is increasingly at odds with Macklem’s guidance that borrowing costs won’t increase until slack is absorbed and inflation returns sustainably to its target range.

The bank has said repeatedly it doesn’t see that happening until the second half of next year.

Covid-19: How effective is a third vaccine dose?

BBC Future

Now that it’s clear the world is likely to be riddled with Covid-19 – and its many variant successors – for years to come, the next big question is whether two doses of each vaccine is enough.

Are we likely to start seeing significant numbers of deaths? How effective are booster doses anyway – and what’s the best way to administer them? From radically diverging immunity in different groups of people to the – small – hypothetical possibility that third doses of certain vaccines could actually decrease the amount of immunity we have, there are many scientific reasons that booster programmes are a very different endeavour to the initial vaccine rollout.

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

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

These data show the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara. The Province of Ontario is now using a provincewide approach to reopening, and these data no longer have any influence on Niagara’s restrictions. Lower numbers are better in all metrics.

December 18December 25January 1January 8January 15January 22January 29
Reproductive number1.41.81.41.11.00.70.9
New cases per 100,000101.2267.3469.8575.8507.1295.5250.6
New cases per day (not including outbreaks)60.7178.7311.7376.9325.4182.7145.7
Percent of hospital beds occupied97%95.2%98.2%103.2%104.5%103.6%106%
Percent of intensive care beds occupied78.8%77.3%87.9%87.9%90.9%89.4%93.9%
Percentage of positive tests6.1%15.6%28.1%28.6%26.6%21.2%16.2%

Last updated: October 9, 2021

Click here for definitions of terms used in this table.

On October 18, there were 15 patients admitted to Niagara Health with COVID-19, 11 of whom were unvaccinated and 4 of whom were fully vaccinated. There were 5 patients with COVID-19 in a Niagara Health Intensive Care Unit.

Over the last 28 days, a Niagara resident vaccinated with 1 dose was 3 times more likely to contract COVID-19, and an unvaccinated person was 6.5 times more likely. The average weekly rate of hospitalized cases in unvaccinated Canadians was 36 times higher compared to fully vaccinated people. Niagara Health has reported that no vaccinated patients have required intensive care to date.

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

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Health.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.

Percentage of population with one dosePercentage of population fully vaccinated
Niagara82.7%78.2%
Ontario84.6%79.1%
Canada84.7%78.6%
United States75%64%
United Kingdom78%72%
Germany76%74%
France80%77%
Italy83%76%
Japan80%79%
World63%53%

Total doses administered in Niagara: 721,941

New daily doses administered to Niagara residents: 985

Last updated: October 19, 2021

Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.

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

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: October 18th, 2021

October 18, 2021 | Daily Update

The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation to require temp agencies and recruiters to have a licence to operate in the province.

Government of Ontario to require temp agencies and recruiters to be licensed

The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would require temporary help agencies (THAs) and recruiters to have a licence to operate in the province. Proposed changes would enable officers to levy penalties against an unlicensed THA or recruiter or a business who is using an unlicensed operator. As well, those who use deceitful recruiters could be required to repay workers for illegal fees charged.

Inspections by ministry officers have shown that there are multiple temporary help agencies in Ontario that are illegally paying people below the minimum wage and denying other basic employment rights. In doing so, they gain an unfair competitive advantage over law-abiding agencies by undercutting rates.

Click here for more information.

Minister Ng highlights importance of small businesses in Canada’s economic recovery during Small Business Week

Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, joined Canadians from coast to coast to coast to kick off 2021 Small Business Week, which recognizes and celebrates the resilience and innovation of entrepreneurs across the country.

Minister Ng highlighted the government’s commitment to support small businesses through the pandemic and into recovery—from historic support programs for rent, wages and operating costs, to the most small business–friendly budget in Canadian history in Budget 2021.

This includes encouraging Canadians to shop local, increasing their confidence through POST Promise, and partnering with chambers of commerce and business associations across the country to deliver rapid tests and encourage Canadians to get vaccinated.

Click here for more information.

Governments of Canada and Ontario to fund farmers in Lake Erie watershed

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing $2.58 million to protect the province’s lakes and water sources by helping farmers implement sustainable farming practices that build more resilient farm operations.

Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), the final Lake Erie Agriculture Demonstrating Sustainability (LEADS) initiative intake, will support on-farm projects that improve soil health and reduce the risk of nutrient losses on their farms while improving water quality in the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair watershed areas.

The intake will open on November 2, 2021 and close on November 8, 2021. During this time, farmers can apply for cost-share funding for projects that benefit Lake Erie as well as support productivity and soil health for more acres of Ontario farmland.

Click here for more information.

Leave it out for the Lions food drive for Port Cares returns

The Port Colborne and Wainfleet Lions Clubs are once again going door-to-door on Saturday, October 23, to collect non-perishable food items for Port Cares’ Reach Out Centre food bank, which needs the help now more than ever.

The Lions Clubs have led this food drive for more than 40 consecutive years. It has historically been the food drive that has supplied the food bank through the harsh winter months. With Covid-19 much has changed – this year like last year, organizers are not able to have community members sort food donations at a local church.

Click here for more information.

Reading Recommendations

Canada’s ‘tax the rich’ plan leaves big debt risk untouched

Reuters

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new government is set to impose higher taxes on Canadians, which will help fund some campaign promises but are not broad enough to also start paying down the country’s record levels of debt, leaving Canada vulnerable to the next economic crisis, analysts say.

This could be a risky strategy for the country, which piled on new debt at a faster pace than any of its Group of Seven peers during the pandemic. The high level of indebtedness could limit Canada’s ability to manage long-term challenges that require massive government funding, like transitioning from a fossil fuel-reliant economy to a green one.

A far higher debt-to-GDP ratio post-pandemic means Canada has far less wiggle room to respond to the next crisis, be it economic, trade, climate or health-related, analysts say.

Strong Canadian business and consumer sentiment collide with capacity constraints, inflation worries

Financial Post

Canadian business and consumer sentiment was upbeat in the third quarter, but inflation pressures, labour shortages, and supply-chain disruptions pose challenges to the country’s economic outlook, according to a new central bank survey.

Canadian business confidence grew in the third quarter to the highest level since 2003, thanks to sizable demand both domestically and abroad, according to the Bank of Canada’s quarterly Business Outlook Survey released Monday. As Canadians resume normal spending activities, this growing demand is prompting a greater share of firms to increase their capital expenditures and staffing levels over the next year.

“A growing number of respondents plan to increase wages to address challenges in attracting and retaining labour,” the bank said, corroborating other studies that suggest employers are grappling with worker shortages. “Firms intend to continue passing increases in labour and other input costs on to their customers.”

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

These data show the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara. The Province of Ontario is now using a provincewide approach to reopening, and these data no longer have any influence on Niagara’s restrictions. Lower numbers are better in all metrics.

December 18December 25January 1January 8January 15January 22January 29
Reproductive number1.41.81.41.11.00.70.9
New cases per 100,000101.2267.3469.8575.8507.1295.5250.6
New cases per day (not including outbreaks)60.7178.7311.7376.9325.4182.7145.7
Percent of hospital beds occupied97%95.2%98.2%103.2%104.5%103.6%106%
Percent of intensive care beds occupied78.8%77.3%87.9%87.9%90.9%89.4%93.9%
Percentage of positive tests6.1%15.6%28.1%28.6%26.6%21.2%16.2%

Last updated: October 9, 2021

Click here for definitions of terms used in this table.

On October 15, there were 14 patients admitted to Niagara Health with COVID-19, 10 of whom were unvaccinated and 4 of whom were fully vaccinated. There were 5 patients with COVID-19 in a Niagara Health Intensive Care Unit.

Over the last 28 days, a Niagara resident vaccinated with 1 dose was 3 times more likely to contract COVID-19, and an unvaccinated person was 6.5 times more likely. The average weekly rate of hospitalized cases in unvaccinated Canadians was 36 times higher compared to fully vaccinated people. Niagara Health has reported that no vaccinated patients have required intensive care to date.

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

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Health.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.

Percentage of population with one dosePercentage of population fully vaccinated
Niagara82.7%78.2%
Ontario84.6%79.1%
Canada84.7%78.6%
United States75%64%
United Kingdom78%72%
Germany76%74%
France80%77%
Italy83%76%
Japan80%79%
World63%53%

Total doses administered in Niagara: 720,953

New daily doses administered to Niagara residents: 592

Last updated: October 18, 2021

Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.

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

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: October 15th, 2021

October 15, 2021 | Daily Update

The Ontario government is making the enhanced vaccine certificate and the verification app Verify Ontario available in advance.

Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate with QR Code and Verify Ontario App available now

In advance of October 22, the Ontario government is making the enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code and the free verification app, Verify Ontario, available for download. Together, these tools are designed to make it easier, more secure and convenient for individuals to provide proof of vaccination where required to do so, and for businesses and organizations to verify vaccine certificates while protecting people’s privacy.

To ensure a smooth user experience, the province is initially making the enhanced vaccine certificates available for download in cohorts. Enhanced vaccine certificates with official QR codes will be made available for download from the COVID-19 vaccination portal over three days based on birth month:

  • October 15, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between January and April
  • October 16, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between May and August
  • October 17, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between September to December

A guide for businesses can be downloaded here (PDF link).

An FAQ document for the public is available here.

Click here to review the media release.

Prime Minister announces the dates of the Cabinet swearing-in and return of Parliament

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the swearing-in ceremony of the Cabinet will take place on October 26, 2021, and that Parliament will return on November 22, 2021.

The new Cabinet will remain gender balanced, and will continue to deliver for Canadians and find real solutions to the real challenges of today and tomorrow. As announced last month, Chrystia Freeland will continue to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. With the reconvening of Parliament, the Government of Canada will also deliver a new Throne Speech.

Click here for more information.

Ontario launches pilot program to help industrial sites get “investment ready” sooner

Today, the Ontario government launches a pilot program to help municipalities and landowners prepare industrial sites for investments that will drive regional growth and job creation.

The Site Readiness Program is a funding initiative to help industrial sites become more equipped to attract investment. Sites of five acres or more and with varying capacity for utility servicing are eligible to apply. The one-year program will allow both urban and rural municipalities to help close a critical gap in the inventory of industrial lands used to attract global investment opportunities.

The Job Site Challenge identifies potential mega sites, and the Investment Ready: Certified Site Program provides provincial certification and marketing support for sites once certain due diligence has been completed.

Click here for more information.

Ontario will permit sale of local craft beer at farmers’ markets

The Ontario government is supporting jobs in the province’s hospitality and agriculture sectors by allowing eligible local brewers to sell their beer at farmers’ markets. Expanding the farmers’ market program to include beer, announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget, is part of the government’s commitment to support brewers, winemakers and distillers working in the province’s alcohol manufacturing industries and to help them respond to the impacts of COVID-19.

Brewers whose full brewing process takes place in Ontario at their own brewery are permitted to sell their products at farmers markets.

Licensed eligible brewers across the province can apply to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to occasionally extend their on-site stores to sell Ontario beer at farmers’ markets.

Click here for more information.

City of St. Catharines seeks public engagement on 2022 budgets

The City of St. Catharines is introducing new ways, alongside established methods, for the public to learn more about and provide input on the 2022 budget.

The first of two online open house will have City Councillors from the north side of the city — Wards 3, 5 and 6 — in attendance and will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25. The second, with City Councillors representing the south of the city, will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. Both will be held via Zoom and livestreamed on YouTube.

Those wishing to attend and ask questions can participate via telephone or Zoom. Participants must register by Oct. 22 at noon. Information on how to register, including an online form for Zoom registration, can be found at stcatharines.ca/BudgetTalk.

Click here for more information.

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s 2022 Budget Survey open for engagement

The Town’s 2022 budget survey has launched on Join the Conversation, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s online engagement platform, to receive feedback from residents, business owners and community stakeholders. Until midnight on Sunday, November 7, 2021, members of the public are invited to provide input on priorities.

Have your voice heard about the Town’s 2022 budget by joining the conversation at jointheconversationnotl.org/2022budget.

Click here for more information.

Reading Recommendations

GM Canada announces mandatory vaccine policy

CTV News

General Motors Canada has announced that effective Dec. 12, all personnel must be full vaccinated against COVID-19.

According to a statement from the company, the policy applies to, “all GM Canada employees, including any contractors, vendors and visitors to the facilities.”

A release also says, “We are joining many other companies, from multiple sectors, supporting public-health initiatives to increase vaccination rates and further reduce the impact of COVID-19 across Canada.”

Canada’s tight housing market posts first sales gain in 6 months

BNN Bloomberg

Canada posted its first nationwide home sales increase in six months as the end of summer vacations and a steadily improving economy boosted the market.

National home sales rose 0.9 per cent in September from the month before, the first monthly increase in transactions since March as benchmark home prices rose 1.7 per cent, according to data released Friday by the Canadian Real Estate Association. Even as sales picked up, however, the amount of new housing supply hitting the market fell 1.6 per cent, putting a slim majority of local markets back into sellers’ territory, according to the report.

Stop the Meeting Madness

Harvard Business Review

Poking fun at meetings is the stuff of Dilbert cartoons—we can all joke about how soul-sucking and painful they are. But that pain has real consequences for teams and organizations. In our interviews with hundreds of executives, in fields ranging from high tech and retail to pharmaceuticals and consulting, many said they felt overwhelmed by their meetings—whether formal or informal, traditional or agile, face-to-face or electronically mediated. One said, “I cannot get my head above water to breathe during the week.” Another described stabbing her leg with a pencil to stop from screaming during a particularly torturous staff meeting. Such complaints are supported by research showing that meetings have increased in length and frequency over the past 50 years, to the point where executives spend an average of nearly 23 hours a week in them, up from less than 10 hours in the 1960s. And that doesn’t even include all the impromptu gatherings that don’t make it onto the schedule.

Much has been written about this problem, but the solutions posed are usually discrete: Establish a clear agenda, hold your meeting standing up, delegate someone to attend in your place, and so on. We’ve observed in our research and consulting that real improvement requires systemic change, because meetings affect how people collaborate and how they get their own work done.

Featured Content

Tourism and Gender Employment Update

NWPB has released a new set of data on our tourism employment and gender-driven research hub. This update, which tracks employment and job demand in Niagara’s tourism supporting sectors, while also offering a gender-focused measure of local employment trends, is available through this link.

NWPB tracks these data because COVID-19 has significantly impacted employment across the tourism sector. Additionally, the pandemic saw women experience greater employment losses than men. In September 2021, we saw that both men and women’s employment had surpassed pre-pandemic levels (considered here as February 2020).

Some trends from the latest update to data include:

  • Total employment increases across all industries between August and September of 2021
  • Tourism-supporting industries reporting an increase in employment across this same period.
  • An estimated 1,135 available job posts in September for tourism-supporting occupations. Jobs with the most demand included retail salespersons and food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related occupations.

These reports as well as job demand tools for both employers and job seekers can be found at our website, www.nwpb.ca.

Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker

These data show the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara. The Province of Ontario is now using a provincewide approach to reopening, and these data no longer have any influence on Niagara’s restrictions. Lower numbers are better in all metrics.

December 18December 25January 1January 8January 15January 22January 29
Reproductive number1.41.81.41.11.00.70.9
New cases per 100,000101.2267.3469.8575.8507.1295.5250.6
New cases per day (not including outbreaks)60.7178.7311.7376.9325.4182.7145.7
Percent of hospital beds occupied97%95.2%98.2%103.2%104.5%103.6%106%
Percent of intensive care beds occupied78.8%77.3%87.9%87.9%90.9%89.4%93.9%
Percentage of positive tests6.1%15.6%28.1%28.6%26.6%21.2%16.2%

Last updated: October 9, 2021

Click here for definitions of terms used in this table.

On October 14, there were 14 patients admitted to Niagara Health with COVID-19, 10 of whom were unvaccinated and 4 of whom were fully vaccinated. There were 5 patients with COVID-19 in a Niagara Health Intensive Care Unit.

Over the last 28 days, a Niagara resident vaccinated with 1 dose was 3 times more likely to contract COVID-19, and an unvaccinated person was 6.5 times more likely. The average weekly rate of hospitalized cases in unvaccinated Canadians was 36 times higher compared to fully vaccinated people. Niagara Health has reported that no vaccinated patients have required intensive care to date.

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

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Health.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.

Percentage of population with one dosePercentage of population fully vaccinated
Niagara82.7%78.2%
Ontario84.6%79.1%
Canada84.7%78.6%
United States75%64%
United Kingdom78%72%
Germany76%74%
France80%77%
Italy83%76%
Japan80%79%
World63%53%

Total doses administered in Niagara: 718,462

New daily doses administered to Niagara residents: 1,090

Last updated: October 15, 2021

Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.

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

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.

Share this: