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News, updates, and so much more…
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Bank of Canada increases interest rate
The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 1½%, with the Bank Rate at 1¾% and the deposit rate at 1½%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening (QT).
Inflation globally and in Canada continues to rise, largely driven by higher prices for energy and food. In Canada, CPI inflation reached 6.8% for the month of April – well above the Bank’s forecast – and will likely move even higher in the near term before beginning to ease. As pervasive input price pressures feed through into consumer prices, inflation continues to broaden, with core measures of inflation ranging between 3.2% and 5.1%. Almost 70% of CPI categories now show inflation above 3%. The risk of elevated inflation becoming entrenched has risen. The Bank announced its intent to use its monetary policy tools to return inflation to target and keep inflation expectations well anchored.
Click here to read more.
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MEDIA RELEASE
Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area
60 East Main Street, Welland ON L3B 3X4
www.downtownwelland.ca
May 30, 2022
For Immediate Release
RAINBOW CROSSWALK DEBUTS IN DOWNTOWN WELLAND
May 30, 2022 / WELLAND, Ont. – The Board of Management of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area, in partnership with the City of Welland, Pride Niagara and the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee are thrilled to announce the inauguration of the Welland Rainbow Crosswalk.
Located along the corner of King Street and the Boardwalk in Downtown Welland, the Rainbow Crosswalk has been added to increase awareness while showing support to the LGBTQ+ Community to foster a sense of inclusion and equality throughout Welland. Earlier this morning, members of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee along with City officials, delegates, and sponsors, participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening the Rainbow Crosswalk to the public. As Pride Month takes place in June, the installation of the Rainbow Crosswalk will start what we hope to be an amazing month of celebration.
We would like to thank our sponsors: the Welland Downtown BIA, BCM-Bertie Clinton Mutual Inc., Youngs Insurance, the North Welland BIA, Billyard Insurance Group, Miranda J. Belansky Law Professional Corporation, the Welland County Law Association, The Vegan Hippie Chick, Pride Niagara, Taris on the Water, and James Takeo Tattoo & Visual Artist. Additionally, we would like to thank the individuals who spearheaded this project and who have made the enactment of the Rainbow Crosswalk possible.
For more information, please contact:
Alexis Higginbotham
Executive Director, WDBIA
Email: Vasb@qbjagbjajryynaq.pn
Telephone: 905.736.2884
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About Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area
The Welland Downtown BIA is recognized as a resourceful, innovative partner who works as a catalyst to bring together businesses, citizens, elected officials, and community organizations. WDBIA’s goal is to promote economic and community well-being in Downtown Welland by supporting and celebrating the heart and spirit of local businesses and entrepreneurs.
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Housing markets cooling off sharply
Statistics released by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems dropped by 12.6% between March and April 2022. The decline placed monthly activity at the lowest level since the summer of 2020.
While the national decline was led by the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) simply because of its size, sales were down in 80% of local markets, with most other large markets posting double-digit month-over-month declines in April.
“Following a record-breaking couple of years, housing markets in many parts of Canada have cooled off pretty sharply over the last two months, in line with a jump in interest rates and buyer fatigue,” said Jill Oudil, Chair of CREA. “For buyers, this slowdown could mean more time to consider options in the market. For sellers, it could necessitate a return to more traditional marketing strategies.”
Click here to read more.
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Make a splash at Welland community pools this summer with activities and programs for everyone
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2022
Welland, ON – This summer, Welland community pools will be a hub of activity as swimming lessons, aqua-fit programs, and free swims become available at full capacity.
With three options for swimming lessons, users can find a program that fits their schedule:
- Weekly swimming lessons (indoor and outdoor).
- Condensed swimming lessons (outdoor) – Monday through Friday for two weeks for swimming lessons, with the ability to move up to four to five levels in one summer.
- Drop-in swimming lessons (outdoor) – drop-in at any of the pools during the designated drop-in swimming lessons time for a 30-minute lesson.
In addition, parents looking to fill the time during lessons can opt-in for a 20-minute stay fit program in the park.
“We’re very excited to have our pools open, and we’re ready to fill them with the enjoyment of our users,” said Nicole Pilote, aquatics supervisor. “We offer a range of programs that address the needs of everyone, from various levels of intensity and skills, we focus on providing a fulsome aquatic experience.”
New this year are aqua-fitness classes at the outdoor pools – either Rosie Smith (391 St George St.) or Maple Park (512 S Pelham Rd.), depending on the program. In addition, programs such as master swim, lane swim, aqua cycle, aquafit, and deep-water cardio are available. Free open swims are available for swimmers who wish to move more leisurely, and a golden age swim every Sunday morning is designed for adults only.
Lifeguards are available for all programs, and the City is looking for more people to join the team. Offering all the courses necessary to be successful and the opportunity to become a junior lifeguard to get on-deck experience, the City ensures you are ready for your role.
For more information on programs, including dates, times, costs, and more, visit: https://wellness.welland.ca/summerAquatics.asp.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Corporate Communications Manager
905-735-1700 x2337
znep.znpqbanyq@jryynaq.pn
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June is recreation and parks month, and the City of Welland invites residents to get active with free trials
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2022
Welland, ON – Each June, communities across Ontario celebrate June as Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) to promote the benefits of being active and recognizing the contribution that recreation and parks make to the quality of life.
Access to parks and recreation is a fundamental human need that helps foster personal health, strong communities, and social inclusion. JRPM celebrates Ontario’s spectacular parks and recreation services and raises awareness for their role as a pathway to individual, community, and environmental well-being.
“Our parks and open spaces in Welland are some of the city’s most-used spaces,” said Rob Axiak, director of community services. “The programs we offer and the spaces we offer them provide Welland residents a chance to get active and enjoy the beauty of our natural landscape.”
This year, the city has added free events anyone can participate in, including:
- Free Tai Chi in the Park @ Chippawa Park on the Baseball diamond. Sessions take place June 6, 13, 20, and 27; all sessions are at 9:30 a.m.
- Two “Try It Free” Classes
- ChairONE Fitness Class on June 1 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Welland Community Centre; registration required (25 max)
- Mandala Art on June 2 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Welland Community Centre registration required (12 max)
- Four open swim dates
- June 22 and 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. – Rosie Smith Pool
- June 29 from 12 to 4 p.m. – Maple Pool
- June 30 from 12 to 4 p.m. – Memorial Pool
Recreation and Parks Month is an initiative of Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO). PRO is a non-profit association of leaders in recreation and parks that advances the health, social, and environmental benefits of quality recreation and parks.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Corporate Communications Manager
905-735-1700 x2337
znep.znpqbanyq@jryynaq.pn
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Statistics Canada: 40% of businesses expect to increase prices
The combination of inflationary pressures, labour challenges and supply chain issues has impacted businesses in a number of different ways. Businesses continued to expect to face a variety of obstacles over the next three months related to rising costs, hiring and recruitment, as well as those related to supply chains.
Many businesses that were facing challenges maintaining inventory levels or acquiring inputs, products and supplies, either domestically or abroad, expected these challenges to worsen in the short term. Over the next three months, half of businesses expected their profitability to remain relatively unchanged, nearly two-fifths expected to increase the prices they charge, and over three-quarters expected their number of employees to remain the same.
Click here to read more.
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Government of Canada reintroduces legislation to create a new Canada Disability Benefit
Today, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, reintroduced ground-breaking legislation that would establish a new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).
The CDB would become an important part of Canada’s social safety net, alongside Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canada Child Benefit. It could significantly reduce poverty and benefit hundreds of thousands of Canadians.
Through Budget 2021, the Government invested $11.9 million over three years to reform eligibility processes for federal disability programs and benefits. This work began in the summer of 2021 in the form of ministerial roundtables with the disability community and an on-line public survey. This work is ongoing and will directly inform the CDB.
Click here to read more.
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Popular playgrounds readying to reopen this summer with new features and updated equipment
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2022
Welland, ON – Chippawa, Cooks Mills, Elmwood, and Glenwood parks resume construction this spring, focusing on updating the park’s playground equipment and creating a better play experience for kids.
Delays due to weather conditions halted construction until this April, but timelines are back on track.
- Elmwood Park – Park completion is anticipated for the end of June 2022 (weather permitting).
- Chippawa Park – Park completion is anticipated for the end of June 2022 (weather permitting).
- Cooks Mills Park – Park completion is anticipated for the end of June 2022 (weather permitting).
- Glenwood Park – Park completion is anticipated for the end of June 2022 (weather permitting).
“We are continuously thinking of ways to improve the lives of our Welland communities and are focused on creating inclusive, fun and age-appropriate play spaces for our residents,” said Rory Doucette, manager of parks and open spaces, operations, and development. “We are excited to get the parks ready to go so everyone can enjoy the new features for the summer season.
All four parks will feature additional swing sets and updated playground equipment. The Cooks Mills park’s playground will relocate closer to the parking lot, washrooms, and Cooks Mills Hall. Elmwood Park will receive a new drainage system to improve park services.
Weather depending, construction for the parks is anticipated to conclude towards mid-July.
The City continues to prioritize the service life for Welland’s local assets and infrastructure by renewing and updating many of the current public spaces and residential landmarks. Welland encourages residents to voice their recommendations through the Engage Welland site and provide feedback for future park development.
The City of Welland will update the projects on its social media feeds, including confirmed opening dates and planned activities. For information on Welland’s local parks, visit https://www.welland.ca/parks/index.asp.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Corporate Communications Manager
905-735-1700 x2337
znep.znpqbanyq@jryynaq.pn
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In an exciting and much anticipated return to innovative collective creation, live performance, and creative community building, @femmesdufeu is thrilled to announce that Circus Sessions will be returning on June 11, 2022 at @thebankarthouse, Welland. Join us for an evening of contemporary circus, in a safe, inclusive space. Tickets available via femmesdufeu.com.
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Council Chambers opening to the public on June 7
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2022
Welland, ON – Members of the public wishing to attend City of Welland Council meetings in-person are permitted to do so beginning June 7.
Chambers have been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, and Council meetings shifted entirely online, live-streamed through the City’s website. Live streaming continues as an option to watch Council meetings, but now chambers are open to full capacity of 150 people.
“We encourage those wishing to view meetings to continue to do so online and for those in attendance to remain mindful of distancing,” said Clerk Tara Stephens. “We know that members of the public enjoy being in chambers for meetings, and there’s a different level of discourse between presenters, for example, when they are in chambers as opposed to virtual.”
When operations return, new procedures will come with it, notably around closed session:
- Prior to the closed session of Council beginning, security will place signage at the base of the stairs on the main level and in the hall on the second level leading to Council Chambers advising that Council Chambers are closed to the public.
- Security will advise members of the public to remain in the Civic reception area on the main level until Council Chambers are open to the public.
- At the end of the closed session, a message will be sent to security from the clerk via a texting app.
- Security will change the signage advising that Council Chambers is open to the public
- Security will advise any of the public that is waiting in the Civic Reception area that Council Chambers are open.
In addition to the public attending in-person, there is no restriction on the number of Councillors who may preside in chambers during the meeting. Councillors may still attend meetings virtually.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Corporate Communications Manager
905-735-1700 x2337
znep.znpqbanyq@jryynaq.pn
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Best regards,
Alexis Higginbotham
Executive Director
WDBIA
60 East Main Street
Welland, ON
L3B 3X4
905.736.2884
downtownwelland.ca
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