Survey says…
The Niagara Independent recently did a reader’s survey covering a number of important local issues. Well over 500 readers completed the survey that asked Niagara resident’s their thoughts on things like: defunding the police; local property tax rates; changes to waste management; decriminalization of drug possession; Region contract procurement issues’ and the Region dissolving its internal independent audit team. The specific results will be shared in future TNI editions. Thank you to all of our subscribers who took the time to complete the survey.
Niagara police issue credit card scam warning
Over the past few months, the Niagara Regional Police have seen an increase in fraudulent transactions involving credit cards. Given the concerns with COVID-19, many business transactions are being conducted by telephone or email preventing businesses from knowing their customers. Fraudsters are taking advantage of the situation and making purchases by credit card, without being physically present at a store. This is referred to as a ‘card not present transaction’.
These frauds occur when a credit card is illegally obtained and a large order of merchandise is ordered by email or phone, without the cardholder being present. The card is later found to be fraudulent or stolen, however, this is usually after the order has been picked up or delivered, resulting in a financial loss or “charge back” to the business.
This scam can impact any business which sells merchandise and is frequently done by first time customers. In many situations, the product is delivered to an address outside the Niagara Region. Businesses are reminded to confirm cheques, money orders, banks drafts prior to releasing any product.
Region to restart CAO search
After pushing pause on the search for the Region’s next top administrator because of the COVID-19 pandemic, regional council moved last Thursday to begin the recruiting process. Council was presented four options and overwhelmingly, with the exception of St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik, council chose the option to move forward as quickly as possible. Staff indicated it would take up to six months to complete the search and hiring of a new CAO.
In addition to the CAO, there are two other senior positions that need to be filled including Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner of Public Works.
Canada Summer Games adjusts age categories
The Canada Games Council has announced this week new age eligibility requirements for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Where practical, sports have adjusted their age categories so that the same cohort of athletes that was eligible for the Games in 2021 will remain eligible for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games. Categories for baseball, cycling, golf and rugby sevens have yet to be identified, but a decision on these is sports is expected by early 2021.
Niagara COVID-19
For the most part Niagara has continued to hold its COVID case count steady over the past week with daily numbers between the high-teens and low-twenties. The one exception was this past Saturday where the daily count spiked to 36. There are 208 active cases in Niagara and 19 active outbreaks. Total number of deaths related to COVID-19 in Niagara now stands at 83.
Ontario deploys rapid testing to support COVID-19 response
The Ontario government has deployed new COVID-19 rapid tests to provide faster results in regions of high transmission and rural and remote areas. As an additional tool to help keep essential workers safe, rapid tests will also be used to screen staff in long-term care homes and select workplaces. These new tests will provide Ontarians with more access to innovative testing options and will help to quickly identify and manage outbreaks to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The province has received approximately 98,000 ID NOW tests that are initially being used in hospitals and assessment centres in rural and remote communities, as well as to test people as part of early outbreak investigations in hotspot regions where there are high concentrations of COVID-19 cases. Two hospitals are using ID NOW, with 20 additional hospitals preparing to launch rapid testing. Hospitals will be able to test people, such as staff and patients, who are either symptomatic or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
A $700 billion rally hauls Canadian Stocks out of slump
Eight months after it hit bottom in the Covid-19 crash, Canada’s stock index is finally back in the green for 2020.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index climbed 0.4% on Monday to wipe out the year’s losses. The Canadian benchmark closed at 17,094.53, the highest since Feb. 25, as vaccine progress buoyed investor sentiment.
This has been a year for the history books. The market plunged into bear market territory in March, then surged rapidly into a bull zone as governments and central banks reacted to the spreading pandemic with stimulus programs.
Since its March 23 bottom, the S&P/TSX Composite Index has recouped about $700 billion in market value — with plenty of bumps along the way.
General Rick Hillier (retired) to lead largest vaccine rollout in a generation
The province will create a Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force, building on the steps the government has been taking to prepare for the delivery of a vaccine. The task force will advise the province’s development and implementation of an immunization program, including the ethical, timely and effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Ontario.
Rick Hillier, former Chief of Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces and Commander of the NATO-led forces during the War in Afghanistan, has been named Chair of this new task force, leading the largest vaccine rollout in a generation. Hillier was tapped for the assignment due to his extensive leadership experience in providing governance, strategic and public policy advice, and leading multiple national and international endeavours.
Canadians will just have to wait for their COVID-19 vaccine
A lack of vaccine-production capabilities in Canada means the United States, Britain, Germany and other countries will be vaccinating their citizens against COVID-19 before Canadians, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canada no longer has any domestic production capacity for vaccines.
Trudeau said the government has begun to invest once domestic vaccine production capacity “because we never want to be caught short again”.
