As fewer post-secondary students return to Niagara, economic fallout remains unknown

September 4, 2020 | Members in the News, Network News, NEXTNiagara

It’s still too soon to know how Niagara’s economy will be impacted as thousands of university and college students study from home instead of on campuses this year.

Both Brock University and Niagara College attract students from far and away but learning online can be done from anywhere. How many students from outside of Niagara will choose to return to the region or stay in their hometowns is still a question mark.

“Definitely, I think we can all agree it will be lower than it has been, but what that impact is right now I’m not sure,” said Tisha Polocko, executive director of the St. Catharines Downtown Association.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 3rd, 2020

September 3, 2020 | Daily Update

The Ontario government is extending protection to prevent temporary layoffs from automatically becoming permanent job losses. Although Ontario is now in Phase 3 of reopening, this extension will give businesses more time to reopen and return to full operations.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The Ontario government is extending protection to prevent temporary layoffs from automatically becoming permanent job losses. Although Ontario is now in Phase 3 of reopening, this extension will give businesses more time to reopen and return to full operations. This extension will last until January 2, 2021. Under Ontario labour laws, termination of an employee after 13 weeks of being temporarily laid off triggers costly payouts which, for many businesses, could be the difference between survival and closure. This regulatory amendment delays these terminations and severance liabilities. This measure does not apply to employees represented by a trade union.
  • The Ontario government is providing $37 million to help more than 15,000 people train for new jobs and upgrade their skills to enable them to contribute to the province’s economic recovery. The funding will support 86 projects and provide training in high-demand skills like information technology, advanced manufacturing, truck driving, construction, and horticulture. The programs include internships and other hands-on learning experiences, and in most cases, the training is provided at no charge. The province is working to finalize agreements with training providers. The full list of successful recipients will be available on September 25, 2020.
  • The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Education, announced additional support for early learning and child care through the one-year Canada–Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The agreement allocates nearly $147 million in 2020–21 for early learning and child care investments in Ontario. Considering the ongoing extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis, Ontario will allocate funding under this agreement to short-term measures aimed at minimizing the impacts of the outbreak on Ontario’s early learning and child care system. In particular, the province will help fund the operating costs of eligible licensed child care providers and EarlyON centres. This initiative is aligned with both Ontario’s sustainability plan and child care re-opening plan, which will continue to support children, child care partners and staff. In addition, the Government of Canada recently announced $625 million to address the reduced availability of child care and the unique needs stemming from the pandemic across Canada with the Safe Restart Agreement. This year, the Government of Canada will invest nearly $1.2 billion in total in early learning and child care across Canada. The GNCC had requested greater investment in childcare, recognizing that accessible and affordable childcare is essential to a flexible workforce.
  • The GNCC and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are looking for your insight on what matters to business amidst the pandemic. How confident are you in Ontario’s economy and recovery? What is your organization’s outlook for 2021? How happy are you with the pandemic recovery programs offered by government? Share your views by taking a short three-minute survey. This survey is being conducted by Golfdale Consulting, an independent consulting firm. All responses will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential. Closing date is Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at midnight.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says claimants can expect to see their Canada emergency response benefits (CERB) deposited before the weekend, after many people online reported not receiving their payments earlier this week as expected. A spokesman for the CRA said the agency was being “overly cautious” in making sure payments are going to eligible recipients because of recent cyber attacks. The agency said the payments are expected to be deposited later today or Friday.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

Remember that a COVID-19 test is only a snapshot of your health on the specific date and time the swab was taken. No testing is perfect and a negative result doesn’t mean you haven’t been exposed to COVID-19. You can still develop symptoms days after your test was taken.

It is important that everyone practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Maintain a 2-metre distance from other people. When maintaining distance is impossible, wear a mask or face covering. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previous updates can be accessed here.

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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Health and safety in the spotlight as Niagara College kicks off Fall 2020 term

September 3, 2020 | Members in the News

From health screenings and facemasks, to online learning and virtual events – it’s all part of the ‘new normal’ at Niagara College as it embarks on an academic year unlike any other.

Classes for Fall 2020 term will begin on September 9, with a new hybrid academic model in place along with extensive safety measures to help protect the College community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the hybrid academic model, about half of all students will be studying 100 percent remotely, while half will be studying online with limited on-campus classes or labs – where it is a required component of the program, and it can be delivered safely. This is expected to bring more than 4,500 students to NC’s Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses throughout the term, with staggered schedules to limit numbers at any given time and location.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our students and employees to a new academic year, whether they will be joining us remotely or on campus for a portion of their studies,” said NC president Sean Kennedy. “While we’ve adapted our college operations to the new realities of COVID-19, with health and safety as our highest priority, what hasn’t changed is the welcoming spirit of our College community, and our steadfast commitment to academic quality, and student success.”

Campus access and safety measures

For students and employees who will be on campus, the College has rolled out new campus access procedures and extensive on-campus safety measures – created in consultation with public health officials – to help provide a safe and healthy learning environment and workplace.

Only students with scheduled in-person classes or labs, or employees with pre-approval, will be permitted on campus. In addition to a mandatory one-time safety orientation, students and employees must complete and pass daily health screenings prior to arriving on campus, which will enable them to tap in for approved entry at designated campus access points.

Once on campus, non-medical facemasks are required in hallways and other common spaces, or whenever physical distancing of two meters isn’t possible. The College will distribute two facemasks to students and employees who will be on campus, and is providing training on how to safely wear and care for the masks.

Classrooms and labs have been reconfigured where needed, and signs and floor markers have been installed across NC campuses to promote physical distancing. Campuses are well-equipped with hand sanitizing stations, and disinfectant in labs for regular cleaning, while enhanced cleaning measures have been put in place.

Common areas where students would typically congregate remain closed, while most services, events and activities have shifted to a virtual format.

The latest information for students, employees and visitors is available on the College’s recently redesigned COVID-19 website.

Virtual Orientation 

Whether their studies will be online or on-campus, a warm virtual welcome has been planned for new and returning students.

NC’s Student Administrative Council, and Centre for Student Engagement and Leadership have unveiled a completely virtual Fall Orientation, which began in early August and will continue into October. The events and activities aim to help prepare students for college life, connect with one another and the College community, learn about their programs and student services, explore hybrid or online learning strategies, and gain essential info about COVID-19 safety protocols.

On Orientation Day September 8, students will receive a welcome from the College president; and have an opportunity to participate in program and co-op information sessions. Activities during the first week of Fall term continue with a virtual scavenger hunt (September 9 and 10), an e-sports tournament (September 8-11), live karaoke (September 9), Q&As with The Library (Sept. 9, 10) and more.

NCSAC president Tom Price noted that NCSAC has been working closely with the College to provide the best possible student experience for students this fall.

“Student success is the result of the uniquely special partnership between NCSAC and Niagara College as we adjust to a very different start of the school year,” said Price. “Whether it is from student venues on campus, or their couch at home, we have adapted. NCSAC has been working in constant tandem with the College in these endeavors, from Instagram Live engagement, Orientation Week participation, to funding reallocation in support of our Nourishing Minds grocery gift card program for students.”

For details about Fall Orientation visit orientation.niagaracollege.ca and yourncsac.ca/yourevents.

Niagara College offers more than 150 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 2nd, 2020

September 2, 2020 | Daily Update

Today, the Competition Bureau signed a new competition enforcement framework with Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

Remember that a COVID-19 test is only a snapshot of your health on the specific date and time the swab was taken. No testing is perfect and a negative result doesn’t mean you haven’t been exposed to COVID-19. You can still develop symptoms days after your test was taken.

It is important that everyone practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Maintain a 2-metre distance from other people. When maintaining distance is impossible, wear a mask or face covering. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previous updates can be accessed here.

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 1st, 2020

September 1, 2020 | Daily Update

The federal government has reached agreements with Novavax and Johnson & Johnson to secure millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Alectra Utilities suspended service disconnections from March until September 1st. Alectra customers who are past due and have not made payment arrangements will now begin to receive collection notices. Customers who were in good standing before the pandemic can access the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Plan for Small Business (CEAP-SB) on the Alectra website here. This new program from the provincial government will be administered by Alectra on an application basis and will provide one-time on-bill credits of up to $850. Residential customers can access other programs here. Residential and business customers can also contact Alectra to arrange a payment plan.
  • Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, announced the coming into force of changes to federal labour standards. The changes strengthen protections and regulations for internships in federally regulated workplaces and build on other efforts to protect young workers, including anti-harassment and violence legislation such as Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1. As of today, interns in federally regulated workplaces are recognized in two ways and entitled to new protections:
    • Interns: individuals seeking to obtain knowledge or experience through a temporary placement in a workplace that is not part of an educational program. They will have the same labour standards protections as employees, including the right to be paid at least the minimum wage.
    • Student interns: students undertaking a temporary placement in a workplace that fulfills the requirements of an educational program. They may be unpaid and will be entitled to certain labour standards protections set out in the new regulations.
  • Employers in federally regulated workplaces, educational institutions and associations—as well as interns—can consult the following resources to understand the new requirements and their rights and obligations:
  • The federal government has reached agreements with Novavax and Johnson & Johnson to secure millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The deals hinge on Health Canada approval but if trials proceed as planned, deliveries in Canada would begin at the start of 2021. The government has also inked deals with pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna for access to millions of doses of their unique candidates.
  • In case you missed the August 27 edition of GNCC Espresso Live on cybersecurity with guests Danny Pehar, Cyber Security Expert, Bestselling Author and Professional Speaker and Graeme Barrie, President and Founder, Netmechanics Inc, the episode is now available for streaming.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

Remember that a COVID-19 test is only a snapshot of your health on the specific date and time the swab was taken. No testing is perfect and a negative result doesn’t mean you haven’t been exposed to COVID-19. You can still develop symptoms days after your test was taken.

It is important that everyone practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Maintain a 2-metre distance from other people. When maintaining distance is impossible, wear a mask or face covering. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previous updates can be accessed here.

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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COVID-19 Business Update: August 28th, 2020

August 28, 2020 | Daily Update

This weekend is Canada United Shopping Weekend. RBC, the national network of Chambers of Commerce, Canadian business association sand more than 50 of Canada’s leading brands have launched the GoCanadaUnited campaign.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • This weekend is Canada United Shopping Weekend. RBC, the national network of Chambers of Commerce, Canadian business associations and more than 50 of Canada’s leading brands have launched the GoCanadaUnited campaign. Canadians are encouraged to watch the Canada United videos online at GoCanadaUnited.ca, like posts from @GoCanadaUnited on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn and use #CanadaUnited to demonstrate their support. For each of these actions, RBC will contribute 5 cents to the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund. You can learn more about the movement and, if you’re a small business owner, get involved or apply for the Canada United Small Business Relief grant by visiting GoCanadaUnited.ca.
  • Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced that the Government of Canada is partnering with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) employers across Canada to create 900 internship opportunities for students through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Science Horizons supports jobs in clean-technology sectors by offering internships to recent post-secondary graduates in STEM. The program includes specific opportunities for Indigenous graduates, graduates from rural and remote areas, and women in STEM fields. Science Horizons is now open for 2020–21 applications. Up to $15,000 in Science Horizons funding is available to employers for each intern they hire, and interns will receive experience working on environmental projects lasting six to twelve months. About 90 percent of interns secure a full-time job or return to school after their internship. Interested employers can apply here.
  • The Call for Nominations for Canada’s Volunteer Awards is open until September 30, 2020. Many small businesses and large companies are engaged in their communities through employer-supported volunteering programs. Canada’s Volunteer Awards recognizes socially responsible businesses of all sizes. In addition to receiving an award at a ceremony from the Government of Canada, recipients can select a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant of $10,000 (national award) or $5,000 (regional awards). If you know a worthy socially responsible business and/or social enterprise for an award in the following categories:
    • Business Leader – recognizes businesses and social enterprises that demonstrate social responsibility to benefit their communities.
    • Social Innovator – recognizes non-for-profit organizations and social enterprises that use innovative approaches to address social challenges in their communities.
  • Ontario is creating opportunities for young people through the inaugural work and membership of the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity. To further support disadvantaged youth and job seekers from underrepresented groups, the province is investing $2.2 million to help them develop the skills they need for successful careers.
  • The Council of the Great Lakes Region (CLGR) has joined with Pollution Probe and the US Business Council for Sustainable Development to launch the Ontario Materials Marketplace. Made possible with funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Ontario Materials Marketplace connects businesses and institutions to develop and scale new reuse and recycling market opportunities. It is estimated that 22 million pounds of plastics enter the Great Lakes every year. The Ontario Materials Marketplace pilot has been designed to connect the province’s IC&I and recycling sectors to help find new solutions to improve the recovery of valuable plastics and other materials, and to create reuse opportunities in the economy for those materials. This will help participants in the IC&I sector reach their recycling and broader sustainability goals. Interested businesses can set up an account here.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

Remember that a COVID-19 test is only a snapshot of your health on the specific date and time the swab was taken. No testing is perfect and a negative result doesn’t mean you haven’t been exposed to COVID-19. You can still develop symptoms days after your test was taken.

It is important that everyone practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Maintain a 2-metre distance from other people. When maintaining distance is impossible, wear a mask or face covering. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previous updates can be accessed here.

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.

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Artisan Distilling program’s first rum wins bronze at U.S. competition

August 28, 2020 | Members in the News

Spirits are high at the Niagara College Teaching Distillery after a student-produced rum won bronze at the U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championships.

The accolades for School Spirits Small Batch Rum, produced by the first students to graduate from the Artisan Distilling program, came in the Dark/Barrel Aged Rum category of the competition, which included entries from throughout Canada and the U.S. Niagara College was the only teaching distillery to be among the winners in any category.

“It feels good to win an award like this,” said David Dickson, College distiller. “It instills a sense of pride that, in such a short time, our students have been able to develop to such a level to create a high quality spirit. To be able to achieve this in such a short time feels like a real feather in our cap.”

The award-winning rum was a year in the making by students, who saw their handiwork compete against rums aged longer or blended with spirits from elsewhere. Production of the School Spirits Small Batch Rum started six months into the year-long program when students began fermenting dark brown sugar. All signs pointed to something special in the works after their first distillation using small copper pot stills to capture only the best fraction of the spirit.

The rum was fermented in a two-week process, which is slower than typical production, and led to a more complete attenuation of sugar by the yeast. Students took charge of the entire process, Dickson noted, signing their name to the 57-litre bourbon cask in which the spirit was left to age for 12 months, the minimum a Canadian rum must mature in a barrel.

“Then they went off in their careers. It was sort of like a time capsule,” Dickson said. “Their finesse was what caused the spirit to age like it did.”

The result was a rum with a surprising golden colour, and a clean and balanced aromatic profile with notes of vanilla and candied fruit. It’s dry and light in body compared to rums with added sweeteners. The finish has a pleasing texture with vanilla, caramel and a touch of bourbon spice.

“Our first student-crafted rum clearly demonstrates our students’ talents and skills when it comes to distillation and fermentation,” said Steve Gill, general manager of Niagara College’s Learning Enterprises. “The fact that they so confidently took on the production of rum and then earned such honours alongside spirits produced by more established distilleries elsewhere in North America also speaks to the quality of teaching happening in our Artisan Distilling program. It shows that the future of craft distilling in Canada is in capable hands.”

Two hundred 375-millilitre bottles of School Spirits Small Batch Rum were released for sale earlier this summer at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre (Niagara College Daniel J. Patterson Campus, 135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake). The rum sells for $26 with proceeds from sales supporting student learning.

Visit usopenwhiskey.com to learn more about the awards.

Niagara College’s Teaching Distillery is a 2,500-square-foot facility equipped with five stills, four mash tuns and 10 fermenters. Home to the College’s Artisan Distilling program, students produce a variety of distilled products including vodka, gin, brandy, rum, whisky and other spirits. It opened in September 2018, completing the trifecta of beverage fermentation sciences at NC’s learning enterprises, following the footsteps of its Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery which were also the first of their kind in Canada.

Niagara College offers more than 150 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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Espresso Live 16: Cyber Security & COVID-19

August 28, 2020 | Espresso Live Webinars, Event Recordings

Join GNCC CEO, Mishka Balsom and guests Danny Pehar, Cyber Security Expert, Bestselling Author and Professional Speaker and Graeme Barrie, President and Founder, Netmechanics Inc. as we examine the challenges that COVID-19 has created in the cyber security world. Presented by TD.

Resources:
https://gncc.ca/members/SmartHomeCheckList-2020-pdf.pdf
https://gncc.ca/members/A-Cybersecurity-Strategy-Anyone-Can-Understand.pdf

Links:
Scam call centre owner in custody after BBC investigation
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51740214

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