Daily Update: June 25th, 2021

June 25, 2021 | Daily Update

Ontario is accelerating second dose eligibility for all individuals aged 18 and over across the province from Monday, June 28.

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.

Second COVID-19 vaccine doses accelerated for all adult Ontarians

With more than 76 per cent of Ontarian adults having received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and over 30 per cent fully immunized, Ontario is accelerating second dose eligibility to all individuals aged 18 and over across the province.

Starting Monday, June 28, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., all Ontarians aged 18 and over who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine will be eligible to book an appointment to receive their second ahead of schedule. This will accelerate second dose eligibility for approximately 1.5 million Ontarians.

New Niagara COVID-19 vaccination appointments available

New COVID-19 vaccination appointments are now available for the following clinic dates and locations:
  • June 29-30 – Port Colborne, Vale Health and Wellness Centre
  • July 1-10 – Pelham, Meridian Community Centre
  • July 8-13 – Niagara Falls, MacBain Community Centre

Eligible residents can book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination either online through the provincial portal at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling the provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900.

Ontario appoints task force on women and the economy

The Ontario government is creating a Task Force on Women and the Economy. The new task force has been convened to fulfill a commitment in the 2021 Budget – Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy to establish a task force on inclusive economic growth that will seek to address the unique and disproportionate economic barriers women face, particularly in an economy that will look different after COVID‐19.

The Task Force will be chaired by Dr. Karin Schnarr, Associate Professor of Policy & Law at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. The Task Force will meet throughout the summer of 2021 and consider three areas of focus relating to women’s participation in economic growth:

  • supporting women as they enter and re-enter the workforce;
  • supporting women’s entrepreneurship; and
  • removing barriers for women to enter fields in which they are underrepresented, including the skilled trades and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Niagara Regional Council adopts Niagara’s first Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

Approved by Regional Council at its June 24 meeting, Niagara’s first ever Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan aims to strengthen how Niagara’s governments, police service and agencies work together on important safety and well-being issues in our community, and provides a framework to address emerging issues through ongoing engagement and collaboration.

The Plan identifies opportunities for action, alignment and monitoring in four areas of focus: mental health and addictions, housing and homelessness, poverty and income and systemic discrimination.

Government of Canada announces new Natural Infrastructure Fund

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities was joined by John Tory, Mayor of Toronto, to announce a new, $200 million Natural Infrastructure Fund. Under this new program, the first of its kind at the federal level, up to $120 million will be invested in large natural infrastructure projects. The new program will support projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to protect the natural environment, support healthy and resilient communities, contribute to economic growth, and improve access to nature for Canadians.

Government of Ontario to invest $7 million in training for automotive manufacturing sector

The Ontario government is investing $7 million to deliver training and paid job placements in the automotive manufacturing sector for up to 800 people from underrepresented groups. The project will be led by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA).

Starting this month, APMA is working with community agencies and employment service providers to place up to 100 trainees per month with hundreds of auto parts manufacturers across Ontario, most of which are small and medium-sized businesses, and APMA members. Trainees will participate in paid job placement sessions that last a minimum of three months. Participating employers will receive up to $8,000 in supports per trainee, of which a maximum of $3,000 can be used as a wage subsidy and $5,000 to cover costs related to training.

Government of Canada moves to increase transparency in Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program

Today, The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities announced another step in the Government of Canada’s commitment to “Open, Transparent and Accountable Government,” reflecting a mandate commitment to ensure that Canadians have access to accurate and timely information about infrastructure investments in their communities. Starting June 25, Infrastructure Canada will publish on its website the project funding applications it receives from provinces and territories (PT) under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Information is updated on a weekly basis when project lists are received from PTs.

Childcare employment fell by seven times national average during pandemic

With provincially and territorially mandated lockdowns and restrictions on child care services imposed throughout the pandemic, child care workers experienced a 21% drop in employment from February 2020 to February 2021. This compares with a 3% decline in overall employment.

A new study released today, “Child care workers in Canada,” presents an overview of the personal and job characteristics of child care workers in Canada and how these characteristics may have changed over time.

The study shows that nearly 302,000 people were employed as child care workers in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority of them were women, accounting for 96% of early childhood educators and assistants, as well as home child care providers. It also found that child care workers were younger than the average worker in Canada, were overrepresented among immigrant workers and were more likely to be self-employed. In addition, the study found that they earned, on average, less than half the income of other workers.

Reading Recommendations

Unchecked circulation of coronavirus could lead to more variants, WHO’s Tedros says

CBC News

The head of the World Health Organization said the COVID-19 variant first seen in India, also known as the delta variant, is “the most transmissible of the variants identified so far” and that it is now spreading in at least 85 countries.

At a news briefing on Friday, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN agency is concerned about the increasing reach of the delta variant, particularly among unvaccinated populations.

“We are starting to see increases in transmission around the world,” Tedros said, adding that “more cases means more hospitalizations … which increases the risk of death.”

WHO has previously said that two doses of the licensed COVID-19 vaccines appear to provide strong protection against the variant first seen in India, but warned the lack of access to vaccines in poor countries — which have received fewer than two per cent of the billion doses administered so far — makes them extremely vulnerable.

Trudeau eyes summer election to strengthen his grip on power

BNN Bloomberg

Canada’s parliament broke for summer this week, with conditions ripe for Justin Trudeau to trigger an election in a bid to win back complete command of the legislature.

Polls suggest the incumbent Liberals have seen a boost in popularity due to their response to the coronavirus pandemic that could parlay into a majority government. Vaccination rates are climbing fast, allowing for looser public health restrictions, and the economy is rebounding. Speculation is that an election could be called as early as August, with a vote in September or October.

For Trudeau, a majority win would heal the reputational wound of his near-defeat in 2019 and allow him to become one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers, along with his late father, Pierre Trudeau.

Featured Content

Niagara Workforce Planning Board Sector Specific Job Demand Quarterly Report

Niagara Workforce Planning Board

To support Niagara’s businesses and job seekers through COVID-19, NWPB created a new tool to shed light on Niagara’s in-demand jobs, the skills employers prioritize in their job postings, and the level of education typically required for advertised jobs. This tool provides a monthly snapshot, and can be accessed through this link.

When we take a longer view of Niagara’s job demand, we see that the first quarter of 2021 reported an increase in job demand, with a particular emphasis on sales and service occupations. We also saw an increase in demand for jobs in the retail sector and the accommodations and food services sector. These data likely reflect hiring for Niagara’s typical summer economy, albeit an adjusted summer economy with a greater focus on food service over accommodations given the current provincial re-opening plan.

For more insights, please see our quarterly report which covers trends between January and March, and our project page for current and industry-specific job demand profiles.

In addition to these resources, NWPB has a variety of job search tools which are available at our website, www.nwpb.ca

Niagara COVID Stats Tracker (June 19)

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%

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.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Guide

Reproductive number: the average number of new cases each case causes. If each person infects one other person, the rate is 1; if each person infects two people, the rate is 2. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 1.

New cases per 100,000: the total number of new cases per week identified per 100,000 population. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 10.

New cases per day: the total number of new cases identified per day over seven days using a rolling average. This number does not include identified outbreaks.

Percent of hospital beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percent of intensive care beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s intensive care hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percentage of positive tests: the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 0.5%.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 25)

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

Total doses administered in Niagara: 416,754

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 6,995

Ontario will move into Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen on June 30, 2021.

Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70-80% of adults with one dose, 25% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step Two for at least 21 days.

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%

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

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.
Share this:

Daily Update: June 24th, 2021

June 24, 2021 | Daily Update

The Ontario government has announced that it will move the province into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

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.

Ontario will move to Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen on June 30

The Ontario government has announced that it will move the province into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

In order to enter Step Two of the Roadmap, Ontario needed to have vaccinated 70 per cent of adults with one dose and 20 per cent with two doses for at least two weeks, ensuring a strong level of protection against COVID-19. As of June 23, 2021, over 76 per cent of the population in Ontario ages 18 and over have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and over 29 per cent have received their second dose.

The full Roadmap to Reopen can be viewed here.

Click here on a guide to business restrictions in Step Two.

Household-Only Dining Restriction Now Lifted in Niagara

With local COVID-19 case numbers and reproductive rate meeting designated thresholds, the restriction on dining with household members only as part of section 22 orders in Niagara, is being lifted for parties dining outdoors as of today, Thursday, June 24, 2021. All other additional restrictions for food and drink premises remain in effect, as do additional restrictions for shopping malls and retail stores.

Ontario Chambers call for more business support as province reopens

Rocco Rossi, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, has released a statement on behalf of Ontario’s Chambers of Commerce.

“The facts are clear about Ontario’s reopening plan: we have achieved benchmarks for Step Three, yet we are taking a modest earlier move into Step 2. With nearly one-third of Ontarians fully vaccinated and our positivity rate dropping to the lowest since early Fall, we urge government to closely monitor the indicators for reopening so we can confidently move to the next stage of a safe reopening of our economy sooner than anticipated. Continued supports, such as an additional round of the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, will be critical to help keep businesses afloat.”

Reading Recommendations

World’s central banks launch new campaign against cryptocurrencies

CBC News

Recent moves by China to crack down on cryptocurrencies have been devastating to those who jumped on the bitcoin bandwagon this spring after a new buying frenzy had sent the digital units soaring to record highs.

And a report out Wednesday from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), a Switzerland-based financial institution often described as “the central bankers’ central bank,” may mean the worries of digital coin holders are not yet over.

Owned by the Bank of Canada, the Federal Reserve and the rest, the internationally respected financial institution hinted it may launch a renewed challenge, declaring that crypto works against the public good.

What to know about relaxed travel measures for fully vaccinated Canadians

BNN Bloomberg

Relaxed travel rules for fully vaccinated Canadians may make visiting the United States easier for some, but uncertainly around travelling with unvaccinated children is already causing frustration for others, travel experts say.

The federal government still advises against non-essential travel — either by land or by air — to U.S. and international destinations, and the land border closure was recently extended to July 21. By and large, the public has complied.

However, tales abound of questionable cross-border jaunts by some, including a few politicians, who continued to fly throughout the pandemic.

Niagara COVID Stats Tracker (June 19)

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%

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.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Guide

Reproductive number: the average number of new cases each case causes. If each person infects one other person, the rate is 1; if each person infects two people, the rate is 2. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 1. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 1 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per 100,000: the total number of new cases per week identified per 100,000 population. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 10. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 15 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per day: the total number of new cases identified per day over seven days using a rolling average. This number does not include identified outbreaks.

Percent of hospital beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percent of intensive care beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s intensive care hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percentage of positive tests: the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 0.5%.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 23)

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

Total doses administered in Niagara: 409,749

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 6,406

Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70% of adults with one dose, 20% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step One for at least 21 days.

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%

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

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.
Share this:

Roadmap to Reopen, Step Two: What You Need to Know

June 24, 2021 | Daily Update

On 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Ontario will move into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen.

Step Three will be begun when 70-80% of adults in Ontario have been vaccinated, and 25% have received two doses. You can see the progress of Ontario’s vaccinations in the GNCC’s daily update. Step Three cannot be entered until the province has been in Step Two for a minimum of 21 days.

Here is what Step Two means for your business.

Retailers

  • Non-essential retail is permitted to open for in-person shopping at 25 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold. Calculate your capacity here with the Retail Council of Canada’s online tool, using the “Phase 1” dropdown
  • Essential and other select retail is permitted to open for in-person shopping at 50 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold. Calculate your capacity here with the Retail Council of Canada’s online tool, using the “Phase 1” dropdown. “Essential retail” includes:
    • Businesses that primarily sell food, beverages and consumer products necessary to maintain households and businesses including:
      • Supermarkets and grocery stores
      • Convenience stores
      • Discount and big box retailers selling groceries
      • Beer and wine and liquor stores
    • Pharmacies
    • Gas stations and other fuel suppliers
    • Vehicle retail, including auto
    • Hardware
    • Safety Supply Stores
    • Garden Centres
  • If your retail store is open, you must:
    • Provide sufficient alcohol-based hand rub (minimum alcohol concentration of 70 per cent) at every entrance and exit of the establishment, with prompting to use it upon entry and exit
    • Ensure the workplace is arranged to help employees keep two metres distance from each other and from patrons at all times
    • Conduct daily interactive screening of all employees for symptoms of COVID-19, using the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces, or another tool with the same minimum set of questions, such as the COVID-19 Screening Tool developed by Niagara Region Public Health. Answers to daily screens must be collected and retained for at least one month. Consider supplementing daily screening with free rapid antigen test kits
    • Actively monitor compliance and ensure that all patrons, store staff and mall staff, whether inside the mall or retail store under your control, or in the vicinity of a line-up outside the mall or retail store under your control, wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin unless entitled to an exception from this requirement in the Reopening Ontario Act
    • Actively manage all line-ups or groups of patrons congregating and ensure all patrons waiting in line-ups inside or outside the shopping mall or retail store under your control maintain physical distancing of at least two metres
    • Actively monitor compliance with the required capacity limits set in the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c.17 and applicable regulations for the shopping mall, business, place, facility, or premise under your control, and ensure that physical distancing of two metres is maintained by patrons, store staff and mall staff in all common areas, stores, washrooms, hallways, entrances, etc., at all times
  • Retail stores in malls are closed unless the store has a street facing entrance.

Bars, restaurants, and other food & drink establishments

  • Outdoor dining is permitted with up to six people per table, with exceptions for larger households.
  • Karaoke is permitted outdoors.
  • If your establishment is open for dining, you must:
    • Record the following information from every patron who is 16 years of age or older that enters an indoor or outdoor dining area in the establishment, other than patrons who briefly enter the area to place, pick up, or pay for a takeout order:
      • Name
      • One form of contact information (phone number, email address, physical address)
      • Time of arrival and departure
      • Table number or location
      • Attestation that the patron doesn’t suffer from any COVID-19 symptoms, excluding those from a chronic non-contagious existing diagnosis)
    • Retain the above records for a period of at least one month, ensure the records are maintained and stored in a secure manner to preserve privacy of patrons, and appropriately and securely destroy the records after the one month retention period has elapsed
    • Disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request, or as otherwise required by law
    • Refuse service patrons for indoor or outdoor dining on the premises if they don’t provide information for the above records. This is a legal requirement mandated by a Section 22 order in Niagara
    • Conduct daily interactive screening of all employees for symptoms of COVID-19, using the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces, or another tool with the same minimum set of questions, such as the COVID-19 Screening Tool developed by Niagara Region Public Health. Answers to daily screens should be collected and retained for at least one month. Consider supplementing daily screening with free rapid antigen test kits
    • Ensure the workplace is arranged to help employees keep two metres distance from each other and from patrons at all times
    • Ensure that patrons are seated at all times, except while:
      • Entering the area and moving to their table
      • Placing or picking up an order
      • Paying for an order
      • Exiting the area
      • Going to or returning from a washroom
      • Lining up to do anything stated above
      • Necessary for the purposes of health and safety
    • Ensure that patrons seated at different tables are separated by a distance of at least two metres, or by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier

Personal care services

  • Open by appointment only
  • 25% capacity and 5 person limit
  • Patrons must be seated
  • No services may be delivered that require the removal of face masks

Veterinary and pet services

  • Open

Lawn care and landscaping

  • Open

Marinas and boating clubs

  • Permitted with clubhouses, and other indoor amenities closed

Sports, recreational facilities, fitness classes and personal training

  • Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training are permitted with up to 25 people spaced at least 3 metres apart
  • Indoor facilities are closed except for high-performance athletes, child care, mental health and addiction support services, social services, and physical therapy (subject to conditions)
  • All outdoor recreational amenities (e.g. golf courses, tennis courts, skateboarding and BMX parks, shooting and archery ranges) are open
  • Outdoor pools, splash pads, spray pads, whirlpools, wading pools and water slides are open with capacity limited to permit 2 metres physical distancing

Events, attractions, and entertainment

  • Social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people are now permitted outdoors
  • Outdoor meeting spaces are open with 25% capacity limit
  • Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, are capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres
  • Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services are permitted at up to 15 per cent capacity of the particular room
  • Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open outdoors with capacity and other restrictions; indoor facilities may only open for rehearsal or for recording or broadcast
  • Outdoor horse racing tracks and motor speedways are permitted to operate with capacity limits
  • Outdoor attractions such as zoos, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens may open with capacity and other restrictions
  • Indoor meeting and event spaces are closed with exceptions for certain purposes including social services, government operations, court services, in-person examinations for select professions (subject to conditions)
  • Drive in cinemas may open. Indoor cinemas remain closed
  • Performing arts remain closed
  • Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments remain closed
  • Tours and tour guide services remain closed

Day camps and campgrounds

  • Day camps for children are permitted to operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals, is now permitted

Construction

  • All construction is permitted

For questions, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Share this:

Daily Update: June 23rd, 2021

June 23, 2021 | Daily Update

Doug Ford and his cabinet are reported to be considering moving Ontario into Step 2 of the government’s reopening plan next Wednesday.

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.

Ford, cabinet considering moving Ontario into next phase of COVID-19 reopening 2 days early

Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet are considering moving Ontario into Step 2 of the government’s reopening plan next Wednesday, two days ahead of schedule, CBC News has learned.

Sources with knowledge of the discussion said Ford and cabinet are meeting this afternoon. If approved, the announcement is expected to be made tomorrow.

The sources spoke to CBC News on the condition of confidentiality because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Ford said provincial officials are currently reviewing data and are “working hard to get to Stage 2 as quickly as possible, and Step 3 as soon as it’s safe after that.”

GNCC calls for more detail in border reopening plans

In a media release, the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce has stated that the announcement of a partial re-opening for fully-vaccinated people with right of entry gives Canadians the opportunity to travel and will result in a boost for the tourism sectors of other countries, but not our own.

This change has been dubbed “Phase 1,” yet the government’s announcement contained no details as to what Phase 2 would be, when it would start, what public health measurements would indicate that it could start, or even how many total phases were in the border reopening plan.

The government’s own expert advisory council on this issue put forward extensive suggestions in April. However, we have yet to make any distinction between countries where the COVID-19 situation is similar to or better than that found in Canada and those where infection is rampant and healthcare systems are overwhelmed. The existence of different rules for fully vaccinated Canadians and fully vaccinated foreigners has also not been explained.

Border communities, families and devastated tourism operators are rightfully asking to see the complete plan for border reopening. We fully agree that it needs to be guided by public health metrics such as COVID-19 case counts, vaccination rates, hospital capacity, and so forth, but it is time for a clear plan with a roadmap to a full reopening of the border, along with timelines and measurements for each stage of the process.

Ontario releases Tourism Economic Recovery Report

Today, the Ontario government released a report prepared by the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force, which makes recommendations on how to support the province’s $36-billion tourism industry in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report provides 10 key recommendations about how to rebuild and reshape the future of Ontario’s tourism industry. The recommendations include reducing red tape for tourism businesses, restoring consumer confidence in visitors through collaboration between public health officials and the tourism industry and encouraging Ontarians to experience the province through industry co-ordinated travel days. The report also suggests new opportunities to showcase the best Ontario has to offer through itineraries, packages and trails that will make it easier to find local Ontario products and experiences.

Ontario introduces new Code of Ethics for homebuilders

The Ontario government is introducing a new Code of Ethics for builders and vendors of new homes, clarifications to the simplified warranty and protections claims process for defects in new homes, and a mediation process for homeowners who dispute a warranty claim assessment. These changes come into effect on July 1, 2021 and will support a standard of work and professionalism that reflects the best of Ontario’s homebuilding industry.

The Niagara Homebuilders Association and Ontario Homebuilders Association were extensively involved in developing the Code of Ethics and are supportive of it, noting that reputable homebuilders already hold themselves to high ethical standards.

Town of Lincoln launches COVID-19 Business Support Page

In response to feedback gathered in the town’s Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) initiative, a COVID-19 Business Support page, which can be found under the “Let’s Talk Business” tab on the Town’s website, has been launched to connect local businesses with valuable information regarding:

  • Federal, Provincial & Municipal business grants
  • Sourcing Personal Protective Equipment vendors
  • Scheduling training & well-being workshops that focus on mental health in the workplace
  • Regional and Provincial guidelines for businesses during COVID-19.

Local Grimsby businesses are invited and encouraged to participate in the BR&E survey now available on the Town’s Let’s Talk Business portal and engage in an ongoing dialogue by subscribing to the project page.

Town of Lincoln designated as Bicycle Friendly Community

For the first time, the Town of Lincoln has been awarded a Bicycle Friendly Community Award for 2021-2025 at the Bronze designation. The Bicycle Friendly Community Award Program is an initiative of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition to help communities evaluate how bicycle friendly their community is, celebrate progress, and work toward achieving higher-level awards over time.

Moving forward, the Town will continue to work closely with the Active Transportation Citizen Advisory Committee to provide ongoing support and improvement to the Active Transportation Network.

The Committee is currently working with Town staff to launch an Active Transportation Network page on the Town’s public engagement site, SpeakUpLincoln.ca, to share valuable knowledge and information to both locals and visitors to the area.

Retail sales fall in April

Retail sales were down 5.7% to $54.8 billion in April, Statistics Canada reports. The decline coincided with the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and was the largest decline in retail sales since April 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic. The largest declines were observed in clothing and clothing accessories stores (-28.6%) and general merchandise stores (-8.1%).

Sales decreased in 9 of 11 subsectors, representing 74.2% of retail trade.

Based on respondent feedback, 5.0% of retailers were closed at some point in April, compared with approximately one-third of retailers being closed at the same time last year. The average length of the shutdown was one day, compared with eight days in April 2020.

Niagara College to focus on safety, with significant increase in on-campus learning this fall

With a strong focus on ensuring a safe learning environment, Niagara College will see a significant increase in on-campus learning when Fall term classes begin in September.

Recognizing that students need ample time to plan for their studies, delivery modes for all programs and courses have been finalized, with more than 80 programs offering on-campus learning this fall. Many programs will mix remote and in-person learning, while a limited number of programs will see a continuation of fully-remote learning for the fall. Should changes in COVID trends or government restrictions require further changes in program delivery, students will receive updates directly from their program area.

Reading Recommendations

Canada’s Senate vote opens way for single event betting

Reuters

Canada’s Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that will open the way to legalize betting on single games or sporting events, which is currently illegal except for on horse racing.

The vote sent gambling shares higher as it is seen helping them win back customers from offshore websites and U.S. casinos.

After the bill receives royal ascent from the chief justice of the Supreme Court in coming days, it will be up to each of Canada’s provinces and territories to decide how to implement legal betting on sports events.

Disclosure: The GNCC has advocated for single-wager betting to be legalized since the summer of 2016.

Canada races toward key milestone for border opening

BNN Bloomberg

Canada’s accelerating vaccination effort has put the country on track to reach key benchmarks for reopening the U.S. border as early as next month.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has begun citing a 75 per cent two-dose vaccination rate as the threshold to lift border restrictions. That number is about 20 per cent now.

As wide as that gap is, the latest vaccine delivery schedule suggests it could close considerably within the next month, raising the prospect that Canada could move ahead with a comprehensive reopening before the end of the critical summer tourism season.

Niagara COVID Stats Tracker (June 19)

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%

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.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Guide

Reproductive number: the average number of new cases each case causes. If each person infects one other person, the rate is 1; if each person infects two people, the rate is 2. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 1. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 1 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per 100,000: the total number of new cases per week identified per 100,000 population. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 10. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 15 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per day: the total number of new cases identified per day over seven days using a rolling average. This number does not include identified outbreaks.

Percent of hospital beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percent of intensive care beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s intensive care hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percentage of positive tests: the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 0.5%.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 23)

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

Total doses administered in Niagara: 403,333

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 6,617

Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70% of adults with one dose, 20% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step One for at least 21 days.

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%

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

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.
Share this:

Daily Update: June 22nd, 2021

June 22, 2021 | Daily Update

The Ontario government is investing $3.7 million to help people with disabilities get to and from vaccination sites.

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.

Ontario providing accessible rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites

Building on recent success in getting millions of people vaccinated, the Ontario government is investing $3.7 million in a partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association to help people with disabilities, including seniors with mobility issues, get to and from vaccination sites so they can get their shot and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

This initiative will focus on helping people who do not have access to accessible transportation through family, neighbours or community organizations.

Ontario adding mental health workers to OPP communications centres

The Ontario government is investing $8.4 million over three years in a new Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crisis Call Diversion Program. This program will help police offer the most appropriate response to calls from individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, which may include diversion to appropriate mental health services. This investment is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.

Pelham sets 2022 budget schedule

The Pelham capital budget process has been scheduled for completion in December 2021 to enable staff to plan and prepare for 2022. The operating and water and wastewater budgets have been scheduled for completion in January 2022.

The Pelham Finance and Audit Committee will review the 2022 budgets prior to the Council presentation of the budgets.

Cruise ships set sights on Port Colborne

Viking Cruises and Victory Cruise Lines now have Port Colborne on their itinerary list, with Vantage Travel, Pearl Seas Cruises, PONANT Cruises, and Plantour Cruises also scheduled to pass through the Canal. Great Lakes cruise ships typically carry between 180 and 420 guests per vessel and are designed to navigate the narrow-gauge locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Strategies to develop the waterfront and Welland Canal lands in Port Colborne are in progress. This includes forming a project team comprised of Lakeshore Excursions and City of Port Colborne staff.

More information about the City of Port Colborne and its plans to welcome cruise ships to the city’s docks can be found here: www.portcolborne.ca/cruiseships.

Online shopping rose 50% in 2020

During a year when brick and mortar stores were not always an option, many Canadians turned to the Internet for their purchases. More than four in five Canadians (82%) shopped online in 2020, up from 73% in 2018. Online spending rose by approximately one-half over this period, from $57.4 billion to $84.4 billion, Statistics Canada reports.

Just over one in five Canadians (21%) said they shopped online for groceries more frequently than before the pandemic, and 45% shopped more frequently for other physical goods. In fact, 13% of Canadians ordered groceries online for the first time during the pandemic and 9% bought other physical goods for the first time.

In 2020, 38% of Canadians reported purchasing online goods or services from a business specifically because it was Canadian, compared with 29% in 2018. This type of behaviour was most pronounced among those in the 25 to 44 age group, with almost half (49%) reporting that they bought from businesses specifically because they were Canadian.

Niagara Public Health offers COVID-19 update

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mH4kf9GXr0

Reading Recommendations

After a year of pandemic prudence, Canadians likely eager to spend the billions saved

CBC News

Canadians have saved a record amount of money during the pandemic, resulting from the combined impact of reduced spending and collecting more money from government support programs.

Canadians amassed $212 billion last year, versus $18 billion in 2019, according to Statistics Canada. That works out to $5,574 per Canadian on average in 2020, compared to $479 in the previous year.

The average savings rate jumped from 1.3 per cent of disposable income in 2019, to 14.9 per cent in 2020. In April, May and June of 2020, the savings rate peaked at about 27 per cent.

As a result, credit card balances are down, fewer people are behind on payments and credit scores are up, according to credit rating agency Equifax Canada.

Trudeau says border restrictions will be further relaxed ‘in the coming weeks’ if all goes well

CBC News

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signalled today the government is likely to further relax some of the most stringent border measures this summer — but Ottawa has no qualms about keeping the crossing closed for longer if an influx of travellers threatens public health.

The federal government said Monday that fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents can skip the mandatory quarantine when returning from abroad starting the night of July 5. A negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure is still required for all travellers. But the border will remain shuttered to all foreigners — regardless of their vaccination status.

Niagara COVID Stats Tracker (June 12)

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%

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.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Guide

Reproductive number: the average number of new cases each case causes. If each person infects one other person, the rate is 1; if each person infects two people, the rate is 2. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 1. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 1 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per 100,000: the total number of new cases per week identified per 100,000 population. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 10. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 15 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per day: the total number of new cases identified per day over seven days using a rolling average. This number does not include identified outbreaks.

Percent of hospital beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percent of intensive care beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s intensive care hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percentage of positive tests: the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 0.5%.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 22)

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

Total doses administered in Niagara: 396,356

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 4,987

Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70% of adults with one dose, 20% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step One for at least 21 days.

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%

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

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.
Share this:

Daily Update: June 21st, 2021

June 21, 2021 | Daily Update

Beginning July 6, fully vaccinated travellers permitted to enter Canada will not have to quarantine or take a day-8 COVID-19 test.

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.

Partial re-opening of Canadian borders to begin on July 6

Beginning July 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fully vaccinated travellers who are permitted to enter Canada will not be subject to the federal requirement to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day-8. In addition, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel.

To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation.

This phase will continue to restrict entry to Canada of foreign nationals, unless they already meet an exemption set out in the border restrictions, maintains pre- and on arrival testing for all travellers, and monitors for variants of concern.

Being fully vaccinated will not automatically exempt a traveller from quarantine, the mandatory hotel stay, or day-8 testing. Travellers must also electronically submit COVID-19-related information into ArriveCAN in advance of their arrival, meet the pre- and on-arrival test requirements, be asymptomatic, and have a suitable quarantine plan.

For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are no changes to Canada’s current border measures.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, speaking for Canada’s chamber network, remarked that Canadian businesses remain frustrated by the absence of a plan for how our country will eventually reopen borders, especially at a time when more domestic reopening plans are being published. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber, said that “the fact that it is easier for vaccinated Canadians to fly to Paris than it is to drive to Buffalo demonstrates how illogical the present policy is. It is time for common sense, guided by science, to dictate a well considered reopening plan.”

Government of Canada announces $33 million investment in Shop Local campaigns

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced the launch of Shop Local, a Canada-wide investment of $33 million to encourage Canadians to shop locally. Making the announcement from Butter Baker, a bakery in Markham, Minister Ng also stated that nearly $9 million of that total will be invested in Ontario, through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, to support businesses in reopening and staying open so they can thrive as the economy recovers.

The funding will be provided through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce to support awareness-building campaigns that promote consumer confidence and local businesses. The amount of funding allocated to each region will be based primarily on the percentage of small businesses.

Further details will follow.

National Indigenous Peoples Day observed across Canada

June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, the national 25th anniversary of celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.

The Haudenosaunee and Anishinabek are the local Indigenous Peoples of the Niagara region. Statistics Canada has observed the day with a brief profile of First Nations, Métis and Inuit, as well as a look at the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic on Indigenous people. More information can be found on Statistics Canada’s Indigenous Statistics Portal, a central location where users can find links to data and information products related to First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, including community profiles. Brock University’s Aboriginal Student Services (AbSS) has planned more than a dozen virtual events for Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week, while Niagara College Indigenous student success leaders Ashley Buck and Emily Schutt have launched a social media campaign which highlights five virtual ways to celebrate the day.

Called the Iroquois Confederacy by the French, and the League of Five Nations by the English, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, as it is properly called, means “People of the long house.” The confederacy was founded by the prophet known as the Peacemaker with the help of Aionwatha, more commonly known as Hiawatha. The exact date of the joining of the nations is unknown and said to be time immemorial, making it one of the first and longest lasting participatory democracies in the world.

The Anishinabek Nation represents 39 First Nations throughout the province of Ontario from Golden Lake in the east, Sarnia in the south, Thunder Bay and Lake Nipigon in the north. The 39 First Nations have an approximate combined population of 65,000 citizens, one third of the province of Ontario’s First Nation population. The Anishinabek Nation has four strategic regional areas: Southwest, Southeast, Lake Huron and Northern Superior. Each region is represented by a Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief.

More information on the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Anishinabek Nation can be found on their respective websites.

More COVID-19 vaccination appointments available as shortened second dose eligibility expands

As of today, those who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9, 2021 are eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval. A full list of those who are able to book an earlier second dose can be found on the provincial website. Those 12 and older who have not received their first dose are particularily encouraged to book an appointment as soon as possible.

Reading Recommendations

Soaring costs challenge Canadian retailers counting on post-COVID surge

Reuters

Canadian retailers are readying for a post-pandemic rebound as consumers emerge from lockdowns and open their wallets, but higher costs are eroding their profit margins and fanning inflationary pressures.

Skyrocketing transport and input costs – fueled by a global shipping container shortage and surging demand for raw materials – mean prices set a few months ago no longer make sense, especially when demand for goods is so high that certain products are selling out before they even arrive.

Many retailers and importers are sacrificing margins to try to weather what they hope is a temporary imbalance as the world snaps back from the pandemic. But some are also increasing their prices and that is helping feed Canada’s hottest inflation in a decade in May.

Should you take advantage of employer’s offer to work from home? Some say it could be a career-limiting move

CBC News

As vaccination rates rise and employers start to think about resuming regular working routines, many firms are considering adopting a hybrid policy — where workers will divide their time between time in the office and time spent working at home.

Tempting as it may sound to those who love working in their sweatpants and the freedom from a hassle-filled commute, others warn there could be negative career consequences.

“People who use flexible work practices such as telecommuting or working from home can be seen as less devoted to their career, and putting family and personal life first,” said Kimberly Eddleston, a professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at Northeastern University in Boston and co-author of a study that examined the relationship between remote work and career success, as measured by promotions and salary increases.

Niagara COVID Stats Tracker (June 12)

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%

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.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Guide

Reproductive number: the average number of new cases each case causes. If each person infects one other person, the rate is 1; if each person infects two people, the rate is 2. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 1. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 1 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per 100,000: the total number of new cases per week identified per 100,000 population. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 10. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 15 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per day: the total number of new cases identified per day over seven days using a rolling average. This number does not include identified outbreaks.

Percent of hospital beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percent of intensive care beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s intensive care hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percentage of positive tests: the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 0.5%.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 21)

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

Total doses administered in Niagara: 391,351

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 3,942

Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70% of adults with one dose, 20% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step One for at least 21 days.

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%

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

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.
Share this:

Daily Update: June 18th, 2021

June 18, 2021 | Daily Update

Travel restrictions at the border will remain in place until July 21 at the earliest, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair has indicated.

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.

Canada extends U.S. travel restrictions through July 21

Travel restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border will remain in place for at least another month, the CBC has reported. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said the Canadian and American governments are extending restrictions on non-essential international travel until July 21.

He added in a tweet that the government will provide details Monday of plans to let fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents enter the country.

The measures at the border have been in place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The pressure to relax the restrictions has been building from businesses on both sides of the border — and increasingly from American lawmakers — as vaccination rates climb in Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that 75 per cent of Canadians would have to be vaccinated before restrictions could be lifted. To that condition, Trudeau also added the caveat that the outbreak needs to be at a stage where minor flare-ups can be handled without the risk of wider spread.

Premier Ford announces changes to cabinet

Changes to the Executive Council include the following:

  • Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, becomes Minister of Colleges and Universities.
  • Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, MPP for Kanata-Carleton, becomes Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.
  • Parm Gill, MPP for Milton, becomes Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
  • Rod Phillips, MPP for Ajax, becomes Minister of Long-Term Care.
  • Dave Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, becomes Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
  • Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, assumes a merged role as Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, as well as remains Minister of Indigenous Affairs. This new northern and economic focused ministry will enhance development potential and sustainability in the North. Energy will transfer to a new separate ministry.
  • Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte, becomes Minister of Energy.
  • Rosario Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, becomes Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
  • Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, MPP for Brampton South, becomes President of the Treasury Board.
  • Kinga Surma, MPP for Etobicoke Centre, becomes Minister of Infrastructure.
  • Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron Bruce, becomes Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
  • Stan Cho, MPP for Willowdale, becomes Associate Minister of Transportation, reporting to Minister Mulroney.
  • Jane McKenna, MPP for Burlington, becomes Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues, reporting to Minister Fullerton.
  • Nina Tangri, MPP for Mississauga Streetsville, becomes Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, reporting to Minister Fedeli.
  • Kaleed Rasheed, MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville, becomes Associate Minister of Digital Government, reporting to Minister Bethlenfalvy.

Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge and Minister of Finance, will assume responsibility for Ontario’s digital government strategy within the Ministry of Finance.

Housing market continues to moderate in May

Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales and new listings were both down between April and May 2021.

Home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems fell by 7.4% month-over month in May 2021, building on the 11% decline recorded in April. Activity nonetheless remains historically high, but in contrast to March’s all-time record it is now running closer to levels seen in the second half of 2020. (Chart A)

Month-over-month declines in sales activity were observed in close to 80% of all local markets. It was a mixed bag of results, with a slowdown in sales observed in most large markets across Canada.

With May 2021 activity setting a record for the month, and May 2020 sales marking the worst May since the late 1990s, the actual (not seasonally adjusted) number of transactions this year represented a 103.6% increase on a year-over-year basis.

Ward 3 by-election campaigns begin in Welland

Campaigning has begun for the Welland Ward 3 By-Election (PDF link). At the request of Council, staff have prepared safe campaigning practices for the candidates. During the COVID-19 Pandemic information regarding Safe COVID-19 Practices for Campaigning is included in the candidates’ nomination package they receive when they file nomination papers with the City Clerk.

Nominations close June 25, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. (Nomination Day). Voting Day is August 9, 2021. All information is available by visiting this link.

Brock’s 109th Convocation goes live with a message of resiliency

In his final Convocation as President of Brock University, Gervan Fearon sent the Class of 2021 off with words of encouragement, reminding them that they are uniquely prepared to deal with life’s unanticipated developments.

“In my video message to last year’s graduates, I spoke about how the past few months had brought remarkable challenges, compelled us to make astonishing changes and to accept many compromises in our normal routines. But that despite all these considerations, we have collectively persevered and grown from the experience,” said Fearon, whose tenure as Brock President concludes on June 30. “However, I did not foresee at the time that graduates one year later would have completed the past year and a half virtually, through online classes. It is an accomplishment that makes you, the Class of 2021, remarkable, outstanding and, indeed, very special.”

With the pandemic continuing to place restrictions on the size of public gatherings, the University’s Spring Convocation — Brock’s 109th overall — was delivered as a personalized online portal for the nearly 3,300 graduands.

Reading Recommendations

Canadian mortgage debt grew by $18 billion in April, biggest monthly gain ever, StatsCan says

CBC News

Canadians took out almost $18 billion worth of new mortgage debt in April, the fastest monthly increase on record and enough to bring total housing debt to almost $2 trillion.

Statistics Canada reported Friday that while consumers appear to be tightening their belts when it comes to other forms of debt, they seemingly have an inexhaustible appetite to borrow money to purchase and renovate homes.

Canadians had a total of almost $1.69 trillion worth of mortgage debt at the end of April after a $12.9 billion increase in March followed by an even larger one — $17.7 billion — in April. That means total mortgage debt in Canada has grown by 7.8 per cent in the past year.

To stop the ransomware pandemic, start with the basics

The Economist

The first attempt at ransomware was made in 1989, with a virus spread via floppy disks. Cybercrime is getting worse as more devices are connected to networks and as geopolitics becomes less stable. The West is at odds with Russia and China and several autocracies give sanctuary to cyber-bandits.

Trillions of dollars are at stake. Most people have a vague sense of narrowly avoided fiascos: from the Sony Pictures attack that roiled Hollywood in 2014, to Equifax in 2017, when the details of 147m people were stolen. The big hacks are a familiar but confusing blur: remember SoBig, or SolarWinds, or WannaCry?

Featured Content

NWPB project seeks to break barriers to employment

NWPB is conducting a project designed to identify and break down barriers to employment. We are asking employers to encourage their staff to complete a brief questionnaire that will lead to new insights on how employers can retain their current workforce and attract quality new hires as we move into a time of growing labour competition. The questionnaire can be completed here.

Unsure how this project will help your business? We know that COVID-19 has:

  • Accelerated retirements
  • Made it harder for women to find full-time work
  • Shrunk commutes so that local employers have more competition with the GTA and beyond

Recognizing how each of these realities can delay projects and create turnover costs, NWPB wants to use this project to support Niagara employers with potential low/no-cost strategies to retain existing talent and attract a new workforce. NWPB will begin publishing the results of this project over the summer. If you have any questions, please feel free to connect directly with Adam Durrant (adam@nwpb.ca) at the Niagara Workforce Planning Board.

Niagara COVID Stats Tracker (June 12)

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%

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.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Guide

Reproductive number: the average number of new cases each case causes. If each person infects one other person, the rate is 1; if each person infects two people, the rate is 2. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 1. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 1 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per 100,000: the total number of new cases per week identified per 100,000 population. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 10. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 15 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per day: the total number of new cases identified per day over seven days using a rolling average. This number does not include identified outbreaks.

Percent of hospital beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percent of intensive care beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s intensive care hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percentage of positive tests: the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 0.5%.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 18)

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

Total doses administered in Niagara: 376,764

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 5,243

Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70% of adults with one dose, 20% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step One for at least 21 days.

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%

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

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.
Share this:

Daily Update: June 17th, 2021

June 17, 2021 | Daily Update

Ontario is continuing to accelerate its vaccine rollout by expanding eligibility for second doses ahead of schedule.

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.

Ontario expanding eligibility for second COVID-19 vaccine doses

With a majority of Ontario adults having received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and over three million doses of the Moderna vaccine arriving in June, the province is continuing to accelerate its vaccine rollout by expanding eligibility for second doses ahead of schedule.

  • As of Monday, June 21, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., all Ontarians who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9, 2021 will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.
  • As of Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 30, 2021 and who live in the catchment area of one of the 10 public health units identified as Delta hot spots (Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Porcupine, Simcoe-Muskoka, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, and York public health units) will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.
  • Starting the week of June 28, 2021 (days / sequence to be confirmed) all Ontarians aged 18 and over who have received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to book their second dose appointment. The appointment will be scheduled at least 28 days after the first dose, per the recommended interval.

Infrastructure Canada and Community Foundations of Canada announce funding in support of Niagara Region communities

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, joined Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre and Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines to announce federal funding for projects in the Niagara Region as part of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.

Recipients included the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, St. Catharines Public Library, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #230, Heartland Forest Nature Experience, and Gallery Players of Niagara.

A second call for applications for funding under the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is open until close on June 25, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. PST. Applicants can apply for funding ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 for eligible projects. Applicants wishing to apply for the second round can access further details on the Community Foundations of Canada website.

St. Catharines waives 2022 business licensing fees, sidewalk patio fees, for hard-hit sectors

In an effort to support business recovery, St. Catharines City Council has approved the waiving of business licensing and sidewalk patio fees in 2022 for businesses in certain sectors most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The move continues efforts that saw fees waived in 2020 and 2021.

Business licensing fees will be waived for:

  • Amusement arcades
  • Auctioneers
  • Hawkers / peddlers such as food trucks
  • Public halls
  • Refreshment stands
  • Restaurants
  • Theatres

In addition, businesses operating sidewalk patios will not have to pay City fees typically associated with such operations.

Positive Living Niagara to hold Naloxone and Harm Reduction virtual workshop

Positive Living has partnered with OPIRG Brock, Niagara CUPE Council, and CUPE 4207 to create and facilitate the virtual workshop Incorporating Naloxone and Harm Reduction into our Activism.

This training will provide a Niagara context for substance use and overdoses, education on addictions, debunking myths and stereotypes about substance use, and Narcan training.

The workshop is being held on June 29th at 2pm.. Registration on Eventbrite is required and can be done at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/incorporating-naloxone-harm-reduction-into-our-activism-tickets-159522824061.

Number of Canadians receiving regular EI benefits rose to 1.6 million in April

The number of Canadians receiving regular EI benefits rose 9.8% (+144,000) to 1.6 million in April. Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicate that employment fell by 207,000 in April, while unemployment rose to 1.6 million, including 1.4 million people who were looking for work and 200,000 who had a connection to a job, because they either were on temporary layoff or had arrangements to begin a new job in the near future.

In late September, temporary changes were introduced to the EI program, including a reduction in the number of insurable hours required for EI eligibility. In April, the proportion of regular EI beneficiaries qualifying for EI under these new eligibility rules increased in all provinces compared with when the new rules took effect.

The number of regular EI beneficiaries increased in seven provinces in April, led by Ontario (+101,000; +19.1%) and British Columbia (+20,000; +12.1%). Ontario accounted for 70.5% of the monthly increase in total regular EI beneficiaries, reflecting both the reintroduction of strict public health measures and the spring break closure of schools in the province.

Reading Recommendations

Canadian regulator lifts banks’ capital buffer to record, priming for post-pandemic world

Reuters

Canada’s financial regulator raised the amount of capital the country’s biggest lenders must hold to guard against risks to a record 2.5% of risk-weighted assets, from 1% currently, in a surprise move that could pave the way for them to resume dividend increases and share buybacks.

The new measures, which take effect on Oct. 31, is a sign that the economic and market disruptions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic have abated and banks’ capital levels have been resilient, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) said in a statement.

But the regulator acknowledged that key vulnerabilities, including household and corporate debt levels, as well as asset imbalances caused by steep increase in home prices over the past year, remain.

Central bankers play down soaring cost of living

CBC News

How big of a raise did you get last year? In Canada or the U.S., if it wasn’t in the four to five per cent range you really did not get much of an increase at all.

On Wednesday, after a year of repeating that he wasn’t going to discuss cutting back on monetary stimulus, the world’s most powerful central banker, Jerome Powell, finally changed his tune.

The chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve said he and advisors are now “talking about talking about” cutting back on bond buying — a key part of stimulus during the pandemic, and the bank signalled interest rates hikes could come in 2023.

But as prices in Canada soared by 3.6 percent, hot on the tail of U.S. inflation currently running at five per cent after that economy opened up sooner, it is by no means clear those efforts will give you back the money you’ve lost.

Population growth ticks back up in Canada despite closed border

Bloomberg News

Canada’s population growth is returning closer to its pre-pandemic pace after coming to a near halt last year.

The nation’s population rose by 0.2 per cent, or 82,366 people, in the first three months of this year to 38.1 million, according to quarterly estimates released Thursday by Statistics Canada. That’s the fastest quarterly population growth since the pandemic hit, and reflects a rebound in international migration. Quarterly growth averaged just under 0.3 per cent in the decade before the pandemic.

The numbers suggest the nation is finding ways to allow workers and students to enter the country despite travel restrictions. Immigration into Canada has been a key driver of of economic growth, having an impact on everything from the housing market to banking services.

Niagara COVID Stats Tracker (June 12)

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%

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.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Guide

Reproductive number: the average number of new cases each case causes. If each person infects one other person, the rate is 1; if each person infects two people, the rate is 2. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 1. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 1 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per 100,000: the total number of new cases per week identified per 100,000 population. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 10. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 15 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per day: the total number of new cases identified per day over seven days using a rolling average. This number does not include identified outbreaks.

Percent of hospital beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percent of intensive care beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s intensive care hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percentage of positive tests: the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 0.5%.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 17)

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

Total doses administered in Niagara: 371,514

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 4,707

Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70% of adults with one dose, 20% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step One for at least 21 days.

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%

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

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.
Share this:

Daily Update: June 16th, 2021

June 16, 2021 | Daily Update

Based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), the guideline on rent increases for 2022 in Ontario is 1.2 per cent.

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.

Ontario caps 2022 residential rent increases at 1.2%

Based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), the guideline on rent increases for 2022 in Ontario is 1.2 per cent. The CPI is a measure of inflation calculated monthly by Statistics Canada using data that reflects economic conditions over the past year.

The guideline applies to most residential rental accommodations covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. It does not apply to rental units in buildings occupied for the first time after November 15, 2018, social housing units, long-term care homes or commercial property.

The rent increase guideline is the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant’s rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). It is applicable to most rent increases between January 1 and December 31, 2022.

Ontario has frozen rent for the vast majority of tenants in 2021. To support renters, the 2021 rent increase guideline was set at 0 per cent.

Rent increases are not automatic or mandatory. Landlords may only raise rent if they gave tenants at least 90 days written notice using the correct form. In most cases, the rent increase cannot be more than the rent increase guideline. In addition, at least 12 months must have passed since the first day of the tenancy or the last rent increase.

COVID-19 vaccination clinic dates added for the first week of July

New Niagara Region Public Health COVID-19 clinic dates have been added to the provincial portal. Appointments are now available from July 1 – 7, in Pelham at the Meridian Community Centre.

Demand for clinics is expected to be very high. Residents are encouraged to sign up as quickly as possible, especially if they have not yet had their first dose.

More information around eligibility can be found at niagararegion.ca/covid-vaccine.

Eligible residents can book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination either online through the provincial portal at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling the provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900.

Inflation sees largest year-over-year increase since 2011

12-month change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and CPI excluding gasoline

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.6% on a year-over-year basis in May, up from a 3.4% gain in April. This was the largest yearly increase since May 2011. Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose 2.5% year over year.

Although base-year effects continue to impact the 12-month price movement for some specific consumer goods, such as gasoline, furniture and beef products, the increase in year-over-year price growth in May was led by rising prices for shelter and passenger vehicles.

Prices rose in every major component on a year-over-year basis. Shelter prices rose 4.2% year over year in May, the largest yearly increase since September 2008. Prices for durable goods rose 4.4% year over year, the fastest pace since 1989, against the backdrop of rising consumer confidence and low interest rates.

Reading Recommendations

Canada’s Green Party in turmoil, leader resists calls to step down

Reuters

Canada’s Green Party was increasingly mired in an internal dispute over its position on Israel on Tuesday, and a news report said the bloc would hold a vote next month on whether to oust its leader, Annamie Paul, who was elected just eight months ago.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) reported that the Greens had triggered a process that could remove Paul, the first black person to head a mainstream Canadian party, beginning with a vote next month.

A Green Party spokesperson declined to comment on the report, but said the party’s “federal council” would meet later on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Paul, 48, rejected calls from the Quebec wing of the party for her to resign after a member of parliament left the Greens due to the Israel controversy.

Canada’s inflation rate rises to highest level in a decade, at 3.6%

CBC News

Economists had been expecting the inflation number to be strong, with a consensus of those polled by Bloomberg expecting the rate to come it at around 3.5 per cent.

But the inflation rate was even higher than that, which suggests Canada’s economy is, indeed, starting to kick into high gear after stalling out during COVID-19.

“We’re past the heating up stage now.,” TD Bank’s economist James Marple said. “Inflation in Canada is hot.”

While undeniably hot, Canada’s inflation rate is not as warm as the one in the U.S., where the cost of living went up at an annual rate of 3.8 per cent last month.

Tackling burnout: How to deal with stress and safety in the workplace

The Conversation

As Hungarian scientist Hans Selye described in 1950 in his seminal general adaptation syndrome about workplace stress, after sustaining a period of exhilaration, stressed employees eventually reach the exhaustion phase and can no longer sustain additional pressure. Today in my clinical psychology practice, my clients who work in various fields tell me about exhaustion, irritability, impatience, trouble concentrating and taking in new information and feeling under-appreciated at work, with some even contemplating quitting their jobs.

In 2019, the World Health Organization identified a syndrome it labelled “burnout” resulting from chronic workplace stress. Now people who report feeling depleted of energy or exhausted, mentally distanced from or cynical about their jobs and experiencing problems getting their work done can be diagnosed with a workplace injury.

Niagara COVID Stats Tracker (June 12)

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%

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.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Guide

Reproductive number: the average number of new cases each case causes. If each person infects one other person, the rate is 1; if each person infects two people, the rate is 2. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 1. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 1 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per 100,000: the total number of new cases per week identified per 100,000 population. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 10. Niagara Public Health has indicated that this number should be consistently below 15 for Section 22 orders to be lifted.

New cases per day: the total number of new cases identified per day over seven days using a rolling average. This number does not include identified outbreaks.

Percent of hospital beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percent of intensive care beds occupied: the total percentage of the Niagara Health System’s intensive care hospital beds currently in use. The average occupancy rate of both acute care beds and total hospital beds in Ontario was 96 per cent in 2018-19. It should be noted that this rate was the highest (worst) in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Percentage of positive tests: the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive. Under the outdated COVID-19 response framework, the target for “green-prevent” was less than 0.5%.

Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (June 16)

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

Total doses administered in Niagara: 366,796

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 5,859

Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will begin when Ontario has vaccinated 70% of adults with one dose, 20% of adults with two doses, has positive public health indicators, and has been in Step One for at least 21 days.

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%

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

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.
Share this: