Niagara’s job market took a huge hit due to COVID-19
The devastating implications of COVID-19 have affected the Niagara Region more than the rest of Ontario when it comes to employment rates.
While Canada’s unemployment rate dropped to 8.2% in February from 9.4% in January, Niagara’s unemployment rate is sitting at 12.8%.
This February there were 19,200 fewer full-time jobs and 5,000 fewer part-time jobs in Niagara than last year. As well, statistics show that from February 2020 to February 2021, 8,200 males lost their jobs, while 15,800 women lost theirs. Before the pandemic, women and men in full-time employment were a 50-50 split.
Niagara has been greatly impacted as accommodation and food services employ a significant number of individuals in the area, and this industry has been hit the hardest. Nonetheless, Niagara’s manufacturing sector has gained about 800 jobs in February.
No reopening date in-sight for Niagara Falls Casinos
Due to COVID-19, both the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara have been closed for a year now.
The Fallsview Casino Resort has over 200,000 square feet of gaming floor, while Casino Niagara has over 95,000 square feet. These casinos are one of the largest employers in the region, employing more than 4,000 individuals. While they typically handle about 11,000 patrons, COVID-19 guidelines have restricted capacity to just 50 people. With a 50-person limit, and no ability to use table games, the reopening of the casinos is simply not feasible.
While long-term sustainability and health and safety protocols have been a central focus, with over $1 million spent on COVID-19 safety measures, a reopening date has not been set. Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, has been an advocate for the casinos, stating that a percentage of patrons, relative to the size of the facility, is a more reasonable approach. While this has been discussed with Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara’s acting medical officer of health, it is a decision for the provincial government.
Niagara Falls may join St. Catharines and Welland by waiving 2021 business licence fees
Both St. Catharines and Welland approved their motions to waive business licence fees for 2021, and Niagara Falls city staff are hoping to do the same. While they do not plan on waiving all business licence fees, they hope to help individuals such as hair stylists, food-truck owners, and more, that would greatly benefit from this fee waiver. This would simply ease the financial pressures that the pandemic has put on business operators.
St. Catharines City Council voted earlier this year to waive almost all business licence fees for 2021.
Welland Council approved this waiver, and refunded individuals who had already paid.
Updates to NOTL short-term rental licensing program
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Bed and Breakfast Association had requested the town assist with the challenges faced due to COVID-19, by considering adjustments to the short-term rental licensing program.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake town council rejected the request for licence fees to be reduced by 30% from last year, from $175 to $115, fearing the financial deficit it would impose on the town. If the town approved this request, the deficit would have been covered by the 2021 COVID-19 Recovery Funding which is support that municipalities receive from the provincial and federal governments.
While the council opposed the reduction, they approved the request for an extension in due dates for licence fees to June 30th. Also, expired licences are extended to June 30th, or until approval has been given for renewal. Those who do not wish to operate in 2021 due to COVID-19, can place their licences on hold for the year.
Favourable Casablanca development continues to struggle with parking
After years of planning, the Rosseau Group once again proposed major revisions for the high-profile development of the Casablanca Winery Inn and Spa in Grimsby. While the majority of Council are in favour of this exciting development, there continues to be serious concerns about parking.
The Town bylaws require over 900 parking spaces for this development and the proposal surpasses this requirement with three levels of underground parking with 929 spaces. While a fourth level of parking would be cost prohibitive, it is suggested that parking gets reconsidered before further action is taken.
Many are looking forward to the amenities proposed which include; entertainment facilities, day care facilities, an outdoor park, outdoor cafes, office and retail space, townhouses and apartments, and an indoor pool.
Today, March 18th, there will be a site plan approval pre-application for the next step of the proposal.
Niagara’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution headed in the right direction
At 8:00 a.m. on Monday March 15th, Ontario opened an online portal and telephone line for individuals 80 and older in age to book their appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Over 4,000 out of about 20,000 Niagara elderly residents that still need to receive their vaccinations were able to book their appointment the first day. Premier Doug Ford stated that more than 133,000 individuals booked their appointments by the end of the day.
Niagara’s first mass immunization clinic will launch Thursday March 18th at the MacBain Community Centre in Niagara Falls. Over the first 22 days of launching, all regions will have open clinics, with at least one clinic open every day. The rotation of open clinics will depend on the size of the age group getting vaccinated within each community.
Opening dates in each community include:
March 18 – Niagara Falls, MacBain Community Centre
March 24 – Welland, Niagara Centre YMCA
March 27 – Grimsby, Niagara West YMCA
March 29 – Fort Erie, Leisureplex
March 31 – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Community Centre
March 31 – Wainfleet, Firefighters’ Community Hall
April 1 – West Lincoln, Community Centre
April 2 – St. Catharines/Thorold, Brock University
April 2 – Lincoln, Lincoln Community Centre
April 7 – Port Colborne, Vale Health and Wellness Centre
April 8 – Pelham, Meridian Community Centre
COVID-19 Weekly Report
As of March 17th, Niagara Public Health has reported an increase in COVID-19 cases, with 305 active cases, 48 new cases, and 21 resolved cases.
There have now been a total of 119 variant cases detected, however only 4 U.K. variant cases remain confirmed.
Active case counts by municipality show St. Catharines at 61 active cases, with Niagara Falls and Welland close behind with 58 and 55 cases, respectively. Niagara-on-the-Lake and Wainfleet have the least amount of cases with 8, and 5 cases, respectively.
Lincoln has the greatest amount of active confirmed cases per 10,000 population at 9.8, and Niagara-on-the-Lake has the least, at 4.2 individuals per 10,000.
Sabres fire Head Coach
The Buffalo Sabres signed former league MVP Taylor Hall and all-star veteran centre Eric Stall in the off-season and hopes were high in the Queen City for a run to the playoffs for the first time in a decade. But head coach Ralph Krueger was fired yesterday as his charges occupied the basement of the NHL standings and have not won in 13 games.
Krueger was replaced by current assistant coach Don Granato. Welland native and former Sabre Matt Ellis will serve as his assistant coach along with Niagara Falls resident and former 13 year veteran NHL defenceman Dan Girardi.
