Labour Market News

The Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, a place of worship in Montréal, inaugurated its reception pavilion. The $150M project will also include restoring its dome and museum, as well as reconfiguring its gardens.

KWP Engineered Wood Siding, a wood siding manufacturer in Terrebonne, ceased operations. The manufacturer was a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain. As a result of the closure, 67 people were laid off.

The Société de transport du Saguenay (STS) is acquiring 26 electric buses from Nova Bus, a manufacturer from Saint-Eustache. The Government of Quebec is covering 95% of the cost of each vehicle, which is estimated at $1.5M. The STS expects to receive the buses by 2027.

The Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec is cutting 100 management positions in the wake of $42M in cuts that it must make by March 31, 2025.

Osisko Metals, a company specializing in base metals, is planning to invest around $36M in its drilling program at the Gaspé Copper Mine in Murdochville in 2025

Innergex, a renewable energy producer, and the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation are starting the Mesgi'g Ugju’s’n 2 project, which is a wind farm in Rivière-Nouvelle. The $250M project should be complete before December 2026, and it will create 140 jobs.

The Réseau de transport de Longueuil is investing around $35.6M in acquiring 20 electric buses. The first delivery of 10 vehicles is scheduled for the spring of 2026, and the other 10 will be delivered in the fall of the same year.

Galvanisation Québec, a company that specializes in galvanizing steel, announced the construction of a new $50M plant in Drummondville. Production is scheduled to start in December 2026, which will create around 100 jobs.

Sephora, a chain of cosmetics stores, will open a second location in downtown Montréal

Ray Junior Courtemanche, a real estate developer, announced that construction has started on the third tower of the 189-unit SKYBLÜ 3 Urban Condos project in Mirabel. The 15-storey building will include a gym, terrace, and an outdoor pool.

The Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean is looking to hire 45 doctors specializing in various fields, including medical genetics, medical biochemistry, psychiatry, and radiation oncology

General Dynamics, an ammunition manufacturing company, plans to invest up to $700M in its plant in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. The project will start in early 2026 and be complete in 2028. The company will create over 200 jobs when the project is completed.

The Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is moving forward with a loan by-law valued at over $17M to rehabilitate the underground network and pave a portion of Vieux-Iberville. The project will begin this fall.

The Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec is cutting 100 management positions in the wake of $42M in cuts that it must make by March 31, 2025.

Pat BBQ, a company specializing in sauces and spices, is looking to hire 12 to 15 employees to resume operations at its production plant in L’Isle-Verte

Canac, a hardware store chain, inaugurated its location in Rivière-du-Loup after an investment of over $20M. The store currently has 125 employees, and the business is looking to hire more people in the coming weeks.

Equinox Construction Services, an engineering consulting firm specializing in renewable energy, will recruit people to work on wind energy development in Dorval

The Municipalité de Pointe-aux-Outardes received $1.8M from the Government of Quebec to repair a section of Baie-Saint-Ludger Street

Brasseurs du Moulin ceased operations and closed its production plant in Varennes, as well as its microbrewery in Belœil

Imaginaire, a hobby and collectibles store, will inaugurate its ninth store in July in Saguenay. The project, estimated at around $2.6M, includes nearly $1.4M allocated for renovation work.

The 14th edition of the Lévis-Bellechasse job fair will take place on March 21 and 22 at the Centre des congrès in Lévis. There are numerous part- and full-time positions available.

CAE, a company specializing in aviation, will train fighter jet pilots in Montréal. The federal government is a partner in the project, which will create or maintain 1,100 jobs annually. The project will also help the company purchase training simulators.

The Gîte du Copaco on Anticosti Island is investing at least $1.5M in an ecotourism project aimed at offering activities for all four seasons. The Société du Plan Nord is financially supporting the project.

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is committing an additional $950M in support of two of its corporate financial assistance programs due to high interest rates, inflation, and the uncertainty related to tariffs

The Société de transport du Saguenay (STS) is acquiring 26 electric buses from Nova Bus, a manufacturer from Saint-Eustache. The Government of Quebec is covering 95% of the cost of each vehicle, which is estimated at $1.5M. The STS expects to receive the buses by 2027.

The Lise and Yvon Lamarre Center is a site in Montréal that will offer accommodation for 16 autistic people between the ages of 21 and 35 in the Sud-Ouest borough. The $12.5M project was funded by various partners, including the three levels of government.

Groupe Lessard, an aluminum window manufacturer and installer, is investing $5M in purchasing automated equipment and expanding its plant in Laval. The provincial government is granting a loan of up to 80% of the investment.

CLORIA Développement, a real estate developer, and its partners announced the construction of Cloria Île-des-Frères, which is a 135-unit rental apartment building in Saint-Jérôme. An Avril Supermarché Santé store is included in the project, which will create 80 jobs.

Québec Pro-Pli, a manufacturer and retailer of metal products, inaugurated Alma Pro-Pli in partnership with Plans MB3D, Patriote—Maisons & chalets, and Allié Design d’intérieur. The $1.2M project brings the company’s operations together in one building in Alma.

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie-Ouest cut around 160 jobs affecting orderlies, nurses and nursing assistants. In addition, the institution is eliminating around 100 vacant positions.

The Ville de Marieville is investing around $14M, half of which is subsidized, in building its community centre and library. Marieville Construction is carrying out the project, which should start in April and be complete in late 2026.

The Ville de Saguenay is allocating $15.5M over a seven-year period for recycling sewage sludge from its treatment plants. Groupe Sanidro, a company specializing in pipe and septic tank sanitation, was awarded the contract again.

The Government of Canada is providing $315K in funding for fourteen projects aimed at supporting seniors across Yukon. These projects include recreational and social programs, as well as initiatives to prevent senior abuse and promote financial security.

The Council of Yukon First Nations has opened a 10-unit housing facility for Indigenous women and children in Whitehorse. The Family Preservation Wellness centre provides residents with meals, assistance with finding permanent housing, and culturally-relevant programming.

The NWT Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) reported significant staff turnover during the 2023-24 fiscal year. During this period, 182 full-time employees were hired, while 163 left, with nearly three-quarters resigning, and the rest retiring, having their terms expire, or leaving for other reasons.

The Great Slave Animal Hospital in Yellowknife has closed unexpectedly. The clinic was one of only two veterinary practices in the city.

The federal government is allocating $9.7M toward 166 unit through 11 affordable housing projects in Yukon. The funds will help improve, repair and provide new housing across municipalities in the territory, as well as to enhance energy efficiency.

Cantex Mine Development reported elevated germanium results from its 2024 drilling program at the North Rackla project in the Yukon. The drilling uncovered high-grade germanium, along with significant silver, lead, and zinc. These results highlight North Rackla's potential as a crucial alternative source of germanium, especially given China's export restrictions, which have increased the need for reliable supplies In North America.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) will allocate $15M in federal funding to support the renewal of Elders' Care facilities in three Nunavut communities. One third of the funds are earmarked for upgrades at the facility in Arviat, while the remainder will be spent on improvements to facilities in Gjoa Haven and Igloolik.

According to Canadian North Resources Inc., the Kivalliq region in Nunavut could become a key player in securing Canada’s domestic supply of critical minerals. The company has invested over $200M into the Ferguson Lake project, which contains essential minerals like nickel, copper, and cobalt for green technologies. Despite challenges from land-use plans, the project could help meet Canada's growing demand for stable sources of critical minerals.

Several teachers have resigned in Naujaat in recent months, causing concern among school administrators. Although long-term substitutes are taking on the roles, half of the high school's teaching positions are vacant.

The federal government is providing $565K to upgrade the Hay River Golf Club. The funding will be used to replace the greens, clubhouse, and nearby campground, to help improve local tourism and community facilities.

The federal government has signed an agreement with the Government of Yukon to provide $1M over two years to support Downtown Whitehorse Safety Response Action Plan. The initiative includes a 17-unit supportive housing program, as well as the development of a community safety and well-being plan for Whitehorse.

The Department of Canadian Heritage will provide over $1.1M to support Indigenous-led sports projects in Nunavut. The Government of Nunavut, the City of Iqaluit, Recreation and Parks Association Nunavut, and Sport Nunavut will receive funding for initiatives that engage youth in cultural traditions, environmental stewardship, and creative expression.

Saskatchewan had the highest per capita numbers of regulated nursing professionals in western Canada every year between 2019 and 2023. Over this period, Saskatchewan added 1,056 more nursing professionals (+6.7%), in addition to more paramedics and physician specialists. Ongoing recruitment efforts have been successful with over 1,400 in-and-out-of-province nursing graduates hired between December 2022 to June 2024.

The Esterhazy Economic Development Committee recently hosted a half-day succession readiness workshop on February 12. The workshop provided local businesses with information on succession planning and guidance on transitioning operations at the end of a long, multi-generational run.

Saskatchewan ranks second in year-over-year building permits amongst provinces. According to Statistics Canada, there was a 59.4% increase in provincial building permits values from December 2023 to December 2024, with December 2024 totalling $258M. Additionally, Regina and Saskatoon saw a 50.4% and 34.2% growth respectively.

Construction for the new hospice wing in Moose Jaw’s Pioneer Lodge is almost complete. The renovated space will include three new palliative care rooms, library services, and a kithcennette. Construction will finish by March and a ribbon cutting will be scheduled for April.

Saskatchewan ranks first in year-over-year and second in month-over-month growth in building construction investment. Statistics Canada reports a 30.0% increase in building construction investment in December 2024 compared to December 2023 and a 9.4% increase in the month-over-month growth from November 2024 to December 2024.

The Saskatoon City Hospital Emergency Department is reducing their hours between February 15-23, 2025, due to physician availability. The emergency department will be open from 9:00am to 6:00pm during this period.

The mobile mammography bus run by the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency will be servicing rural and northern communities between January to March. Doctor referrals are not needed and appointments can be booked six weeks in advance.

The Government of Saskatchewan is sending a delegation to Vietnam and Singapore to recruit workers and encourage trade opportunities within the mining, critical minerals, energy, and agri-value sectors. In 2024, the province exported $130.6M and $10.3M worth of goods to Vietnam and Singapore respectively.

The Government of Canada is providing $1.3M to increase pilot training opportunities and aerospace manufacturing in Saskatchewan. The funding will help address labour market needs by expanding commercial flight training programs, sustaining instructor and support staff jobs, and developing business operations.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing an additional $29.5M to support relocatable classrooms, bringing the total to $58M. The funding will support 76 new relocatable classrooms stationed in Regina, Saskatoon, and eight other communities by September 2025.

Indigpreneur, a new business development company, recently launched to support Indigenous businesses and promote economic reconciliation, especially in ecotourism. Indigpreneur provides resources like strategies, marketing tools, and entrepreneur networks with cultural relevance for Indigenous business.

Construction for the new La Ronge Long-Term Care Home is halfway complete and expected to finish in 2027. The project began in 2023 with partial funding of $100M from the provincial government and local labour and suppliers. Upgrades will include various living spaces, a commercial kitchen, and a cafeteria. Future renovations will add a new adult program and new hemodialysis unit.

The Chinook School Division has ratified a new agreement with CUPE 4754, the union representing over 160 support staff. The agreement, effective until August 2027, includes annual raises of 2% to 3% from 2022 to 2026 and uniform and footwear allowances.

The Weyburn Leisure Centre will be opening their outdoor pool on May 16. They will be extending operations this season by opening two weeks earlier than usual. Many of the centre's staff are college or high school students.

The BHP Potash Academy, formed by Carlton Trail College and BHP in July 2024, recently hosted an orientation for thirteen trainees. The eight-month paid traineeship will provide classroom and theory learning, in addition to practical workshop training and hands-on experience. Upon completion, participants will become certified maintenance technicians and will be offered permanent, full-time employment at the Jansen mine.

Cosa Resources Corp. has begun core drilling at the Murphy Lake North Uranium Project located in the eastern Athabasca Basin. The company plans to fund the first $1.5M of exploration expenditures by December 31, 2027 and expects to finish initial drilling plans within the next few weeks.

The skateboard museum in Saskatoon is reopening after relocating to a larger location. The museum upgraded after experiencing a higher volume of visitors.

The Government of Manitoba is investing $200K through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund to support public safety initiatives for seven local police services and RCMP. The initiative includes providing youth with recreational outlets, offering crisis training to officers, and modernizing equipment for better evidence collection.

A new Costco is currently under construction in Winnipeg. The new 167,000 sq-ft. store is set to open before Christmas 2025.

The Government of Manitoba is spending $3.59M to support an increase in basic maintenance rates for children in care. The funding will cover basic needs such as food and clothing for those in foster homes, under kinship, and under customary care agreements.

The Government of Manitoba is spending $1.1M to support six projects focused on helping youth gain their first job experience. The projects will support provincial and newcomer youth by providing employment and apprenticeship opportunities within industries such as trades, aviation, and IT support.

Brandon’s Rotary Villas at Crocus Gardens is adding a new west-side building with 47 suites to accommodate increasing demands for senior housing. The expanded facility will offer 24-hour staff support, full access to amenities, and social programs.

The federal and provincial government are partnering to provide 700 new affordable childcare spaces at health-care facilities, schools, and post-secondary institutions across Manitoba, with extended hours to support shift workers. The initiative also includes a $5.8M tuition reimbursement program for early childhood education students and training for 30 Indigenous students in childcare.

The federal and provincial governments are providing $4.7M in funding to support 36 agriculture projects over the next three years. The projects are under the Research and Innovation Program and will focus on crop breeding and agricultural health research.

The new Portage Regional Health Centre has provided a construction update. The building is on track for completion in early 2026 with much of exterior components completed and significant progress on interior installations. The project sees about 400-450 workers on-site each day and has already exceeded 1 million labor worker hours.

The Government of Manitoba is building a new K-8 school in West St. Paul’s Meadowlands development. The school will offer a dual-track French and English curriculum, accommodating over 600 students and 74 infant and preschool child-care spaces. Design work will start in the coming months, with construction scheduled for early 2026 and opening anticipated for September 2027.

The Government of Manitoba is building a new dual-track French and English K-8 school in Winnipeg's Prairie Pointe community. The school will accommodate over 600 students and will also include 74 infant and preschool child-care spaces. Design work will start in the coming months, with construction scheduled for early 2026 and opening anticipated for September 2027.

Riverview School has been approved by the Brandon School Division to add Grades 7 and 8. The school is preparing and adjusting staffing to accommodate the new students starting this fall. Grade 7 registration is now open, with plans for Grade 7 students to begin in September 2025, and Grade 8 students in September 2026.

HI Cannabis, a local cannabis retailer, opened a new location in Summerland on February 15.

Construction of the Connect Parksville facility, specializing in brain injury services, began in January 2025. Once completed the facility will provide rehabilitation-focused programs to 28 residents.

BNA Brewing, a local bar and eatery, opened its new Vernon location on February 13.

Seaspan is investing $2.5M over the next five years to create new skills training and apprenticeship opportunities for Indigenous People in Greater Vancouver who want to pursue a career in the marine industry. Seaspan will be partnering with Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services to develop the training.

Several of British Columbia’s top employers are hiring throughout the province. BCAA is hiring for over 30 positions, with several based in Burnaby and elsewhere in BC. TransLink is also hiring for dozens of positions located in Metro Vancouver, including in IT, engineering and project management. BC Hydro has more than 70 positions available across the province, as well as several student roles.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology is beginning a $48M renewal project for its Burnaby Campus. The South Campus Infrastructure Renewal project will enhance public spaces, improve accessibility, and create a more inclusive campus environment. Construction is set to begin in early 2026 and be completed by 2029.

British Columbia’s minimum wage will increase by 45 cents per hour starting June 1. The increase will take minimum wage up from $17.40 to $17.85.

Hexagon Purus, a battery electric truck manufacturer, has laid off 40% of its workforce or 50 employees due to economic uncertainty caused by the threat of American tariffs and the loss of a major contract. The layoffs are spread across the company’s offices in Kelowna, Ontario, California and Texas.

Charelli’s Cheese Shop and Delicatessen in Oak Bay has announced it will be closing, with May 24 as the last day of operations.

The Eldorado Resort in Kelowna is hosting its seasonal summer hiring fair on March 8. The resort is looking to fill over 150 positions for the upcoming season. Available positions include guest services, attendants, housekeeping and culinary roles.

The Government of British Columbia is providing $1M to 20 communities across the province through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. The funds will be used to train emergency management staff in Indigenous cultural safety.

The International Village Mall Starbucks location in Vancouver permanently closed on February 14.

The Government of Canada has pledged $22.5M to Victoria’s Ogden Point cruise terminal for the construction of shore power infrastructure. The project is expected to improve water and air quality for visitors and support tourism in the region. There is currently no set date for the start of construction.

The City of Kamloops is set to begin construction of the Riverside Park outdoor skating rink this summer. The city received $5.4M from the Government of British Columbia’s Growing Communities Fund to support the project. The project is expected to take at least a year to complete and will open to skaters in winter 2026-27.

Work will begin this month on the new $289M cancer centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. In spring, construction will begin on an expanded parkade, expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Afterward, construction will commence on a three-storey parkade across the street, with completion anticipated in 2026.

Mello, a Vancouver brioche donut maker, is closing its Arbutus Street location on February 17. They cited the upcoming redevelopment of the building where the shop is located as the cause of the closure.

The City of Salmon Arm has announced the creation of a new tourism marketing organization in partnership with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society. The new two-year pilot project aims to attract more visitors to the city and will be funded through the Municipal and Regional District Tax Program.

Kev’s Épicerie, a specialty European grocery store in Vancouver, closed in January.

Circus Play Cafe, a Vancouver kid-friendly café, has announced it will be closing permanently. The business said that rising rent, input costs, and inflation caused the closure.

The Government of Canada is providing up to $33.1M to six transportation and trade projects across British Columbia and Alberta. The funds, from the National Trade Corridors Fund, will support improved rail access to and from the Port of Vancouver, a commodity inland port facility at the Port of Prince Rupert, and several rail bridge upgrades.

The Government of Alberta plans to spend $2.1B to build 11 new schools in the next 3-4 years, using the public-private partnership (P3) model. Five of the schools will be Edmonton, three in Calgary, and one of each in the communities of Airdrie, Chestermere, and Okotoks.

The Government of Canada is providing $3.4M to six Alberta communities for improvements to rural transit services. These include the purchase of new vehicles as well as the construction of bus stops and other transit infrastructure.

The Lethbridge Police Service has added four new members to its Downtown Policing Unit, bringing the total complement to six officers.

Strathcona County Council has approved the next phase of residential development in Adrossan, a hamlet near Sherwood Park. The developer, Strata Developments, is planning to develop 87 new lots this year, with home building to begin in 2026.

The Government of Alberta is investing a total of $55M to 15 emissions reduction projects across the province. The initiatives span a range of industries, including forestry, energy, water treatment, dairy, and printing. Most projects involve adopting new technologies or practices that will increase energy efficiency while creating jobs.

The City of Calgary is designing a project to twin a section of the Bearspaw feeder main, which ruptured last summer and caused months of water restrictions. The City says twinning 5km of the line will allow future repairs and servicing without disruption, making the feeder main more reliable. Construction could begin later this year.

Vesta Properties is planning a mixed-use project in downtown Calgary that will include three residential towers, three levels of retail space, and an outdoor plaza. The housing units will be a mixture of rentals and condominiums.

Red Deer Polytechnic is suspending five programs due to a projected $10M deficit in the 2025-2026 budget. The Alberta Union of Professional Employees estimates that about 100 positions will be cut because of the downsizing, but a statement from the school is anticipating only 35-40 layoffs.

The City of Lethbridge is holding a job fair in March, hiring for some seasonal positions in a variety of departments. There are openings in areas of parks and cemeteries, water and wastewater, environment, nature, and transportation.

The Residents in Recovery Society is purchasing the former Greyhound bus depot in Lloydminster and is converting it into a licensed childcare facility. The non-profit organization plans to offer 30 spaces catering specifically to high-need and neurodivergent children.

The federal government is providing $6.7M to four Edmonton tech companies, with the goal of helping them create jobs, increase research, and find new markets. The funding is expected to help generate about 100 new jobs in a variety of fields: digital health care, home technology, manufacturing, and battery storage.

Lethbridge County is ending its immigration program due to a lack of provincial funding. In 2023, the County signed on to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, helping it to fill 235 full time jobs at local businesses over two years.

WestJet has signed a 15-year deal with German aircraft services firm Lufthansa Technik that includes the construction of a new engine repair and maintenance station at Calgary’s airport. The $120M facility is scheduled to begin operating in 2027 and is expected to create up to 160 new jobs by 2030. Funding partners include the federal and provincial governments, the Calgary International Airport, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Calgary Economic Development and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund.

A new health clinic is opening in Bashaw, with six new physicians recruited to help staff it. The Bashaw Collaborative Health Model hopes to eventually incorporate social services into the clinic as well. An opening date has not yet been announced.

Acciona Energía has completed the installation of all 49 wind turbines at its Forty Mile wind farm in Bow Island. Fourteen of these are already connected to the energy grid, supplying 80 megawatts of electricity. The project is expected to be fully online in spring of 2025, with a capacity of 280 megawatts.

The Government of Alberta is spending $10M from 2024 to 2027 to improve midwifery access and recruit more practitioners. While the number of midwives in Alberta has climbed more than 25% since 2020, there remains a shortage in the province. According to the Alberta Association of Midwives, there are currently 4,500 people under the care of midwives and 3,400 on a waitlist.

A group of tourism companies have pledged a combined $5.5M over three years to assist the community of Jasper in its recovery from last summer’s wildfires. Local non-profit organizations will direct the funds to recovery projects and community services. Contributors include Pursuit, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Rocky Mountaineer, Jasper Brewing, and Maligne Range Distilling.

The women’s shelter in Rocky Mountain House may need to close a quarter of its beds due to a funding shortfall. The Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter received provincial funding last year to add seven new beds for a total capacity of 28. However, that funding is scheduled to end as of April 1.

Patricia Street Deli is planning to reopen in downtown Edmonton after losing its building in last summer’s Jasper wildfire. The owners say some former employees have expressed interest working at the new location.

The P.E.I. government has started a new provincial program called Grow the Herd, which will offer incentives to keep heifers and calves or buy new animals. The hope is to keep the Island's cattle industry growing, which has been faced with tight margins.

Many P.E.I. newcomers say that they are working multiple low-wage jobs and are struggling to cover groceries and rent. A recent CBC-Pollara survey reports that 82% of newcomers say that the Canada’s cost of living makes it difficult to settle in the country.

Black dot disease has been detected in P.E.I. potato crops, but isn't thought to be widespread on the Island. The P.E.I. Potato Board states that growers are keeping an eye out for the disease, which can be viewed by the eye, but can be difficult to spot.

In P.E.I., the number of permits granted to remove asbestos from structures has doubled in recent years. According to business leaders, the demand is high, while the number of experts who are certified to carry out this delicate work is limited.

The N.S. Government has announced plans to build 600 new public housing units this winter, with $136.4M going towards 242 new units to be built in communities where demand for affordable housing is high. These are in addition to the 273 units announced in the last 18 months.

The N.S. Government has introduced a new bill that would lift blanket bans on uranium exploration and hydraulic fracking of fossil fuels in Nova Scotia.

The Halifax Regional Municipality have approved funding for 10 new firefighters as part of the $97.9M Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency budget. The new firefighters will start in February 2026 in new logistics roles, and wildland fire training and will staff the new West Bedford fire station.

The Government of Canada has announced $2.3M to help fund solar energy upgrades for the Maritime Sikh Society which is also contributing $596,295.

New Business Openings/Coming Soon: Upward Kitchen & Café (Halifax), Crème (Halifax), and Vandal Doughnuts (Halifax).

Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) will be offering a condensed 14-month Bachelor of Education program (compared to 20) to begin in May to help ease the Nova Scotia-wide teacher shortage. The move follows Cape Breton University’s 8-month month online teaching degree that began in January 2025.

The Government of N.S. announced on Wednesday that it finalized an agreement to begin construction on a new 14-storey tower at a Halifax hospital site. The total project cost is estimated at $7.4B. This agreement was reached with Plenary PCL Health.

There are currently no offshore wind farms in the province yet, but the N.S. Government wants to open bids for the first round of offshore wind licences this year. Challenges include shifting priorities in the United States who have suspended new offshore wind leases, and also supporting the sector while also protecting existing ocean industries.

N.L. Health Services has reported that agency nurse use is down 42% from its highest point. The N.L. Government still plans to cut the number of agency nurses working in the health care system to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels by 2026, however, there are still instances where they could be used if recruiting staff proves challenging.

The minimum wage in N.L. is set to increase by 40 cents to $16/hour on April 1, 2025, covering about 17,000 workers in the province. The minimum overtime wage rate will increase to $24/hour. The annual increase is required under Labour Standards Regulations and based on the percentage change in the National Consumer Price Index.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) declared a primary control zone for the highly pathogenic avian influenza in Gander Bay on Thursday. Two suspected cases were reported.

Around 2,200 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1190 have a new employment contract. These mechanics, road and highway and provincial park employees across eight departments voted 95% in favour of the tentative agreement signed with the Government of N.B. in January. The agreement follows several months of difficult negotiations.

The District scolaire francophone Nord-Est (DSFNE) warned parents in the region that a shortage of supply teachers could lead to classes being cancelled. The DSFNE has 8,700 students in 34 schools between Campbellton and Neguac.

N.B. plans to rebate the 10% provincial portion of the HST off eligible multi-unit builds to help spur development of more affordable and available housing. The rebate would apply to construction that began between Nov. 15, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2027.

A new report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says Saint John is the most vulnerable in the country to potential U.S. tariffs. It noted that the Irving Oil refinery (Canada’s largest), and N.B.’s seafood and forestry industries export heavily to the U.S.

Moncton council gave preliminary approval for a proposed development to build four six-storey buildings with a total of 366 residential units. Noky Group, the developer, also plans to for 373 square metres of ground-floor commercial space once rezoned.

Vitalité, a Francophone health authority, is starting to hire more registered nurses than it is losing. For the current fiscal year, Vitalité has hired 133 registered nurses, while 93 have announced their departure. The authority is now on course to having a positive differential in 2024–2025 after it incurred a loss last year. Meanwhile, many positions remain vacant in the network.

A smokehouse in Petit-Cap was totally destroyed by fire this month. This is the second major fire for Elphege & Norbert LeBlanc in the past year. It is unknown how many employees were affected or if there are plans to rebuild.

The federal and N.B. government are providing over $40M to go towards firefighting equipment, training and wildfire education. The severity of wildfires has increased in recent years and the cost to fight them are expected to double by 2040.

St. Lawrence College eliminated 33 management positions and laid off 91 support staff across its Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall campuses

Construction on a $70M, 77,000-sq.-ft. YMCA in Barrie’s south end will begin in March, with expected completion by March 2027

The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service will receive $112M over the next ten years from the federal government to improve public safety and hire around 32 new officers in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory located on Manitoulin Island

Pho Ngon Dat Viet, a Vietnamese restaurant, opened in downtown London

Loblaws Inc. plans to invest $2.2B this year, opening 80 new stores, renovating over 300 grocery and pharmacy locations, and adding 100 new Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada. This expansion will create 8,000 new jobs nationwide.

The federal government is investing over $1M for three economic development initiatives in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation near Sudbury

Mohawk College in Hamilton has laid off 91 full-time and over 100 part-time faculty jobs

General Motors of Canada laid off 79 junior members at its Cami Automotive Assembly plant in Ingersoll

Food Banks Mississauga laid off 16% of its paid workforce and cancelled two of its programs

So Mexican Eatery will open a second location in Waterford, north of Port Dover, bringing six new jobs to the community

Chuck's Roadhouse Bar and Grill will open a new location in Collingwood in March and plans to hire about 40 employees

Seven Southern Ontario manufacturers from the Hamilton, Toronto, London, and Windsor regions will receive over $10M from the federal government to accelerate production and upgrade equipment to support the electric vehicle supply chain

Jersey Mike's Subs opened a new location in Pickering

Six life sciences organizations in the Toronto and London region will receive over $16M from the federal government to expand medical manufacturing and commercialize new products

The federal government is investing over $9M into seven Waterloo region businesses

The Golden Rooster Delicatessen in downtown Kingston has closed

Virentia, an alfalfa research and processing lab in Bécancour, ceased operations on January 31, 2025. The company laid off about 20 workers as a result.

Dumont Nickel, a mining company based in Amos, will receive up to $1.1M from the Government of Canada for a study to connect its Dumont project in Launay to Hydro-Québec's electricity grid

Évolys, a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Aymium to produce biocarbon, is currently building a $50M plant in Thurso. Production could begin in June.

MDA Space, a satellite manufacturer, will hire 250 people who will join its workforce of 1,450 employees at its plant in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

Les P’tites Frimousses, a childcare centre, opened a new facility in Saint-Théodore-d’Acton, which can accommodate 37 children. The centre created about 10 jobs.

Real estate developer Eximm will construct a building with 205 affordable housing units called Le Philippe phase 2 in Québec. The Government of Quebec and the Ville de Québec are contributing nearly $30M and $12M, respectively, to the project. It should be delivered by the fall of 2026.

Cirque du Soleil, an artistic entertainment company, laid off 110 people mainly at its international head office in Montréal

Inogec, a manufacturer of custom industrial equipment in Sherbrooke, is investing over $4M in the construction of a new building and in equipment procurement thanks to an investment from the Government of Quebec

The Ville de Baie-Saint-Paul will fund the construction of a building with 15 social housing units. The Government of Quebec is funding more than half of the $6M investment.

Accès P'tite-Rivière, a developer organization for social and affordable housing units, is building 20 units called Habitations Petite-Rivière in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. The three levels of government are funding the project, which is estimated at $8.8M.

Sayona, a mining company in La Corne, will receive up to $1.3M from the Government of Canada to bring a transmission line to its Moblan lithium mining project in Nord-du-Québec

Chemtec, a flooring manufacturer, received $6.2M from Quebec and Ottawa to acquire equipment and expand its plant in Laval. Valued at $7.7M, the project will be finished by the summer. The company will also hire 12 people, and they will join around 30 employees.

Cordé Électrique, an electrical harness manufacturer, is investing over $3M in expanding its facilities in Maricourt and in acquiring equipment thanks to an investment from the Government of Quebec

The Hôpital de Saint-Eustache recently inaugurated its new nuclear medicine unit thanks to a $37M investment

Cinémas Guzzo, a movie theatre chain experiencing financial difficulties, closed its seven locations. The company laid off approximately 300 people.

GPK Bioénergie, a renewable natural gas company, received $15M from the Government of Quebec for its plant in L’Ange-Gardien. The overall project of $36.3M will also create jobs.

The Municipalité de Saint-Jean-de-Matha announced that a new fire station will be built. The Government of Quebec is contributing over $4M to the project.

The Baie-Comeau Port Management Corporation received just over $17.5M from the Government of Quebec to rehabilitate the dock at Terminal No. 5

The Ville de Victoriaville announced that it will build a multi-purpose centre with a refrigerated rink this spring thanks to a $12.6M investment in collaboration with the Government of Quebec. Construction is scheduled to be finished by the spring of 2026.

Canada Post, a corporation providing domestic mail and parcel delivery, is laying off around 50 managers as part of a restructuring process due to significant financial losses

SBI International, a manufacturer of heating products, will cease operations at its plant in La Guadeloupe in May due to a drop in demand for residential fireplaces. As a result, the company will lay off 28 employees.

Pavillon Chantejoie, an organization that builds affordable housing units for semi-independent seniors, will build 40 units in Saint-Raymond. The three levels of government are funding the project, which is estimated at over $20.7M.

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de Lanaudière is cutting 117 vacancies at its various facilities

This year, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will recruit around 50 people to ensure the safety of passengers who use its network

The Sécurité publique de Uashat mak Mani-uteman plans to open its police station before April and would like to hire four patrol officers to join 16 others who are already on staff

Eskan Company, a construction company that belongs to the Cree Nation of Mistissini, will receive up to $13.5M from the federal government to study the extension of the access road to the Renard Mine in Nord-du-Québec

Novafruit, a company that cultivates soilless strawberries, is partnering with Entreprises Pitre, a berry producer, to build a new nursery in Lac-des-Écorces. This partnership will quadruple production and create over 50 jobs.

Critical Elements Lithium Corporation, a mining company, received a repayable loan of up to $20M to power the Rose Lithium-Tantalum project in Nord-du-Québec

Sheertex, a textile manufacturer that makes rip-resistant tights, temporarily laid off 140 employees in Montréal partly due to the possible introduction of tariffs

The Ville de Rimouski is receiving over $3.24M in funding from the Government of Quebec to rehabilitate avenue de la Cathédrale. The $5.5M project should begin in May and will be finished by October 2025.

Maxi, a grocery store chain, will open a new small store in Québec in April. It also plans on opening more small grocery stores in other cities in Quebec throughout the year.

Pneus à Rabais, a tire retailer and distributor, started to build a new warehouse in Saint-Jérôme in September 2024. The warehouse is scheduled to open in September 2025.

The Unité de travail pour l’implantation de logement étudiant is continuing to build 155 apartments for clients from the Université du Québec à Rimouski. Various partners are funding the $37M project, which should be finished by July 1, 2025.

Cbay Minerals, a subsidiary of the Doré Copper mining company, will receive up to $1.3M from the Government of Canada for a feasibility study to build a road and power line that will connect two mining properties in Nord-du-Québec

KrownCORP, a plastic recycling company, is investing over $3.7M in developing a new plant in an existing building in Richmond thanks to an investment from the Government of Quebec

Tandem Pickleball, a new sports centre to play pickleball, will open this summer in Sherbrooke following investments valued at $5M

The Sourcière childcare centre will open a new facility by December in Val-des-Source. The centre will create between 15 and 20 new jobs.

Recycling management company Matrec opened an automated sorting centre, which uses the most advanced technology in Canada, in Montréal's east end

The Government of Canada has pledged nearly $15M over three years for the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund, which supports food sector businesses, social enterprises, and community-led projects aimed at reducing reliance on southern food supplies.

The Government of Canada, through the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, is granting over $121K to five Indigenous businesses in the Northwest Territories. Each business will receive up to $25,000 in non-repayable grants to support sustainable long-term growth.

The Government of Canada is providing nearly $14M to support local transportation systems in four Northwest Territories communities. Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Simpson and Fort Liard will receive a portion of the funds to support infrastructure projects in their communities

The federal government announced a $2.5M pilot program to fund five Yukon First Nation-led studies on critical mineral and infrastructure development. The funding will support Indigenous participation in decisions regarding major resource and infrastructure projects.

The federal government is providing over $821K to the Northern Recreation Leader Corps., a project designed to train young leaders from across the Northwest Territories. The funds will help support training for up to 120 Indigenous youths across the territory and create more opportunities in recreation and volunteer programs.

The Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association has paused some of its events for 2025. The association stated that the pause is to ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations.

Erasmus Apparel, a Yellowknife clothing business, has announced it will shut down its retail store in March. The business will continue to run its online store.

The Government of Canada announced the signing of an amendment to the Teslin Tlingit Council Administration of Justice Agreement Implementation Plan, focused on corrections and community services. The agreement provides $5M this year and $2.1M annually to support the Teslin Tlingit Council in implementing their corrections and community service model.

The Government of Saskatchewan is allocating $923.1M under a special warrant to 15 government ministries. The special warrant provides additional funding from Saskatchewan’s General Revenue Fund and is intended to address increasing cost pressures and address emerging issues across government sectors.

The St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan is preparing to reopen their obstetrics unit. The hospital has restaffed the unit but will remain closed until physicians are hired. Six physician positions are approved for the hospital — three anesthetists and three general practitioners with enhanced surgical skills.

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency launched a new radiation therapy program to treat cervical cancer. The program will eliminate the need for out-of-province treatment and is expected to see over 20 cervical cancer patients per year. The program will be offered to all provincial patients in Saskatoon with future expansion planned for Regina.

The Marguerite Riel Centre is opening a second location in Melfort. The new location will offer more services and activities such as music, art therapy, land-based cultural learning, and physical and nutrition programs. The new facility will be open until March of 2026, with plans to review operational needs in the fall.

The Town of La Ronge is implementing a new housing incentive program to encourage housing construction and residential land development. The town is looking to build 58 housing units by offering new developments $10,000 per new unit for up to three units, and $15,000 for developments of four or more new units.

Suncrest College has revised its Continuing Care Assistant program to help alleviate health staffing challenges in Melfort. The new program will have three classroom days per week, allowing students a flexible schedule and time to find employment with long-term care homes, home care, and acute care facilities. Registration is currently open, and courses will start August 2025.

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and Bioresources are receiving $8M through federal funding and industry supporters. The funding will support 28 research projects focused livestock, crops, and sustainability.

Saskatoon Public Schools is laying off 80 temporary educational assistants over the next two weeks because it did not receive federal funding to pay for the positions. Funding was previously provided through the Jordan’s Principle Fund, a child-first legal rule to ensure First Nations children receive necessary and timely government services.

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine are receiving $2.46M to support 12 research projects investigating livestock health, diagnostic tool development, and vaccine and infectious disease research. The funding is part of Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund to support livestock and forage research across Saskatchewan and Western Canada.

The Town on Niverville recently added a 10-day pass system to their mobile food service by-law. The new changes allow food truck vendors in approved locations to operate for 10 non-consecutive days throughout the year, instead of the 7 consecutive days previously required.

NCN Thompson Bus Lines, an Indigenous owned company, will be adding a new bus service to connect five northern Manitoba communities to Winnipeg by April 2025. The new service will include a daytime freight run and an overnight passenger run seven days a week. The expansion is expected to create 10 new jobs and more revenue for the First Nation communities.

The Government of Manitoba is building a new K-8 school in Winnipeg's Devonshire Park neighbourhood. The new school will support the district’s growing student population and offer 74 infant and preschool child-care spaces. Design work will start in the coming months, with construction scheduled for early 2026 and opening anticipated for September 2027.

The Government of Manitoba is allocating an additional $40K to Community Mobilization Westman, totaling $120K. The funding will go towards crime reduction efforts by increasing services and supports for at-risk individuals or families throughout the province.

The Government of Manitoba is spending $72M to expand the Park Manor Personal Care Home in Winnipeg’s Transcona neighbourhood. The senior care facility will add 90 private beds and is part of the province's initiative to provide more long-term care services.

The municipal and federal governments are providing $58.5M through the Housing Accelerator Fund to construct new homes in Winnipeg. The funding will support the construction of 2,500 new homes, with $25M allocated in capital grants for 12 housing projects and $33.5M in tax increment financing for 16 affordable housing projects.

The City of Steinbach recently approved a $6.6M sewer expansion to support increasing demands and population growth. The project includes upgrading Lift Station #1 and connecting it to the city's wastewater lagoon via a new force main. The first two bylaw readings have been approved but a final approval from the Municipal Board is still needed before work can commence.

The University College of the North is receiving $1.15M in federal funding to expand the train-to-hire program for Indigenous students. The expansion will support participants by preparing them for mining industry careers through classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and by providing student housing in Flin Flon.

The Government of Manitoba and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce are providing $200K to launch a new pilot program supporting Black entrepreneurs and business owners. This program aims to address the province's underrepresentation of Black entrepreneurs and business owners and support their business growth and development.

The Government of Canada is providing 1.57M to fund three pilot projects to help Manitoba seniors aging at home. The project will support low-income and vulnerable seniors living independently by improving their quality of life through volunteer visits, light housekeeping, and home maintenance.

A new minor injury and illness clinic has recently opened in the Misericordia Health Centre in Downtown Winnipeg. The clinic will offer diagnostic imaging and medical laboratory services and will be staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, registered nurses, and primary care assistants.

The Government of Manitoba is providing $500K to launch a new treatment program for children and youth with eating disorders. The government will be partnering with the Women’s Health Clinic to provide early intervention, treatment services, and Indigenous support.

Disney Cruise Line is adding a second cruise ship to Vancouver as part of its expansion. The expansion will take place in the 2026 season and will see the two ships using Vancouver as their homeports.

PepsiCo is hiring for over 140 summer jobs and full-time roles at several locations across Canada. Its Delta, B.C. facility is one such location. The company is hiring for warehouse workers, account merchandisers, route sales representatives, delivery drivers and general production workers.

The Den, a Vancouver arcade bar, announced that it will close at the end of February. The building is undergoing maintenance, and the business will not be returning.

Sult Pierogi Bar in Victoria announced that it was closing on February 12. The restaurant cited rising labour and ingredient costs as well as the lingering impacts of the pandemic as contributing to the closure.

The Government of British Columbia has announced new legislation to speed up the permitting process for energy projects starting spring 2025. Under the legislation, the BC Energy Regulator will be the authority for permitting and regulating renewable energy and high-voltage electricity transmission projects. The BC Energy Regulator will hire additional staff to fulfill this role.

Dawson Creek has announced it has received over $65.8K from Northern Development for its Lighting of City Signs project. The funds came from the Main Street Revitalization Capital grant and went towards improving guest experiences at N.A.R. Park. The upgrades will benefit tourism and community events.

Pokey Okey has announced it will be closing its Richmond and Burnaby locations. Its Vancouver location remains open.

The District Municipality of Saanich has provided $713K in grant funding to two large affordable housing projects. The funds will make the projects more financially viable, and will support surveying and geotechnical work at the sites.

Quw’utsun Secondary, a new $86M high school in the Cowichan Valley, has officially opened to students. The school replaces Cowichan Secondary which opened in 1950. The new school has space for up to 1.1K students with the possibility of expansion to 1.5K spaces.

According to the Baillie House, Merritt’s visitor centre, tourist visits to the city were down significantly last year. In 2024, 16.3K people visited the location, an 18% drop from the 20K visitors recorded in 2023. The city also reports that it has lost nearly a third of its yearly tourists since 2022.

The Government of British Columbia has announced the opening of 148 new childcare spaces at Marysville Elementary school located in Kimberley. The project received more than $8.8M from the province’s ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.

The Government of British Columbia is providing $1.5M to 12 local technology companies through the BC Fast Pilot program. The funding will support pilot projects in areas such as wildfire management, critical minerals, water treatment, artificial intelligence, clean technology, and agriculture.

The Government of British Columbia has announced six new Indigenous justice centres across the province. These new centres will offer First Nations culturally appropriate legal advice, representation and referrals to local support services. New centres are opening in Kamloops, Williams Lake, Cranbrook, Port Hardy, Fort St. John and a shared location serving Burns Lake and Hazelton.

The Government of Canada has announced $24.2M of funding for Indigenous, Métis and Inuit sporting initiatives for First Nations communities. First Nations groups in B.C. are set to receive funding from the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities initiative for 2024 to 2026. These funds will support 119 projects across Canada.

Disney is hiring for positions in Vancouver at its Industrial Light & Magic and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The company is hiring for supervisors, animators and system engineers.

Sinjeon Topokki, a Korean street food chain, has opened a location in Coquitlam.

Playland at the PNE is currently hiring for over 200 positions. Positions include rides, games, guest experience, maintenance, and food and beverage workers.

Don Oso, a Mexican restaurant, announced that it closed its Vancouver location on January 27. The restaurant said it was closing due to rising operating costs and increases to its lease.

The District of Lake Country has received $150K from the Government of British Columbia to identify climate-related hazards. The funds come from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, which helps local governments respond to emergencies and reduce the risks from future natural disasters.

The $1.1B A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project has been completed at CFB Esquimalt. The new jetty is larger, more robust and able to accommodate new ships. The project created 1.3K jobs during its construction. Work has now begun on the A-Jetty expansion project, the final phase of the recapitalization project expected to be completed in 2031.

The new PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge at Chances Kelowna has opened. The lounge is one of two sports betting environments recently opened in partnership with BC Lottery throughout the province.

The Prince George Conservatory of Music has completed renovations in part due to over $51.3K from a Northern Development Infrastructure grant. The upgrades enhance the school’s functionality, improve the learning environment and improves the structure’s energy efficiency.

The Government of Canada has provided $6M to adMare BioInnovations to create a 30K sq. ft. innovation centre in Vancouver to support local biotech research and development. The new centre will help give early-stage life sciences companies the necessary resources to expand and advance their innovations. The centre is expected to create and maintain 100 jobs and will open in 2026.

Okanagan College Penticton has begun construction on a new student housing facility with 101 beds. The project will cost $24M and is mostly funded by the Government of British Columbia. The housing is expected to be ready by fall 2026.

The Government of British Columbia has announced it will be fast-tracking 18 mining and energy projects in response to the threat of U.S. tariffs. The list released February 4 includes projects worth roughly $20B that the government says it is working to permit more quickly. These projects would have a combined expected employment of about 8K people.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has announced an investment of over $14M to support the construction of high-speed fibre Internet infrastructure in northern communities, including Jade City and Good Hope Lake in BC. The infrastructure is expected to provide new digital opportunities to local businesses and improve access to health care and education.

The Town of Innisfail has paused its planned $4M solar facility due to changes in power pricing. The municipal council says it is no longer financially feasible to proceed with the project on its own, but could pursue it in the future if it finds another investor. The 1.5 to 2-megawatt facility was expected to generate $700,000 annually for the town when the project first began in 2023.

Passenger volumes at the Edmonton International Airport have reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels, with several new routes added in the last year. The airport recorded 7.92M passengers in 2024, compared with 8.15M in 2019.

Work has begun on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the CPR Bridge in Red Deer. The $22.3M project is being funded by the federal and provincial governments, and is scheduled to take about a year and a half to complete.

Red Deer Polytechnic expects a $10M deficit in its 2025-2026 budget, which will result in layoffs and program suspensions. The shortfall is caused by declining international student enrolment, rising inflation, and the lack of an increase in base grant provincial funding.

The governments of Canada and Alberta are providing additional funding to wildfire recovery efforts in Jasper. The federal government has committed $162M, $30M of which is earmarked for interim housing and $9M for permanent homes. The provincial government has set aside $8M, partly to compensate Jasper for lost property tax revenues in the wake of last year’s fire.

A new senior care facility, the Pleasant View Lodge, recently opened in Spirit River. The facility provides 92 spaces ranging from independent living to continuing care home (CCH) spaces. Half of the 52 CCH spaces are reserved for residents with dementia who need higher levels of support.

Alberta Health Services recently opened a $4.1M Emergency Medical Services facility in Valleyview. It houses two ambulances and 12 full-time crew members, and recruiting efforts are currently underway to add more staff. Valleyview’s emergency medical services were previously run out of the town’s fire station.

The National Bank of Canada has acquired the Canadian Western Bank in a $5B deal that will see the Edmonton bank relocate from Jasper Avenue to Manulife Place on 101 Street. National Bank leadership has stated that layoffs could result in some areas, but that they expect to do additional hiring in others.

Schools in Calgary are having difficulty covering teacher absences due to a shortage of substitute teachers. More than one in 10 substitute positions is currently vacant, and some of these teachers are choosing to assist with the province’s new literacy assessments rather than working in classrooms.

A new facility specializing in eating disorder treatment and recovery has opened in northeast Calgary. The EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre can house 12 people at once and accepts clients between the ages of 12 and 24. Provincial funding of $10M over three years, 2023 to 2026, allows the centre to provide free treatment for up to 52 clients each year.

The National accessArts Centre will soon be redeveloping Scouts’ Hall into a hub for artists with disabilities. Trico Communities has provided a $500,000 multi-year sponsorship for the new facility, expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. It will include exhibition, performance, and studio spaces as well as training and workshop areas.

Parks Canada has contracted the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada to oversee an international design competition for Banff National Park. Applicants will generate conceptual designs for an area in downtown Banff set to be redeveloped and revitalized. The competition runs until March 2026.

The Government of Alberta currently has $19M in irrigation work underway in the province. This includes 14 projects across nine irrigation districts.

The Alberta Utilities Commission has approved the City of Medicine Hat to purchase the Saamis Solar Park, and to build solar panels for up to 75 megawatts’ capacity. Council still needs to determine if any construction will begin at the site in Medicine Hat's north end, and city staff are now beginning research into the project’s feasibility.

Vegpro, a company specializing in producing lettuce, could receive up to $8.7M in subsidies for its greenhouse project in Sherrington. The greenhouses should be operational in the spring of 2025. The overall project, valued at $140M, includes a packaging plant that will create around 80 jobs.

Mobilisation de la Grande séduction d’Abitibi-Ouest, an organization seeking to attract nurses to the region, is continuing its efforts to find around 100 candidates by 2026

Summerside operations are trying to help as power disruptions hit western P.E.I. Credit Union Place shut down before peak power usage time, Water Street Bakery had to shut down and throw out product, and Dairy processor ADL switched to its own generator.

The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. Canada accounted for over 79% of all primary aluminum metal imported into the U.S. in 2024. The United Steelworkers union says it will hurt workers in Canada and the U.S.

The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund will deliver $86.2M in funding over 10 years to help accelerate housing development, increase densification, and meet the growing demand for affordable housing on P.E.I. Applications for funds will begin on May 1, 2025.

A damaged Maritime Electric substation in Sherbrooke has led to power outages across western P.E.I. Although Summerside generates much of its own electricity, it shut down some municipal facilities in an effort to avoid blackouts.

The majority of airport authorities have seen an increase in the number of travellers in the region. At the Stanfield and Moncton airports, the recovery rates are 95% and 98.1%, respectively. According to a specialist in the aviation industry, the reason it has taken so many years to return to normal is mainly due to the shortage of workers in the aviation sector.

According to the vice-president of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, the trucking industry is facing one of its worst recessions in over 50 years. The recession is caused by increasing prices and changing consumer habits since the pandemic, which has led to lower demand for Atlantic carriers.

Porter Airlines will add four weekly direct flight between Charlottetown and Toronto this summer. The Charlottetown Airport welcomes the news after both WestJet and Flair informed them that they were cutting back on their flights this summer.

The Government of Canada has announced $400k in funding to Larch Wood Enterprises in Margaree to expand its current facility, construct a second manufacturing building and purchase equipment. The company produces high-end wood products and currently employs 25 people. The expansion is expected to create 2 new jobs.

The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. Canada accounted for over 79% of all primary aluminum metal imported into the U.S. in 2024.The United Steelworkers union says it will hurt workers in Canada and the U.S.

The majority of airport authorities have seen an increase in the number of travellers in the region. At the Stanfield and Moncton airports, the recovery rates are 95% and 98.1%, respectively. According to a specialist in the aviation industry, the reason it has taken so many years to return to normal is mainly due to the shortage of workers in the aviation sector.

According to the vice-president of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, the trucking industry is facing one of its worst recessions in over 50 years. The recession is caused by increasing prices and changing consumer habits since the pandemic, which has led to lower demand for Atlantic carriers.

Nova Scotia’s updated over $1B, 5-year school capital plan now includes planning for 19 new or replacement schools, 12 in Halifax Regional Municipality and 3 are Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) schools that support French first-language learning. Three will open in the 2025-26 school year.

The N.S. Government has announced an initial $10M in funding to create the province’s first mental health and addictions publicly funded insured services program. The first phase will boost access to non-urgent mental healthcare by publicly funding private-sector professionals and aims to launch in Spring 2025.

New Business Openings/Coming Soon: Lotus Kitchen and Bar, Bundle of Bun, Cafe du Port, Ma Cha & Plate, and Selby’s Bunker (all in Halifax), PizzaTown (St. Margarets Bay Rd), Bank ICICI (Kearney Lake Rd.), Walmart (Mumford Rd./Halifax), Shoppers Drug Mart and Starbucks (Elmsdale); Closures: Lily’s Lingerie, Frank and Oak, and Take It Outside (All in Halifax).

Australian parent company St. Barbara has announced it will be divesting itself of its subsidiary, Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia, later this year, which owns the Fifteen Mile Stream, Beaver Dam and Cochrane Hill projects (all in development phase), as well as the Touquoy site which ceased production in 2023. There are no layoffs expected.

The N.S. Government has announced about $9M to daycare operators in Halifax and Cape Breton to create up to 335 new spaces by March 2026. Operators include ForestKids Early Learning Organization, Silver Crescent Academy, Tots Early Learning Society, Cunard Street Children's Centre, By the Sea Early Learning, North End Community Day Care and the Glace Bay Youth and Family Centre.

The N.S. Government has announced it is eliminating Communications Nova Scotia (CNS), as part of an effort to modernize the delivery of government messaging. CNS had a $6.9M 2024/25 budget and a staff of 87 people. Job loss numbers have not yet been announced but most communications staff will be reassigned to other departments.

The Government of Canada has announced $4.5M to develop and enhance 8 tourism products in Cape Breton: Cabot Cape Breton ($2M), Sidanna Retreat ($500k), Marble Mountain Estates ($250k), Village of Baddeck ($1.08M), Celtic Music Interpretive Centre Society ($268k), North Highlands Nordic Ski Club ($124k), and Theatre Baddeck Society $93k).

Vale Base Metals has announced layoffs in its management team across all business areas including operating, administrative, and corporate positions, as part of the company’s recently announced restructuring plans. The processing plant in Long Harbour started operations in 2014 and employs about 500 people.

The majority of airport authorities have seen an increase in the number of travellers in the region. At the Stanfield and Moncton airports, the recovery rates are 95% and 98.1%, respectively. According to a specialist in the aviation industry, the reason it has taken so many years to return to normal is mainly due to the shortage of workers in the aviation sector.

According to the vice-president of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, the trucking industry is facing one of its worst recessions in over 50 years. The recession is caused by increasing prices and changing consumer habits since the pandemic, which has led to lower demand for Atlantic carriers.

The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. Canada accounted for over 79% of all primary aluminum metal imported into the U.S. in 2024.The United Steelworkers union says it will hurt workers in Canada and the U.S.

4 companies in Paradise, N.L.- Karwood Contracting, Karwood Engineering, Karwood Design and Karwood Ontario - have entered creditor protection citing lender issues, the pandemic, construction approval delays and mounting supply costs as the main factors.

Downtown St. John’s has seen at least 12 recent business closures within the last 6 months, half of them along Water Street. The closures have mostly been restaurants with some retail and clubs also affected. As of June 2024, the office space vacancy rate downtown was 31%, compared to 19.9% (Halifax) and 15.5% (Fredericton).

The N.L. Government has announced a $300k campaign to bolster the future of the trades in the province through supporting employers who hire skilled apprenticeships and youth apprenticeships for high school students. The province estimates that over 6,000 construction and trade workers will retire in the next 10 years.

The N.B. Medical Society is calling for the provincial Department of Health and the Horizon Health Network to cancel the virtual care pilot project at two emergency departments in rural areas. The professional association argues that the $865,595 contract, which was awarded to Teladoc Health Canada, is a poor use of funds during a time of crisis for the public health care system.

According to the vice-president of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, the trucking industry is facing one of its worst recessions in over 50 years. The recession is caused by increasing prices and changing consumer habits since the pandemic, which has led to lower demand for Atlantic carriers.

Construction costs for Fredericton’s performing arts centre is now estimated to be at $111.2M, due to rising labour and material costs. Underground work for the building has been completed and the entire project is expected to be completed in early 2027.

The majority of airport authorities have seen an increase in the number of travellers in the region. At the Stanfield and Moncton airports, the recovery rates are 95% and 98.1%, respectively. According to a specialist in the aviation industry, the reason it has taken so many years to return to normal is mainly due to the shortage of workers in the aviation sector.

The last nurse practitioner at the Noreen-Richard Health Centre, the only Francophone health clinic in Fredericton, left her position in January, and she will not be replaced until May. The two other positions, for a doctor and an additional nurse, remain vacant.

The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. Canada accounted for over 79% of all primary aluminum metal imported into the U.S. in 2024. The United Steelworkers union says it will hurt workers in Canada and the U.S.

New Brunswick’s minimum wage will increase from $15.30 per hour to $15.65 per hour on April 1, 2025. About 6% of New Brunswickers earned minimum wage in 2024, with 32% being between the ages of 15 and 19, and 56% of minimum wage earners worked part-time.

Staffing shortages and high demand for services in Fredericton has resulted in a new community engagement unit composed of six retired police officers. This will be a six-month pilot project, and participants will handle less urgent matters.

Kaleidoscope Social Impact (KSI) will receive up to $2.5M in federal funding to help with affordable housing projects across New Brunswick. KSI provide loans to developers towards acquiring property, building new units, or maintaining existing ones.

Two New Brunswick food-based businesses state that immigration cuts will hurt their production as locals don’t want their jobs. Over half of Mrs. Dunster's 275 employees are from abroad, while 82% of Fancy Pokket Bakery’s 75 staff are immigrants.

Nortera Foods Inc., a vegetable processor, reopened its warehouse in Strathroy with a $25M, 100,000-sq.-ft. expansion, creating about 10 jobs

Brant Food Centre (1983) Inc., re-opened its grocery store in Brantford

Canada Post eliminated nearly 50 managerial positions nationwide, with almost half of the cuts in Ottawa and additional impacts in Toronto

Tudor and Cashel Township, west of Kingston, opened a new Seniors Active Living Centre

Burlington Transit is hiring new bus drivers

Canadian Flight Academy will be opening a new facility at the Peterborough Regional Airport in 2025, creating 50 jobs

The London and Area Works Job Fair will take place on April 15 at the White Oaks Mall in London

Rohit Group of Companies has begun construction on The Horizons at Crystal Bay in Ottawa, a twin six-storey, 185-unit rental complex set for completion by 2027

Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan will be hiring approximately 4,000 seasonal positions by May

Oxford County Community Employment Services will be hosting an in-person career fair on March 27 in Woodstock

Conspiracy Theory Brewing Company in Ottawa has closed

Fanshawe College in London will be hosting an in-person career fair for students and alumni on March 5

Crumbl LLC, opened a cookie shop at the Upper Oakville Shopping Centre

The federal government is investing over $1.7M into ten outdoor tourism initiatives in Northern Ontario

The George Hamilton Restaurant & Brewery closed in Hamilton

The federal government is investing over $2.6M in seven economic development initiatives led by and in support of Indigenous communities and organizations

Lakeview Health and Wellness Inc. opened a clinic in Uxbridge

JobFairX is hosting a career fair on February 26 in Greater Sudbury for positions in health care

The Beer Store will close five locations in Toronto and one each in Kingston, Newmarket, and Ottawa by the end of February

Estée Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. plans to eliminate between 5,800 and 7,000 jobs globally. While the impact on Ontario remains uncertain, the company operates 10 locations across Toronto and Ottawa.

Zubis Market, a halal grocery store, opened in Guelph

JobFairX is hosting a career fair on February 28 in Thunder Bay for positions in technology

The Salvation Army Oshawa Thrift Store is closing this month

The provincial government is investing $529M to establish 27 Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs across the province, set to be operational by April

PepsiCo Canada will be hiring over 140 seasonal and full-time positions across Canada, including nine locations in Ontario, by the end of February

Mallette, an accounting firm, invested over $4M in moving to downtown Trois-Rivières. The firm expects to create 75 additional jobs in this city over the next five years.

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie-Est laid off 120 administrative employees and cut over 80 currently vacant positions

The Centre de la petite enfance le Mur-mûr in Fermont began expansion work, which will create 21 additional spots for children. The organization is looking to hire three more educators.

Recyclage Carbone Varennes, a plant that will produce biofuel and green hydrogen in Varennes, announced that the overall project will cost $1.49B. The project, which is receiving $600M in funding from Ottawa and Quebec, should be complete in early 2026.

Minnie’s Hope, a social pediatrics centre in Kuujjuarapik in Nord-du-Québec, moved its operations into a new building. The new $5M building received funding from private partners, among others. Around 16 people work there.

South Shore Furniture, a furniture manufacturer, laid off 97 people at its headquarters and plant, which are both in Sainte-Croix. This decision is the result of reduced orders in the context of the tariff threat from the United States.

The Centre Eaton, a shopping mall in downtown Montréal, will renovate its food court. The project is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2026.

The Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal is investing $137.5M in expanding the Fleury hospital. The project is scheduled to be complete in 2028.

Ludik Candy Designer, a candy distributor, is investing $8.5M in building a plant in Granby to centralize its operations there

The Société d’habitation Le Paillasson inaugurated the construction of 28 social housing units in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville. The $11.6M project is scheduled to begin in March and be complete in the spring of 2026.

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue cut 110 administrative jobs, including 80 currently vacant positions

The Ville de Gatineau and the Government of Quebec are investing $12.4M by 2027 in the region’s cultural life, which includes infrastructure work and the improvement of certain public services

The Sûreté du Québec is looking to fill 12 police officer positions in the Regional County Municipality of Collines-de-l’Outaouais

Rio Tinto, an aluminum smelter, will begin work to redevelop the land of a former bauxite residue storage site in Saguenay in the spring. The $80M project also includes adding a quarry and a new water pipe.

The Société québécoise du cannabis created 10 jobs in Bromont after opening a new open-concept dispensary on February 10

The Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu expects to begin the second phase of revitalizing its downtown. The $25.1M project is scheduled to take place from 2025 to 2027.

QSL International Ltd., a maritime operations company, received over $7.6M from the Government of Quebec to improve its infrastructure in Sorel-Tracy

The Musée régional de Rimouski will close indefinitely as of February 17. As a result, the museum will reduce the working hours of three employees and cut four jobs.

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) cut 169 jobs, including 141 vacant positions. This decision is a result of budgetary restrictions in the health care network.

The Centre de la petite enfance (CPE) Sous les étoiles invested over $1.6M in building the new Monts et Merveilles facility in Saint-Sébastien. The Government of Quebec contributed over $1.5M in funding to the project.

Dorel will close its mattress manufacturing plant in Montréal by the end of March

IGA Alimentation Coop, a cooperative model of supermarkets, inaugurated its newly renovated building in Port-Cartier, which has 80 employees. The $1.25M project took around two months to complete.

Fabrique Sainte-Agnès is investing over $1M in renovating a church with the same name in Lac-Mégantic. The project will be ongoing until mid-June.

The Municipalité de Piopolis is investing over $1.2M in constructing a new reception building at its municipal campground

Hydro-Québec, the Essipit Innu First Nation, and the Regional County Municipality of Fjord-du-Saguenay are planning to invest $3B in building a wind farm in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean. The project, which is scheduled to begin in 2030, will create 500 jobs.

Rio Tinto, an aluminum smelter, is investing $13.8M in conducting studies on the rehabilitation of a former bauxite residue storage site in Saguenay. The current site will reach its maximum capacity in around 2031, which could jeopardize the continuity of operations at the Vaudreuil plant in Jonquière.

A real estate developer is investing $3M in constructing a commercial building with eight housing units and Consignaction, a sorting centre for returnable containers. The project is scheduled to start in April and be complete by the end of the year.

SPI Health and Safety, a company specializing in products and services related to occupational safety, will close its distribution centre in Bonaventure. As a result, seven employees will lose their jobs.

The three levels of government are investing over $300M in carrying out 27 projects, which include 889 affordable rental units in Montréal. The projects will take place from this year until 2027 at the latest.

The Ville de Sherbrooke inaugurated the Hector-Olivier-Camirand fire station in the borough of Fleurimont following a $5.3M investment

South Shore Furniture, a furniture manufacturer, laid off 18 people at its plant in Coaticook due to reduced orders in the context of the tariff threat from the United States

Tremblay Parent Avocats & Avocates, a law firm in Saguenay, began renovations on the building that it will move into in the fall of 2025. Les Entreprises de Construction Gigari is carrying out the project, which is valued at over $1.5M.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is proposing to give Indigenous northerners first priority for government jobs. Initially, the government proposed to give priority to all Indigenous Canadians, regardless of which region they are from. This policy change comes at a time of record low Indigenous employment in the territorial government.

White Cliff Minerals Ltd. announced on January 28 that it has secured permits for its maiden drill program at the Rae Copper project in Nunavut. The company expects to begin its first drilling at the site in March.

The Government of Canada is providing $6M to the Government of Nunavut for engineering and design work on Phase III of a new water power plant in Iqaluit. The new plant will replace the city’s diesel generated electricity. The project is expected to create jobs, reduce emissions and strengthen energy independence in the territory. The project could be operational as early as 2033.

Hot?ì ts’eeda has announced it is offering grants worth between $1K and $15K for community initiatives and research that address local health and wellness needs in the Northwest Territories. Eligible projects must be based in the territory, consider Indigenous health and wellness, and be aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

The Town of Hay River is accepting applications for its new $2M Residential Developments Grants Program. The program will help encourage the construction of new homes and residential units. The program provides grants up to $35K for housing projects and are available to property owners and developers.

The federal and Northwest Territories governments have committed $5.3M over five years to support personal support workers in the territory. This includes $3.2M allocated to Aurora College to expand its personal support worker certification program. The funding will go towards hiring educators to provide the training and improving the school’s educational programs.

Electric vehicle chargers have been installed in Behchoko and Fort Smith as part of the Government of Northwest Territories’ 2030 energy strategy. The strategy aims to create a zero-emission vehicle corridor from Yellowknife to the Alberta border. The government hopes that this infrastructure will support the adoption of electric vehicles and promote energy affordability.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced an investment of over $14M to support the construction of high-speed fibre Internet infrastructure in northern communities, including Jade City and Good Hope Lake in BC, as well as Upper Liard in the Yukon. The new infrastructure is expected to benefit local businesses by providing new digital opportunities and improve access to health care and education in these regions.

The Government of Canada, Government of Saskatchewan and industry partners are providing $7.2M to support livestock and forage-related research. The Agriculture Development Fund will support 30 livestock and forage-related research projects in 2025. Projects include research on pathogens and manufacturing vaccines, fire herbicide applications, and trace-mineral supplementation.

Nutrien, the world's largest potash producer, is providing $15M to the University of Saskatchewan. The funding will help establish the Nutrien Centre for Sustainable and Digital Agriculture, support agriculture and bioresources research and education, and strengthen Indigenous and community engagement.

The City of Saskatoon will be constructing a new compost facility. Estimated to cost $22.1M, construction will begin sometime this year with completion expected in 2026.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the Assiniboine Valley Health and Wellness Foundation recently signed a 15-year agreement for SHA to operate and staff the Assiniboine Valley Health Centre in Kamsack. Additional staff have already been hired with more services to come. The SHA also announced that seven new doctor positions were approved for the Kamsack Hospital.

The Town of Lanigan is approving a new 90-space daycare centre operated by the Lanigan Daycare Cooperative. The $3M project will undergo demolition work to prepare the site in April, with construction beginning in June and opening scheduled a year later.

The Government of Canada is providing $1M to develop an Energy Innovation Hub in Saskatchewan. The hub aims to enhance sustainability in the energy sector by encouraging collaborative research, conducting research and development, providing technical services, and providing education and training opportunities.

The EHN Willowview Recovery Centre, a new addictions treatment centre near Lumsden, recently opened and began intake for 20 patients on January 21. The facility is Saskatchewan’s largest addictions treatment centre, accommodating up to 60 patients once fully operational.

The Water Security Agency (WSA) launched an Agricultural Water Stewardship Policy, providing $1M over three years towards research and monitoring. The policy aims to protect wetlands, regulate how many wetlands can be drained for agriculture, and fund projects that protect water quality and wetland habitat.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $3.8M to 16 agencies under the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. The funding will be allotted over two years to support early intervention programs, develop response tools, and build transition homes and second stage housing facilities.

The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) is launching a new Indigenous Action Plan to promote Indigenous engagement within SRC and communities across the province. The plan will feature two employment-focused programs aimed at recruiting and hiring more Indigenous Peoples by partnering with Indigenous educational institutions and training centres.

Innovation Saskatchewan is investing over $166K in two applied research projects at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The projects will focus on improving cannabis crop breeding programs and developing geospatial and remote sensing tools used in land-based activities like mining and energy.

The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission is investing $6.5M to establish a wheat development chair position at the University of Saskatchewan. The chair will expand current crop breeding programs by applying genomic techniques to increase wheat and cereal crop resiliency.

The Esterhazy Economic Development Committee is hosting a business succession readiness workshop on February 12. Open to all business owners, the workshop will cover topics focused on building businesses, risk management, and transition options.

The federal and provincial governments are spending more than $79M into the Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill. The funding will go towards restoring the rail line and replacing old port infrastructure in an effort to diversify Canadian trading markets.

A new program designed to assist seniors with grocery store trips recently launched in Winnipeg. The Food Access Bus, a chartered Winnipeg Transit bus, offers free rides to seniors who have transportation challenges or mobility issues.

Winnipeg Transit will be replacing most of their bus routes at the end of June 2025. The new transit system will feature a grid-like map with main lines running through high-frequency areas and feeder routes branching out into residential and industrial neighbourhoods.

The Government of Manitoba is spending $11.3M to upgrade the province’s winter road system, an increase of $1.8M from 2023. The funding will go towards constructing a temporary route from St. Theresa Point to Berens River, reducing travel time and allowing the delivery of essential goods such as fuel, building materials, and food supplies.

The City of Winnipeg has amended the zoning by-laws to allow residential development on select malls and corridor sites. The amendments are in support of the Housing Accelerator Fund and will help fast-track housing construction within the city.

The Government of Manitoba is spending $86,000 to support 19 small and medium-sized companies in expanding and diversifying their export markets. The funding is in response to potential U.S. tariffs and will be awarded to those within the agriculture, manufacturing, education, and bio-environmental industries.

Simon Fraser University has received $2.5M from the Government of Canada to launch PeraGo, a new program to support deeptech companies in their early growth stages. The program will be operated by SFU VentureLabs which will receive the funds over the next three years.

The Government of British Columbia has provided Atco Wood Products, a forest-sector manufacturer in Fruitvale, with $50K to complete planning for a new veneer-production facility and purchase new equipment. These funds come through the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund with the goal of creating jobs, boosting local economies and diversifying the range of fibre sources used by the industry.

The Government of British Columbia has created a new $5M Tree Fruit Climate Resiliency program to support tree-fruit growers in case of extreme weather. The fund will help cover things like protective covers, heaters, sprinklers and shade protection. The program is also open to applications for innovative projects that boost the industry’s resiliency.

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have partnered with the Village of Tahsis to provide a total of $2.8M to support flood protection infrastructure. The project will include the construction of two flood walls and an earth berm.

The Government of British Columbia has provided $150K to the Village of Lumby for industrial area dike planning. The project will help the community be more prepared for floods.

Canagold Resources Ltd. has announced that it has received approval from the Government of British Columbia to advance to the next phase of the Environmental Assessment process for its New Polaris gold mine project near Atlin. Canagold expects to make the final decision on whether to develop the mine by early 2026.

The Government of British Columbia is providing the City of Merritt with nearly $5M to support the municipality’s flood mitigation plan. Most of the funds will go towards the construction of an overland water pump station. The money comes from the $19M Community Emergency Preparedness Fund that supports impacted communities across the province.

Gastronomy, a Vancouver restaurant, recently confirmed it had shut down on December 19. The restaurant said that expensive rent and labour costs forced the business to close.

The City of Burnaby has decided to cancel its plans to expand the Confederation Park Community Centre due to a lack of funds and changes to legislation. The project was set to begin in fall 2024.

BC Hydro has begun seismic upgrades at Ladore Dam near Campbell River. These upgrades are expected to cost up to $379M and will ensure that the dam will continue to hold water in the event of an earthquake or flood. The work is expected to create 70 jobs every year until the project is completed in 2029.

Chicha San Chen, a bubble tea shop, is opening its first Vancouver location on February 1.

Mangrove Lithium has raised over $50.6M for the construction of a lithium refining plant in Delta, British Columbia. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

The Government of British Columbia has announced over $19M to support stronger climate adaptation across 39 communities. The funds will support 46 projects that help communities plan for and reduce the impacts of future climate disasters.

O'Rourke Family Estate, a Lake Country winery, is hiring for a variety of full-time, part-time and seasonal positions. The available positions include staff for the restaurant, event and housekeeping teams.

Metlakatla Development Corporation (MDC) and the Prince Rupert Port have received a $60M loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to develop South Kaien Import Logistics Park. The project would be the first Indigenous-led port logistics facility in British Columbia. The funding will be used for site preparation work for the 56-acre project which is expected to take two years.

Miru, a Vancouver-based technology company, has received a US$5M investment from Stifel Bank to accelerate the development of their electrochromic window technology. Miru has five demonstration plants in design or development across North America and Europe.

Boomi, a United States-based technology company, has opened a new office in Vancouver. Boomi first expanded to Vancouver in 2023 and has hired nearly 200 new employees for the new location so far. The company has plans to hire more staff for this office over the year.

The City of Vancouver has approved three tower projects for the Broadway Plan area. The three towers will have nearly 500 total rental housing units.

Netflix is preparing to open Netflix Animation Studios Vancouver in Mount Pleasant. Netflix is currently accepting expressions of interest for future roles at the studio.

The District of Lake Country has received $150K in grant funding from the Government of British Columbia for climate adaptation. The funds will be used to conduct a risk assessment and enhance the community’s resilience to extreme weather.

The Strathcona Regional District is spending $350K on climate and disaster reduction projects in the region. The funding comes from the Government of British Columbia’s Disaster Risk Reduction / Climate Adaptation grant. Projects include tsunami education, flood mitigation and wetland restoration.

According to a report from the Canadian Tree Nursery Association, more than half of Canada’s tree seedlings are grown in British Columbia. The industry is expected to grow following a sharp increase in wildfire activity across Canada. The association estimates it will take 5.3B seedlings to plant only 15% of Canadian forests burned by wildfire in 2023 and 2024, which would create nearly 31K jobs.

Stillwater Consulting and Lil'wat Forestry Ventures have partnered to deliver two fully funded, six-week training programs on wildfire and community resilience. The program hopes to train 24 students every year for three years. The program also includes additional certifications to ensure students are employable outside of the fire season, such as silviculture and tree planting skills.

The Government of Canada has announced over $17M in funding for businesses in British Columbia through PacifiCan’s Business Acceleration Pilot project. The funds will go to 10 organizations in sectors such as life sciences, clean technology and construction. The funds are expected to enhance businesses’ access to international markets and create over 2500 jobs.

Five Roads Brewing has announced it is closing its taproom location in Richmond on January 31. The company said that the closure was due to economic conditions facing British Columbia’s restaurants and breweries.

Several large companies and government organizations are hiring in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. Job openings include positions at Air Canada, Science World and the Vancouver Police Department among many others. Most of the positions are located in Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond.

A new multi-port charging site has opened in Colwood. The high-speed charging hub is the first for the region and is part of BC Hydro’s larger electric vehicle plans across the province.

The City of Grande Prairie launched new initiatives to attract more family doctors. The Family Physician Attraction Incentive Program was launched on January 15, and an ambassador program is now available to provide doctors with resources as they relocate to Grande Prairie.

Tuktu Resources Ltd. has expanded its land holdings in southern Alberta’s deep basin, adding about 27.75 gross sections. The company has also begun drilling its first horizontal well in a newly discovered reservoir, with this project expected to be complete within a month.

The Alberta Medical Association says a shortage of obstetricians-gynecologists in the province could lead to worsening pregnancy outcomes in both rural and urban areas. The Government of Alberta says the number of OB/GYNs rose from 249 in 2023 to 267 in 2024 and that it is taking steps to ensure this growth continues.

The City of Calgary is partnering with local non-profits to offer daytime shelter spaces for people experiencing homelessness. The new day spaces will provide meals, showers, warming areas, and access to housing resources and other supports. The coalition, which includes 20 organizations, hope to have the new spaces running by July 2025.

Walmart Canada is spending $6.5B over the next five years to expand its supply chain and open new stores, including three in Alberta. Locations in Edmonton, Calgary, and Fort McMurray are scheduled to open by 2027.

The Jasper Municipal Council is considering a pop-up business village in one of the community’s parking lots. This space would allow businesses displaced by last year’s wildfire to operate again. Interested businesses include restaurants, retail shops, and tourism operators.

Red Deer Public Schools is partnering with Red Deer Emergency Services to offer a fire academy for high school students. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, students in grades 11 and 12 who enrol will receive hands-on firefighting training as well as credit toward their high school diploma. Space is available for 20 students each year.

The Government of Alberta is providing a $3.8M grant to Alberta Geological Survey to complete a 3-year study mapping the quality, quantity, and locations of Alberta’s groundwater, which is becoming more important as demand for water increases in the province.

Calgary home sales fell by 12% in January compared to the same period in 2024 but are still above average for this time of year, according to the Calgary Real Estate Board. Calgary's housing inventory is expected to increase in 2025 after three years of limited supply.

The Government of Canada is providing $5M over five years to Trade Winds to Success Training Society, an Alberta-based non-profit that offers training to Indigenous workers hoping to join the skilled trades. The funding will enable training for 290 people to help address labour shortages in the construction industry, where 263,400 workers are expected to retire by 2033.

Calgary City Council has voted to proceed with its $6.2B Green Line LRT project following months of uncertainty. While the details of the project’s downtown route are still being discussed, the city plans to begin construction on the southeast portion of the line later this year.

The Government of Alberta is spending $53M to create new child care spaces across the province. The funding will be allocated through grants to non-profit and public child-care providers who wish to build new facilities or expand existing ones. The government has set a goal of 42,500 new child care spaces by March 2026.

The City of Calgary has posted over a hundred positions for summer students in a variety of areas. These include communications, urban forestry, law, trails inventory, and information management.

AltaLink is planning a 17km transmission line that will connect Acciona Energy Canada Global Inc.’s proposed Lone Butte Solar Project to the electrical grid. The Lone Butte project is described as a 450-megawatt solar farm on approximately 2,000 acres of land near Torrington. Stakeholder consultations regarding the transmission line are to be completed prior to the proposed construction start date of January 2027.

The Government of Canada is providing $13.4M to support several projects that aim to improve the efficiency and affordability of carbon capture technologiesk and create jobs. Funding recipients include InnoTech Alberta Inc., Ionada Canada, the University of Calgary, and the University of Alberta.

Parks Canada is securing 100 duplex trailers for temporary housing in Jasper. The trailers will be available to residents as the community rebuilds following last summer’s wildfire. The units are expected to be ready for occupancy February 26.

Air Canada and WestJet will be adding more domestic flights from Fort McMurray in 2025. WestJet’s new flights are to Edmonton and Calgary, and Air Canada’s are to Calgary and Toronto. The Fort McMurray Airport Authority hopes to increase passenger volumes to 362,000 in 2025, up from the 350,000 recorded in 2024.

A new eatery called Nero will soon be opening in Edmonton’s Molson Brewery Building. The team behind the new venture currently runs two other Edmonton restaurants: Italian eateries Bianco and Rosso Pizzeria.

The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture has launched a new five-year plan for farmers to prepare and adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gases. The plan includes sharing ideas and resources to address issues such as soil health and sustainability.

P.E.I. tourism broke records in 2024, with more than 1.7M visitors to the Island and an estimated $520.7M spent while on P.E.I. Traffic at the Confederation Bridge and the Charlottetown Airport also had record highs in 2024, as did cruise ship traffic.

NuVista Psychedelic Medicine has opened a new ketamine clinic in Stratford, which offers an alternate treatment for people with mental health conditions. Psychiatrists review patient’s mental health history to determine if they are a good candidate or not.

Unions representing healthcare workers in P.E.I. dread the momentum towards the privatization of the public healthcare system following a statement from the president and chief executive officer of the provincial health authority. The statement specified that healthcare decisions should benefit patients and staff, whether the care comes from a public or private provider.

Each oyster fishing area in P.E.I. officially has traces of MSX, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The agency put out an official statement on February 7. This announcement does not mean that all oysters are infected. However, the sampling done by the CFIA since the disease was first detected last summer indicates that there are infected oysters in every area of the province.

The Island has pulled American liquor from P.E.I. liquor stores in response to the threat of U.S. tariffs. The province has stressed the importance of buying local, supporting Island suppliers, protecting jobs, and remaining competitive.

While Charlottetown saw $250M in new developments in the past year and Summerside exceeded $100M in building permits, affordability remains a challenge. Work is underway to not only increase supply but add more social and subsidized housing as well.

Global demand is a key driver of where the cyclical mining industry invests its time and money and could limit the provincial government’s ability to attract more critical mineral development. Mining company executives suggest that three things have to align when considering new mining projects: global demand, attractive geology, and a favourable political environment.

The Government of Canada has announced an additional $2M in funding for Maggie's Place Family Resource Centre. Provincial funding of $1.5M was also announced for the N.S. Hospice Palliative Care Association.

The Government of Canada invests has announced up to $25M in funding for the Halifax Port Authority to bolster both environmental sustainability and supply chain efficiency.

The Government of Canada has announced $3,551,945 for 2024-25 for 13 Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) in Nova Scotia to enable them to offer essential financial assistance, specialized training, expert guidance, and customized local initiatives to support rural businesses, organizations, and communities.

New Business Openings/Coming Soon: Cahier, Borsch House, Tiger’s Hand Pulled Noodles (all in Halifax), Best Kind Mud Shop, Plato’s Closet, Nova Furniture Mall (all in Dartmouth), Coco & Riley’s Candy Store (Eastern Passage); Closures: Candy Depot (Dartmouth Crossing), Rumi Coffee (Halifax), and Sudz in the City (Dartmouth).

New Dawn Enterprises, a non-profit community organization, has received $1.35M in funding to create up to 49 additional childcare spaces in its Glace Bay Youth and Family Centre. New Dawn offers programs and services that focus on supporting low-income youth and families in Cape Breton.

Bedford-based Doucet Developments has reversed its plan to build a hotel on the Sydney waterfront and now plans to build retail space at the boardwalk and street levels, with a parking garage and a 138 residential 6-story unit. The company expects construction to start later in 2025.

Enrolment is up at St. Francis Xavier's 2-year nursing program from 31 last year to 48 in January 2025. The N.S. Nurses' Union suggests that the solution to the shortage lies in increasing seats in multiple programs around the province, recruiting international and out-of-province nurses, and improving young nurse retention.

The N.S. Government has announced $330k to the the Beef Abattoir and Processing Assistance aimed at increasing productivity in the sector. In 2023, beef generated more than $42M at the farm gate with over 380 licensed beef producers in N.S., 11 provincially inspected beef abattoirs and 86 licensed meat processing facilities.

The Government of Canada has announced $972k for 7 projects in Corner Brook to help organizations upgrade equipment and infrastructure and explore future opportunities. These include College of the North Atlantic ($315k), Camber Arts ($295k), City of Corner Brook ($136.5k), N.L. Federation of Agriculture ($116k), Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation ($59k), and Qalipu Development Corp. ($50k).

World Energy GH2 is pivoting from its planned wind-powered green hydrogen and ammonia plant (Stephenville) to a new shorter-term focus on data centres and e-fuel production. The company recently acknowledged that it was having difficulty finding markets for green hydrogen and ammonia, which are not maturing at the rate initially expected.

The N.L. Government is redirecting $5.75M over the next 2 years to help the province's fishing industry explore diversified markets in Europe and Asia as threats of tariffs from the United States loom. The U.S. is a dominant buyer of N.L. snow crab accounting for about 90% of the total snow crab harvested in the province.

The Government of Canada has announced $1M in funding for Atlas Salt Inc. (St. George’s), to support the company’s Great Atlantic Salt Project. Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with production in 2029. The project is expected to have up to 300 full-time construction jobs and 170 permanent positions during operations.

The new hospital in Corner Brook, which opened eight months ago, is still not able to provide radiation therapy to cancer patients due to a lack of staff. According to the clinical chief of the provincial cancer care program, there are still two vacancies for radiation oncologists, two vacancies for radiotherapy positions, and a vacancy for a medical physicist and dosimetrist.

The Government of Canada has partially reversed course on its decision to cut economic immigration numbers in N.L. and has offered to increase spaces by an additional 1,000 spaces, for a total of 2,525 newcomer spots per year, though still less than the previous 3,050 spaces. N.L. has agreed to also take in 290 humanitarian migrants over the next 2 years.

Port Saint John in N.B. will have a massive cold storage facility as of next year. Construction on the warehouse, which is over 17,000 square metres (about 190,000 square feet), is due to start this spring, according to the port authority. The warehouse will have 22,000 pallet positions to store food products before they are loaded onto container ships.

The Gulf of St. Lawrence snow crab quota should be around 15,000 metric tonnes, according to recommendations made by scientists at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This quota represents a reduction of approximately 7,000 tonnes compared to 2024. According to the president of the Association des Crabiers Acadiens, there would be 80,000 to 90,000 fewer pounds of crab for each fishery this spring.

After more than 30 years in business in the Saint John City Market, Billy’s Seafood Company announced that the business is no longer viable and will shut down. The owner cited loss of patio revenues, renovations and the pandemic as contributing factors.

The N.B. government has stated that it will not sign any new U.S. contracts over the next 30 days and will look to deal more with Canadian businesses. The Atlantic provinces are working together to find new markets for export items like seafood and lumber.

N.B.’s Immigration Minister says that federal immigration cuts will impact restaurants and food processors in the coming years, especially in rural and older communities. The province has mainly allocated spots to the health, education and trade sectors.

Moosehead Breweries would like to see interprovincial trade barriers reduced as the threat of U.S. tariffs loom. A CFIB report ranked N.B. last for having the most stringent rules on importing alcohol. Moosehead exports about 20% of its beer to the U.S.

A private addictions rehab centre has been approved to operate on Darlings Island. The centre could treat up to eight patients as early as May or June. Recruitment is underway for an addiction counsellor, a social worker, a cook and a nutritionist.

The provincial government is investing over $2.5M into seven economic development projects and 15 internships in the Kenora region

The provincial government is investing $100M to support skills training for workers in manufacturing, construction, critical mineral extraction, and other skilled trades

The provincial government is investing over $6.5M for 25 economic development projects in the Timiskaming-Cochrane region

The Town of Kingsville will receive over $7.4M in infrastructure funding from the provincial government

The Acoustic Room, a musical instrument store in Hamilton, will close at the end of March

Wabi Iron & Steel Corp. has received over $3.2M from the federal government to support growth and innovation at its New Liskeard foundry in Northern Ontario, creating 43 new jobs

The federal government has invested $960K to support jobs, businesses, and economic development in Greater Sudbury

Melrose Paving Co. Ltd. has begun site preparations for the Stevenson Memorial Hospital redevelopment in Alliston, with nearly $14.5M from the provincial government. Site preparation is expected to be completed by November 2025.

The County of Wellington is investing $22.2M, including $4.2M from the federal government, to replace four bridges, with completion expected by 2027

Pür & Simple IP Inc., opened a new breakfast restaurant at Bayview Village in Toronto

The City of Windsor has received nearly $19M from the provincial government to support local infrastructure

Ingenia Polymers Corp. has completed the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Brantford, creating 10 new jobs

Portage Ontario has closed its youth rehabilitation centre north of Elora, resulting in 25 job losses

Walmart Canada will open a distribution centre in Vaughan by Spring 2025

The provincial government is investing up to $75.5M to increase emergency shelter spaces and affordable housing units in communities throughout the province

The Ville de Chambly began demolishing its fire station, which will be replaced by a new building. The Government of Quebec contributed over $7.8M to the overall project, which should be complete by the end of 2026.

The Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de Laval will cut nearly 150 jobs within its various facilities. This decision stems from budget restrictions in the healthcare network.

The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue is organizing a job, internship, and networking fair at its Rouyn-Noranda campus on February 26, 2025

Oceania, an indoor water park in Chambly, expects to open on March 31, 2025. The business is looking to hire part- and full-time employees. Ultimately, the $41M facility could hire up to 125 people.

The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) opened a dispensary in Sainte-Julie, which is the first open-concept location. The dispensary will create around 10 jobs.

Habitation Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard, a retirement residence, announced the construction of a building with 31 social and affordable housing units in the municipality of the same name. The three levels of government and partners contributed to this $16.7M project.

The Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) cut 134 jobs, including 102 vacant positions. This decision stems from budget restrictions in the healthcare network.

Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium laid off around 30 executives at its plant in Sorel-Tracy

Gestion Courose, a property manager, is investing over $340M in building The MileBrook in Montréal’s Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough. Over 800 rental condos will be available, including 355 as of this year.

Pizza Salvatoré, a fast-food chain, will open a new restaurant in Bois-des-Filion at the end of April 2025. The new location is made possible thanks to an investment of over half a million dollars.

The Festival Western de Saint-Tite, a non-profit organization, inaugurated La Ganterie community centre in Saint-Tite. The project received $3.1M in subsidies from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

The Centre de la petite enfance Les Jolis Minois opened a new facility with 70 spots in Terrebonne last December

Columbus Café & Co, a coffee shop chain, officially opened a new location in Mont-Tremblant

The Ville de Brossard is investing just under $10M in rehabilitating the storm drainage, water supply, and sewer systems on Malo Street. The Government of Quebec may contribute financially to the project, which will begin in May and be complete in November.

Écosite de La Matapédia, a non-profit organization, inaugurated its new ecocentre in Amqui following a $2.5M investment. The Government of Quebec and the Regional County Municipality of La Matapédia partnered on the project.

Dumont Nickel, a company that mines ore for the battery industry at its mine in Launay, will establish its headquarters in Amos. To date, the overall project has required a $2.5B investment. Ultimately, the project will create 570 jobs.

Montréal-based subcontractors specializing in logistics and transportation, Opti-Prime Transport, ML II Transport, Distribution FLXP NK, and CNKT Logistiques, laid off 574 employees following Amazon’s announcement that it will leave the province

Subcontractors specializing in logistics and transportation laid off 1,459 employees in the regions of Montréal, Laval, Montérégie, and Outaouais. This decision follows Amazon’s announcement that it will close its seven sites in the province.

Advanced Energy Minerals Canada, a high-purity alumina manufacturer, invested over $27M in purchasing a kiln for its plant in Cap-Chat. The company, which has 90 employees in Gaspésie and Montréal, hopes to hire around 30 additional staff by next year.

Laval-based subcontractors specializing in logistics and transportation, Alliance T&S, Route 961, E-Mile Logistique, and 9449-8938 Québec inc., laid off 507 employees following Amazon’s announcement that it will leave the province

The Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs will close its office in Matagami in January 2026

Cora, a chain breakfast restaurant, closed its location on King Street West in Sherbrooke

The Municipalité d’Havre-Saint-Pierre is investing just under $3.6M in renovating its arena. The Société du Plan Nord is investing nearly $1.2M, and the Government of Quebec is contributing just over $367,000.

The Caisse Desjardins de la Rive-Nord du Saguenay will close its service centres in Saint-Ambroise and Saint-Honoré and the ATM in Saint-David-de-Falardeau on March 5. The credit union will reassign around 15 employees following this decision.

The Maison des aînés et alternative de Longueuil was inaugurated on January 24. The government invested $59M in the home, which can accommodate 72 people.

The Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de la Capitale-Nationale is cutting 258 jobs within its network, including 76 jobs that are filled. The affected staff will be able to apply to 1,400 vacant positions within the CIUSSS between January 29 and February 11.

The Ville de Chambly received nearly $5.8M from the Government of Quebec to build a fire station

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de la Chaudière-Appalaches is cutting 122 jobs within its network. The CISSS will be looking to reassign employees to over 300 vacant positions.

The Musée de la civilisation in Québec cut 17 jobs due to budgetary restrictions. These include curator, information officer, digital project manager, exhibition project manager, and assistant director positions, among others.

Merinov, an integrated industrial research centre, received $2M from Canada Economic Development to build its fishing innovation hub in Grande-Rivière. The project, valued at over $31M, is funded by various partners and is expected to be complete in May 2025.

The Niobec Mine, a niobium mineral producer in Saint-Honoré, laid off around 15 employees due to the possibility of American tariffs being imposed on Canadian products

Hébergement Puamun, an inn, officially opened on January 18 in the municipality of Aguanish

The Ville de Thetford Mines is investing $7M in building an outdoor aquatic centre in Notre-Dame park. The construction project is scheduled to begin this year, and it should be complete in 2026.

The federal and Yukon governments are jointly contributing $558,800 over three years for Yukon Venture Angels to support small and medium-sized businesses through an investor ecosystem project. Yukon Venture Angels plans to develop a strategic plan, offer founder training, and build capacity to manage private investments. The federal government aims to help create jobs by supporting investment opportunities in the Yukon.

Aurora College is closing all 19 of its community learning centres in the Northwest Territories by the end of June this year. The college cited low enrolment and high operating costs as reasons for the closures. The Union of Northern Workers stated that approximately 47 unionized employees could be affected. The union has filed a grievance with the Northwest Territories government, stating that it did not receive three months' notice of the layoffs.

The Yukon and federal governments rejected the proposal for a placer mine at Stony Creek, following the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board’s recommendation due to concern for water quality and chinook salmon population health. Hundreds of people rely on Stony Creek for drinking water. The project would have included a mining camp for 12 people.

The number of Justices of the Peace, judicial officers who issue warrants, has decreased in Nunavut by 40% since 2016, from 51 in 2016 to 31 currently. In 2016, there were 22 Nunavut communities with a Justice of the Peace; that number is now down to 17. Nunavut’s new chief justice aims to prioritize recruitment and training across the territory.

The Yukon government approved $70.2M in supplementary spending through a special warrant. Of this funding, $51.8M will be allocated to the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources for operations, including loan payments to Victoria Gold’s receiver. Of the remainder, $10M will be allocated to the Department of Community Services for land development work, and $8.4M to the Department of Highways and Public Works for operations and maintenance.

The federal government is providing $1.2M for four projects aimed at supporting women in the Northwest Territories. This includes $200,000 each for the NWT Disabilities Council and the NWT Seniors' Society, and $400,000 each for the Status of Women Council of the NWT and the Native Women's Association of the NWT. The funding will be used to develop culturally relevant, inclusive, and accessible services.

The Dél??n? Got'??n? Government is exploring the feasibility of a small-scale hydro turbine power project on the Great Bear River, NWT, to provide energy for the community of 650 residents and reduce reliance on diesel. If approved by the Sahtu Land and Water Board, the Dél??n? Got'??n? Government will hire a contractor to conduct both a feasibility study and an engineering study.

The federal and Northwest Territories governments are contributing $7.7M and $2.5M, respectively, for a combined total of $10.3M over five years toward wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts in the Northwest Territories. The specific allocation of these funds has not yet been finalized, though some will be used to hire additional Firesmart staff to help develop regional Firesmart communities.

Construction for Sanirajak’s new $11M daycare facility is slated to open in January 2026 but may be delayed due to a lack of housing for construction workers. Pile installation, planned to start in fall 2024, has already been delayed. The daycare is expected to accommodate up to 44 children and create dozens of jobs. When the previous daycare closed, many parents stopped working due to a lack of childcare.

 Innovation Saskatchewan (IS) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on research in science, technology and innovation for life sciences, climate change and clean energy. In light of the agreement, IS is providing University of Saskatchewan with $60,000 for a pilot project on how to make good use of the results of this collaboration.

 According to the Government of Saskatchewan, the province's value-added agriculture sector is expected to meet $10B in revenue by 2030. The sector has seen increasing growth from $3.5B in 2012 to $7.5B at the end of 2023. The sector consists of over 300 agricultural products processing companies employing over 6,000 people.

According to the RCMP, Mounties in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been facing staffing shortages due to persistent staff vacancies. Temporary relocations of police officers to Saskatchewan and Manitoba from other areas are required to help relieve staff. In November, 2024 the vacancy rate for the RCMP in Saskatchewan was approximately 13%.

 According to Discover Saskatoon, tourism spending in the city was approximately $787M in 2024, a 7% increase compared to 2023. Also, international travel spending in Saskatoon was up 18% year over year. The organization is optimistic that tourism spending will surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2025.

 According to Statistics Canada, retail trade sales reached $2.2B in Saskatchewan in November 2024, ranking second nationally for year-over-year retail trade growth. The province saw a 5.1% increase (seasonally adjusted) from November 2023 to November 2024.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a Norwegian-based company, is providing the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) with $24M to develop a vaccine to protect against strains of coronavirus.

 Canadian retailer Peavey Mart announced that it is closing all 90 of its stores nationwide. Peavey Mart carried agricultural supplies, hardware, and home improvement products, and had a significant presence in rural and small-town communities. The closure is due to overwhelming financial challenges caused by the changing retail landscape.

Two 7-Eleven stores in Winnipeg recently closed and were boarded up on January 24. While the exact reasons for the closures are unclear, 7-Eleven’s parent company, Seven & I Holdings, had previously raised concerns about employee safety and rising crime with Winnipeg’s city council, as well as plans to close underperforming stores. Despite these closures, Seven & I Holdings plans to expand by opening 500 new stores in the U.S. and Canada in 2027.

Peavey Industries, owner of Peavey Mart, announced it is closing all 90 stores across Canada, including six in Manitoba, after receiving creditor protection on January 27. There are two stores in Winnipeg, and one in Steinbach, Winkler, Brandon and Swan River.

The RCMP is requesting officers from other provinces to temporarily work in Manitoba from February to May 2025 to help address staffing shortages. The RCMP are also planning to post newly graduated cadets to Manitoba to support staffing needs. The shortage is compounded by a high number of investigations, including 58 homicides in Manitoba, leading to burnout among officers.

The Manitoba government is providing $1M for critical repairs at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium in Brandon. The auditorium provides a hub for arts, hosting ballets, performances, theatre productions, cultural events and festivals.

The federal government is not renewing the contracts for 800 Public Health Agency of Canada employees across Canada, including 245 workers at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. Contracts with temporary workers will not be renewed as funding for COVID-19 response ends. However, some long-term employees are also losing their positions according to the Union of Health and Environment Workers.