Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus May 2022 Newsletter

May 2022

Your monthly news & updates

Western Ontario Wardens Meet with Region's Members of Parliament

Members of the WOWC held an important virtual meeting with their federal counterparts on Wednesday, May 25 to present an overview of the WOWC’s priorities, receive feedback from Members of Parliament (MPs), and discuss mutual areas of interest for joint advocacy from the federal government’s perspective.

As was highlighted by WOWC Chair George Cornell, the WOWC’s priorities, strategic approach, and direction for advocacy in 2022 and early 2023 share the same urgency and importance that the federal government has placed on these issues.

The meeting was fruitful and productive, with 13 regional MPs in attendance, many of whom provided valuable feedback and recommendations, and offered support in advancing these mutual priorities for the region’s benefit.

Significant discussion ensued on the topics of Affordable and Attainable Housing in Rural Areas, Workforce Development, Broadband Infrastructure Investment, and Mental Health and Addictions.

View the Federal Priorities Document

New Housing Rises in Leamington with 3D Printing Technology

Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex, is partnering with the University of Windsor and nidus3D – Canada’s leaders in 3D construction printing, on the nation’s first permitted 3D printed residential homes.

This historic project – on the site of Leamington’s The Bridge Youth Resource Centre – is a key step in increasing access to affordable housing in Canada.

“This will be a historic build, the first 3D printed homes for residential use in this country, and potentially a game-changing solution to the current housing crisis. Habitat Windsor-Essex is working with the University of Windsor to learn more about how this new technology can potentially shorten construction times, and, over time, reduce input costs. Habitat W-E will benefit from the learning here, and those learnings could have a far-reaching impact for Habitat, and for the construction industry more broadly,” said Fiona Coughlin, Executive Director & CEO Habitat for Humanity Windsor.

This build is partially funded through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Innovation Fund. And thanks to the latest partnership with nidus3D, Habitat for Humanity is leaning on the company’s cutting-edge 3D construction technology to make home ownership more affordable in Canada.

View the full article

SWIFT Board of Directors Reappoints Gary McNamara as Chair

SWIFT is pleased to announce that following its 2022 Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors re-appointed Gary McNamara, Warden of Essex County, as the SWIFT Board Chair for another 1-year term, effective April 29, 2022.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank our departing directors for their dedicated service. Their collective leadership and expertise over the years has helped shape the direction of SWIFT and the success of the program has been a true testament to their tireless contributions and has been instrumental in helping the initiative achieve its goals and objectives of a more connected Southwestern Ontario,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair. “It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to have served with them on the SWIFT Board of Directors.”

With these changes, SWIFT’s board will comprise of 18 elected governmental directors:

Gary McNamara (Warden, Essex County) – Chair

David Mayberry (Councillor, Oxford County) – Vice Chair (newly appointed)

Robert Foster (Councillor, Niagara Region) – Treasurer (newly appointed)

Selwyn (Buck) Hicks (Warden, Grey County) – Secretary (newly appointed)

• Allan Thompson (Mayor, Town of Caledon)

• Chris Gerrits (Councillor, Dufferin County)

• David Miller (Councillor, Brant County)

• George Bridge (Councillor, Wellington County)

• George Cornell (Warden, Simcoe County)

• Jamie McGrail (Councillor, Chatham-Kent)

• Joanne Vanderheyden (Councillor, Middlesex County)

• Kevin Marriott (Warden, Lambton County)

• Luke Charbonneau (Councillor, Bruce County)

• Roger Watt (Councillor, Huron County)

• Sue Foxton (Councillor, Region of Waterloo)

• Todd Kasenberg (Councillor, Perth County)

• Tom Marks (Warden, Elgin County)

• Tom Masschaele (Councillor, Norfolk County)

View the press release

Bridging Global Talent to Support Local Hiring Demand

Growing the local economy through workforce development and enhancing the overall job-seeking experience of international graduates are the goals of a new initiative, “Bridging Global Talent in Sarnia-Lambton”, launched by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. Focused on creating employment connections and awareness, this program provides the opportunity to diversify our local workforce by retaining and attracting international talent to support local employer’s hiring demands.

The initiative offers a well-balanced approach to support local employers and international graduate job seekers with direct services. Focused employer activities will include engaging with businesses to understand their hiring needs, hosting a series of job fairs and sessions to create networking opportunities with highly skilled job seekers, and creating a new online employment platform to connect employers more easily with international graduates. Direct pre-employment services will be offered to international graduates to provide assistance with resume writing, video resumes, and connecting with local hiring businesses.

Read the full press release

Supporting Rural Development by Embedding Financial Capital: Community Investment Fund Programs

While businesses in rural Ontario can face challenges like changing local populations and rising supply chain costs, one major obstacle that can prevent rural business development is access to financial capital. Seed money (such as from loans and equity investments) is vital for starting and growing a business, and this may be hard to find in rural areas. Outside of Ontario, several provinces have experimented with programs to encourage local investment, and some of these have had promising success.

Recently published research by Alex Petric and Ryan Gibson at the University of Guelph explores these programs—termed Community Investment Fund programs—and how they can be successfully implemented elsewhere.

Read the complete report

Federal White Cement to

Receive $5-Million from Province

The Ford Government is supporting a massive expansion at Federal White Cement in Zorra Township.

It’s the only white cement producer and it’s going to be spending $50,900,000 in order to build an expansion and increase production capacity.

MPP Ernie Hardeman says the province is investing $5-million from the Regional Development

Program towards this project.

The money from the province will allow Federal White Cement to create up to 15 new jobs and retain 89 other positions. Federal White Cement is the only white cement producer in Canada. It’s also the 8th largest producer of white cement worldwide.

View the press release

Quarterly financial statistics for enterprises, first quarter 2022

The first quarter of 2022 began with several events that affected the performance of the Canadian corporate sector. Blockades of the Ambassador Bridge crossing in Windsor, and geopolitical tensions in Ukraine prompted worries of supply chain disruptions and increases in prices.

Amid this backdrop, Canadian corporations reported a quarterly increase of 1.9% in net income before taxes (NIBT) during the first quarter of the year.

The financial sector led the increase, reporting a rise of 7.6% in NIBT during the first quarter of the year. In early March, the Bank of Canada raised its prime lending rate by 25 basis points. NIBT for the non-financial sector decreased 0.4%.

View the full report

Summer Company

Summer Company is a program of the government of Ontario that helps young people between 15 and 29 years old start and run their own summer business by providing funding, advice and services. The province’s Small Business Enterprise Centres and selected non-profit organizations in your community deliver the program.

If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll receive:

an award of up to $3,000
a first payment of up to $1,500 for start-up costs
a second payment of up to $1,500 once you’ve successfully completed the program
hands-on coaching
mentoring from business leaders in your community and from your program provider

You also get to keep any profits generated through the operation of your business.

Read more on the process, qualifications and how to apply or contact your local Community Futures office.