Niagara Region Homelessness Newsletter, November, 2023
This newsletter provides updates about Niagara Region progress toward addressing homelessness in Niagara. Topics include: - Reduction in chronic homelessness - Learning together with New Brunswick leaders - New permanent shelter beds in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls - Veterans [...]
Shared Micromobility Services in Canadian Communities
The Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) is preparing a report that synthesizes Canadian practice and experience in planning, delivering and evaluating shared micromobility services, which: - involve shared-use fleets of small, fully or partially human-powered vehicles such as bikes, e-bikes [...]
2022 MBNCanada Performance Measurement Report
This annual report includes data from across 36 municipal service areas that inform evidence-based decision-making, and ensure that member municipalities are providing effective and efficient public services that citizens want and need. Canadian municipalities collaborate through Municipal Benchmarking Network Canada [...]
Canadian Social Survey – Quality of Life, Virtual Health Care and Trust, 2023
In 2023, most Canadians reported a high level of satisfaction and trust in their personal relationships. They did report some distrust with information and news from the media, particularly from non-traditional sources, such as the Internet and social media. This [...]
2023 Living Wage for Niagara is $20.35/hr
The 2023 Living Wage Calculation for Niagara is $20.35/hr, a 2.8% increase from $19,80/hr in 2022. The calculation is updated annually for areas throughout the province, by the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN). The OLWN’s core goal is the elimination [...]
Niagara Region Residential Blue Box / Grey Box Transition Project
From July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025, Blue Box programs in Ontario are shifting to a new framework. Circular Materials, a national non-profit producer responsibility organization, will administer residential packaging and recycling programs in Ontario. This represents an evolution [...]
The impact of work on well-being: 6 factors that will affect the future of work and health inequalities
Work can be a key factor in creating, maintaining or exacerbating unequal health outcomes across different societal groups; and yet it has been underused as a lever to address health inequities. This article points to 6 factors that will affect [...]
HungerCount 2023 Report
Food Banks Across Canada Experience Overwhelming Demand with Almost Two Million Visits in One Month The 2023 Hunger Count report shows that food bank visits in Canada have increased by 78.5% since 2019, and 32.1% since 2022. This annual report [...]
Shaw Festival Theatre 2022 Annual Report
In 2022, the Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake marked its 60th anniversary and presented 783 of 811 scheduled performances, 17 separate productions, and a concert series on five stages (two outdoor and three indoor), as well as shows in the [...]
Community Safety Zones in Niagara
Community Safety Zones are in place across Niagara, as part of the Niagara Region Vision Zero Road Safety Initiative. The Zones help to change driver behaviour, including reducing speed and distracted driving, and improving safety on certain sections of road [...]
The Vital Role of Libraries in the Workforce Development Landscape
Public libraries are valuable spaces to engage in job search and career support. They offer a range of employment services as well as flexible hours; computer and internet access; workshops; and helpful, friendly staff assistance. A new program offered by [...]
The Brown Homestead Taking Action on Reconciliation
The Brown Homestead (TBH) is an emerging heritage site located in the southwestern corner of St. Catharines, home to the oldest house in the city (c. 1796) and dedicated to re-imagining historic sites as engines of progress and development. TBH [...]
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre 2022 Annual Report
The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) aims to engage people in exceptional live arts experiences, and to enrich the lives of citizens of St. Catharines and the Niagara region, while providing a world class venue for local, national and international [...]
From Burnt Out to On Fire: Supporting our Non-profit Workforce
Our non-profit workforce, as a whole, is both "burnt out" and "on fire". This 2-page issue brief highlights issues that are leading to crisis-level labour shortages in our precious non-profit sector workforce. Did you know: More than 1 in 5 [...]
Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Region
Marine shipping on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence waterway is a significant economic engine. It creates jobs, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and drives the success of many industries — from manufacturing and construction to agriculture and food. This analysis estimates the [...]
Niagara Priority Profiles
Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services provides information about specific populations in Niagara. Population profiles show how people’s health is affected by where they live, grow, work and play. Individuals planning projects are encouraged to think about how to [...]
Ontario is an agricultural powerhouse that leads in many farming categories
The 2021 Census of Agriculture results show that Ontario accounted for over one-quarter (25.5%) of total farms in Canada, while making up 7.7% of total farm area. In 2021, there were 48,346 farms reported in Ontario, down from 49,600 in [...]
Grocery Affordability: Examining Rising Food Costs in Canada
Food price inflation affects Canadians' ability to feed themselves adequately. While driven in part by global factors, such as rising input and fuel costs, relationships in the food supply chain have a major influence on how prices are transmitted along [...]
Reframing Aging – Empowering Older Adults: CIHR Institute of Aging Strategic Plan 2023-2028
Older adults represent the fastest-growing demographic in Canada. This plan places healthy aging, risk reduction and mitigation at the forefront, while remaining focused on reducing the impact of complex health challenges. Its aim is to drive toward health equity and [...]
Loneliness & Connection Infosheet
Loneliness can impact our mental health in negative ways. Human connection is as important to our wellbeing as other basic needs. This infosheet highlights the definition and dimensions of loneliness; its impact on mental health; the relationship between isolation and [...]
