Labour Market News

The Ville de Sorel-Tracy announced the construction of its aquatic complex, which will begin in early 2025. The project, valued at nearly $44M, is receiving $26M in funding from the federal and provincial governments. The project should be complete in 2027.

Habitations Populaires du Québec and Accès Logement Mauricie will build Les Résidences Ste-Madeleine, which will include 60 affordable units in Trois-Rivières. The three levels of government are funding the project valued at over $20M. The project is scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2025.

Mono Serra Group Scierie, formerly known as Bois Francs Bio Serra, inaugurated its new production facilities in Sainte-Monique. The $25M investment includes $10.5M in funding from the provincial government.

The Centre d’emploi agricole Centre-du-Québec is launching a free 45 to 60-hour training program for women who want to become farm workers. The centre is seeking ten candidates for the project, which will end in March 2026.

The Ville de Baie-D’Urfé completed renovations to its town hall following a $6.7M investment. The provincial government contributed financially to the project.

Kina8at, a non-profit Indigenous organization, began construction on its cultural centre for visitors in La Conception. The project, valued at over $11M, includes $6.25M that is being funded by the federal and provincial governments. The centre will be inaugurated in 2027.

Habitations Logis-vie, a non-profit organization, announced the construction of 10 affordable and specially adapted housing units for people with intellectual disabilities in Trois-Rivières. The project, valued at over $4.9M, is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2025.

Hulix Construction is a general contractor specializing in the commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors. The company is investing around $7M in relocating its Laval headquarters not far from its current location.

Han-Logement, a non-profit charity, will construct 6 buildings with 48 affordable and specially adapted housing units for people with disabilities in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. The $14.4M project is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2026.

The Coopérative de Gallix will include a gas station and food products, among other things. The building will serve this area of Sept-Îles and is expected to open in January 2025. The project, valued at around $2M, will create five jobs.

Nano One Materials, a company specializing in lithium-ion batteries, received $18M from the Government of Quebec to convert its Candiac facilities into a pilot plant that will be more automated and less polluting

Arc-en-Soi, a community mental health support organization, began construction on 28 social and affordable housing units for its clients in Rivière-Rouge. The project, valued at around $14M, is receiving funding from the three levels of government.

Gérer son quartier, a property management organization, is receiving $11.4M from the Ville de Montréal and the Government of Canada to renovate 726 affordable housing units in Habitations Le Domaine in the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

The Municipalité de Saint-Athanase is receiving nearly $4M from the Government of Quebec to build its new community centre. The funding is allocated through the Programme d’amélioration et de construction d’infrastructures municipales. The project is scheduled to be complete in July 2025.

Investissement Jobinard, a real estate developer, began a 12-unit construction project in the Moissons ecodistrict in Baie-Saint-Paul. The first units of this $3M project will be delivered in April and June 2025.

Aramis Biotechnologies, a pharmaceutical company in Québec, received $40M from the Government of Canada to resume operations of the former Medicago company

The Salon de l’emploi montarvillois will take place in March 2025 at the Centre Marcel-Dulude in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville

The Government of Canada is investing $27M in fishing harbours in Kegaska, Natashquan, and Baie-Trinité. This investment will help the federal government modernize the facilities and facilitate seafood landings.

The Office d’habitation de Longueuil is moving forward with the second phase of the AccèsLogis Saint-Roch project, which is valued at $14M. The municipality contributed to the project by covering the land decontamination cost, valued at $826,000.

The Noranda Hotel & Spa, a hotel in Rouyn-Noranda, officially opened its new thermal circuit. The amenities were built at a cost of $5.5M, which includes $1.7M in funding from the Government of Quebec.

Vertiberry, a Belgian company specializing in strawberry production, is investing $3M in moving into the former Bois de parquets Vaucluse plant in L’Assomption. The project will create around 10 jobs.

Massif du Sud, a ski resort in Saint-Philémon, is investing $75M in building tourist accommodations and recreational facilities. The project received nearly $9M in funding from the provincial government. Construction will begin this winter.

Maski Hardwood Products, a company specializing in hardwood component manufacturing, closed in Louiseville. As a result, around 40 people lost their jobs.

Les Entreprises Pion from Saint-Hyacinthe inaugurated Complexe Le Rocher, an $8M housing project in Saint-Dominique. The project was carried out over two phases.

The Ville de Sorel-Tracy will build a refrigerated outdoor rink thanks to $2.6M in funding from the BLEU BLANC BOUGE Foundation. In addition, the municipality is investing around $3M in improving the facilities.

The Salon Emploi Charlevoix will take place on April 12, 2025, at the Domaine Forget in Saint-Irénée. The event is funded by the Government of Quebec and is done in collaboration with numerous local partners.

The Centre de services scolaire de Laval is investing $48M in adding a second building to the Jean-Piaget school, which is for students aged 12 to 21 with disabilities

Actua, a leading STEM youth outreach organization, donated $140,000 to Aurora College’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Outreach program in Fort Smith. The funding will be used to connect with 6,000 youth, 100 educators, and 20 communities to expand the program providing community-based learning opportunities. An Outreach Technician will also be added to the Inuvik program team.

The Canada Post strike is impacting NWT communities that rely heavily, and solely in some cases, on Canada Post for postal services. Residents’ holiday gifts, government documents, and property tax assessments are on hold or disrupted due to the strike. However, local shopping has increased, benefitting local artisans and vendors this holiday season.

The federal government is providing $3.5M for a new water treatment plant in Fort Providence, NWT, after reports of tap water smelling like diesel. The construction of the new facility is set to be completed by the winter of 2025.

The federal government announced provision of $11.77M for 16 projects supporting women in northern communities. The funding will go towards expanding organizations’ capacity and programs supporting gender equality, such as training, policy development and community-led activities. The $11.77M expands on a previous $100M federal investment for economic and leadership opportunities for women.

The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications released a report, finding that transportation infrastructure in Nunavut is destabilized and under threat of further deterioration. Thawing permafrost and more frequent severe weather events are impacting aviation infrastructure. While melting snow limits travel by sled and snow mobile and drought impacts barge transport on rivers.

Multiple Northwestern Air Lease (NWAL) flights have been cancelled over the last few weeks from Fort Smith, NWT, mainly due to pilot shortages. NWAL faces hiring and retention challenges, as new pilots often leave for larger cities after fulfilling certain flight hours, and many pilots are unwilling to relocate to Fort Smith. The airline currently employs one crew, pilot, and co-pilot each.

The A&W in Yellowknife is slated to close on December 31 this year. The chain restaurant was put up for sale in March 2023.

Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation has provided $7.2M to the Deh Gáh Got'îê First Nation to build a 60-bed supportive housing facility for women, 2SLGBTQI+, and children in the NWT. The facility will offer cultural and healing programs with Indigenous Services Canada subsidizing operating costs. Construction is expected to be completed by April 2025, with programming starting in the fall of 2025.

In a new partnership, the NWT government is committing $445,000 per year to Area Métis Local #51 to operate the Hay River Homeless Shelter. The NWT government is also providing training support. Of the funding, $75,000 is from the Department of Health and Social services to go towards day programs.

The NWT RCMP Chief Superintendent reported about one in five NWT RCMP job vacancies are positions with no prospective employee to fill it. Many current vacancies are newly created positions, including seven for a new Crime Reduction Unit and nine with the Emergency Response Team.

The federal government is providing $750,000 to Sky High Wilderness Ranch, a tourism business, to build new cabins and centers for elders and visitor experiences in Yukon. The Kwanlin Dün First Nation owns Sky High Wilderness Ranch, and the project aims to preserve culture and empower the nation economically. Tourism visits to Yukon increased by 20% last year, with further growth expected.

The federal government is providing almost $1.5M for three Yukon organizations to expand and improve operations to better address and prevent gender-based violence. The Yukon Status of Women Council, The Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre, and the Yukon Women’s Coalition will receive money for projects focused on root causes and systemic forms of gender-based violence.

The Government of Saskatchewan has contracted two medical leaders to conduct an independent external review of the working environment in Regina hospitals. The consultants will identify opportunities for improvement and create a better workplace for health care workers. Consultants will start the process with virtual assessments and in-person visits. The review is expected to be complete in spring 2025.

The Martensville Primary Health Centre opened on December 9. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. The new centre provides residents and community with access to screening, examination and tests, treatment, and diagnosis.

The Government of Canada is providing over $265M for clean electricity projects in the province. Over $12M of this funding will be delivered through the Smart renewables and Electrification Pathways Program for local and Indigenous-led renewable power projects. Over $256M will be dedicated to help modernize the energy grid through the Future Electricity Fund.

The Government of Saskatchewan is now accepting applications for the latest round of funding through the Targeted Sector Support Initiative. The $1.5M fund supports municipal projects that target efficient service delivery and enhanced governance and administrative capacity. The application deadline is April 30, 2025.

The Government of Saskatchewan is amending the Saskatchewan Employment Act. Some of the new proposed rule changes include prohibiting employers from withholding tips from employees, limiting when employers can request sick notes, and extending leave provisions for sickness, maternity leave, interpersonal violence leave, and bereavement leave.

The Government of Canada and Government of Saskatchewan are accepting applications for the 2025 Agriculture Student Scholarship. The awards range from $3000 to $6000 to supports students entering agriculture-related post-secondary studies. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.

Canada Life and the Power Corporation of Canada are providing $750,000 to the Rainbow Resource Centre, to continue the development of its Winnipeg housing complex for 2SLGBTQ+ seniors. Construction on the 21-unit building concluded in August 2024, and Phase 2 will begin next year. It includes programming space, a library, a café, and permaculture gardens.

Construction has begun on a $3M pickleball and tennis facility in downtown Brandon. The Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub will include 14 courts, along with an exercise room, hot tub, and sauna. Building work on the project is expected to conclude by summer of 2025.

The City of Winnipeg has created a new team to respond to reports of vacant and derelict buildings. The unit consists of by-law enforcement officers and building inspectors, and has shortened response times for complaints from 20 days to just two.

An A&W location in Winnipeg’s Osborne Village recently closed following the end of its lease term. However, the number of new businesses opening in the neighbourhood has increased for the first time since the pandemic. New offerings include Tring5, a Japanese and Korean café, and Spice Circle, an East Indian restaurant.

The Winnipeg Police Service is increasing patrols at shopping malls across the city throughout the month of December. Staffing will be accomplished through officer overtime and by adding mall visits to the schedules of community support and community relations officers.

The Government of Manitoba will be redirecting some of its conservation officers, assigning them to positions at the Canada-U.S. border. This is in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian products if the country doesn’t increase its border security.

Princess Auto, a retailer with 50 locations across Canada, is planning to build a 105,000-sq.-ft. superstore in Winnipeg. The project will be located in the Elmwood area, but still requires a final vote by City Council before it can get underway.

The Government of Canada is spending $4.8M on a retrofit to Winnipeg’s Gordon Bell High School that is expected to halve the building’s energy use. Construction began in summer of 2023 and is scheduled to be complete by fall 2025.

Assiniboine Community College is adding two new programs to train early childhood educators: an accelerated online diploma and a qualification recognition program for foreign-trained individuals. Both begin in January 2025.

Manitoba saw 10.4M tourists and posted a record $1.82B in tourist spending in 2023, according to Travel Manitoba. This represents a significant improvement since the pandemic; the province has not reported more than 10M visitors since 2019.

Franny’s Place, a 15-bed safe house and 24/7 drop-in service, is opening in downtown Brandon. The space is open to Indigenous women, two-spirit, and gender-diverse people. It recently received $500,000 in funding from the provincial government to support its operations.

Genesis House, a Winkler organization that provides emergency shelter to survivors of violence, is planning a new transitional housing project. Fundraising efforts are underway with the goal of building a 25-unit facility in Southern Manitoba.

Alamo Management recently reopened its downtown Winnipeg hotel with a new name and expanded rooms and amenities. The $30M renovation includes 47 new suites, a gym, lobby bar, and additional meeting space. The hotel, formerly Best Western Plus, has been rebranded as the Hampton Inn by Hilton Winnipeg Downtown.

Construction has begun on Winnipeg's Portage and Main intersection and is expected to last about six months. The downtown intersection has long been closed to pedestrians, but is being redesigned to accommodate foot traffic and is scheduled to reopen in summer 2025.

The provincial government is taking steps to limit its reliance on private nursing agencies to fill gaps in health care staffing. Agencies can no longer sign new contracts with Manitoba public health providers, and a request for proposals is setting new policies for how approved agencies can operate. Public health employers spent 40% more on private nursing agencies in 2023-2024 than the previous year.

The Government of Manitoba is coordinating a police presence at the Portage District General Hospital in response to concerns about safety. The three-month pilot project will see officers from Long Plain First Nation patrol the hospital, parking lots, and nearby areas. Similar arrangements are in place in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Selkirk, with 105 peace officers currently stationed at hospitals across the province.

A Winnipeg English language skills program has announced it will be closing early in 2025 due to a loss of federal funding. The Enhanced Skills for Employment program is located at Canadian Mennonite University and enrols approximately 1,000 newcomers to Canada each year.

The Government of Manitoba has selected a building in Winnipeg's South Point Douglas neighbourhood to house its supervised drug consumption site. The site is slated to open in 2025 and will be operated by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre.

Manitoba Made, a gift shop in Lac du Bonnet, will be closing on December 21, 2024. The owner says a lack of tourist traffic is a challenge for businesses like hers, and wants the town and rural municipality to step up efforts to promote the community to potential visitors.

The More Than Meals program, a popular meal delivery service in Greater Victoria, will come to an end this January due to a lack of funding. The United Way Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI) has announced it will discontinue financial support for the program, citing concerns over its long-term sustainability.

Small Business BC, a non-profit organization that provides support to businesses, has filed for bankruptcy and will be shutting down. As part of the closure, approximately 36 staff members have been laid off. The organization had received funding from both the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia to support its operations.

Estratto Coffee, a cafe in Vancouver, is closing on December 15.

The Government of Canada is spending $12.5M to decarbonize heavy emitting industries in British Columbia, including the forestry sector. The funds are going towards six projects, including a project at the University of British Columbia that uses pulp and paper waste to capture carbon emissions. Another project in Quesnel will fuel the Cariboo Pulp and Paper mill with gas made from wood residues.

BC Transit’s first electric vehicles will begin operating in Victoria in early 2025, following last year’s $395.5 million investment from the federal and provincial governments. The transit agency plans to add 141 electric buses next year. Over the next three to five years, BC Transit plans to acquire over 900 new buses, aiming to replace aging vehicles and expand service while minimizing environmental impact.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is pausing construction on their new art gallery due to a $200M increase in construction costs. Although the first stage of pre-construction has already been completed, the project will be reassessed over the coming months.

B.C.'s real estate workforce will face significant changes in the coming decades, driven by aging workers and increased demand from a growing population. A new report from Rennie Advisory Services highlights the need for additional workers in both real estate conveyance and development to address retirements and rising demand.

The Coda, a new music venue in Victoria, is expected to open in early 2025.

The District of Hudson’s Hope has announced that the Hudson’s Hope Transfer Station has finished undergoing upgrades and the old recycling station has been relocated. This change is expected to improve wildlife safety and enhance waste management services in the community.

The Government of Canada has awarded two new Alaska Highway maintenance contracts, totaling $103 million, to Ledcor Highway Maintenance. The projects, set to run from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2028, will include provisions for employment and training opportunities for local First Nations communities.

The Cool Aid Society’s new Crosstown building will open in Victoria in 2025. The facility will provide over 150 units of supportive and affordable housing to vulnerable people living in the city.

The Government of British Columbia has funded a new $4.3M Recruitment, Retention and Innovative Skills Training Program to help the farming, seafood and food-processing sectors address labour-market needs. The program will use its funds to support skills training, host awareness campaigns and reduce employment barriers for underrepresented groups. The program is now open for applications.

The Richmond Board of Education is spending $3.96 million to build two new child-care facilities at Spul'u'kwuks and Garden City elementary schools. Each centre will provide daycare services and before-and-after school programs for approximately 50 children. Construction is expected to be completed by September 2025.

Bisou Bakehouse, a bakery in Downtown Vancouver, has closed due to low foot traffic.

The City of Burnaby is investing $24 million to install water meters in single- and two-family homes between 2025 and 2027. This initiative is part of the city's preparations for a pay-for-use water billing model set to take effect in 2027.

Joey Kelowna is reopening on December 13 after two months of renovation. Patrons visiting the restaurant within the first week of opening will be entered in an exclusive contest.

A planned $1-billion lithium-ion battery cell production plant in Maple Ridge, B.C., has been put on hold as the company shifts its focus to production in Taiwan. This move follows a trend of battery manufacturers across North America suspending similar expansion projects. The expansion was expected to create 350 new permanent jobs, in addition to securing the 100 existing positions at the site. At the time, the B.C. government had committed $80 million in funding for the facility, while the federal government pledged $204.5 million.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay has announced it will be closing the Kokanee Creek Marina recycling depot permanently on December 31. The closure is expected to save roughly $68.5K per year. The changes were made to increase the operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the region’s facilities.

Teck Trail Operations recently laid off 38 employees as part of its long-term strategy to improve operations. The company stated that the layoffs are a step toward returning to profitability, with a focus on implementing efficiency and cost-management measures to ensure the business remains sustainable in the future.

Jay Nok Modern Thai, a new restaurant, is opening in Vancouver’s Olympic Village in early 2025.

FreshSlice is set to open a new location in Oliver in mid-January 2025.

Turning Points Collaborative Society and the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre are partnering to build a 60-unit affordable housing complex in Summerland. The $12 million project will feature five floors, with residential units located above and a food bank and resource centre on the ground floor. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2026.

BC Hydro has selected nine wind projects for 30-year energy purchase agreements through its 2024 call for power. These projects will help to supply nearly 5K gigawatt hours per year to help BC Hydro meet growing demands. The development and construction of the new projects are expected to generate between $5B and $6B in private capital spending throughout the province.

Marshalls will be opening its fifth Lower Mainland location in Downtown Vancouver in March 2025.

The Government of Canada is providing more than $148 million to British Columbia through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program to support response and recovery costs related to the 2022 and 2023 wildfires and 2023 floods.

The Terrace Community Forest, a private company owned by the City of Terrace, has reported that its contribution for this year to the city is $200K. The company makes money from its commercial thinning and retention harvesting program and the funds go to the community for local projects.

The City of Coquitlam has granted Beedie Living a development permit to build two six-storey residential buildings in Fraser Mills. As part of the project, the developer will also include a childcare facility with capacity for 69 children, serving the local community.

The Government of Canada has partnered with the ?aq?am community, Columbia Basin Trust, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Real Estate Foundation of BC to provide over $1.4M to the ?aq?am wetland project. The initiative aims to restore six wetlands on ?aq?am lands while enhancing environmental protections in the region.

The City of Abbotsford has granted Archway Community Services a three-year permit to operate a year-round, 30-bed emergency shelter. In addition to providing safe housing, the shelter will offer life skills training, educational support, healthcare, and services for mental health and substance use.

Vice and Virtue Brewing Co. in Kelowna will close on December 21 for renovations but plans to reopen under new ownership in early 2025.

The Sequel, a new restaurant, is set to open in Downtown Vancouver on January 1, 2025.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has approved an $11.7 million debris flow mitigation project. The project will involve widening Catiline Creek, replacing the FSR bridge, and addressing riparian habitat loss caused by construction. Work is expected to begin in fall 2025 and be completed by winter 2026.

Restorative Cycle, a bike shop run by the Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy Association, is closing on December 21.

Parallax Energy has purchased the assets of Vesta Energy Ltd. which are primarily light oil formations in the East Shale Basin in Central Alberta. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Advantage Energy Ltd.is planning to spend $270M to $300M in 2025 to drill and complete 34 wells in a continuous two-rig drilling program across its Alberta assets.

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has secured a real-estate location for its Heal Wellness brand in the Kensington area of Calgary. The location is the seventh unit out of ten restaurants for the franchisee in Alberta.

Organigram Holdings Inc., a major licensed producer of cannabis, has acquired Motif Labs Ltd. for $90M. The combined company will have about 13 percent of the recreational cannabis market share in Alberta.

The Government of Alberta is advancing a strategic initiative to attract Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre investment to the province. The Alberta Electricity System Operator (AESO) currently has 12 data centre projects on their project list totalling 6,455 MW of load.

Krispy Kreme opened its doughnut manufacturing facility and retail shop in Edmonton on December 10, 2024.

Calgary-based First Helium Inc. has completed surveying for two prospective oil wells in Alberta and is progressing through the licensing process for both locations.

Dollarama has spent $46.7M to buy land near Calgary where it plans to build a warehouse and distribution centre to service Western Canada. The new facility is expected to be in operation by the end of 2027 pending finalization of the deal.

Baytex Energy Corp. is planning a 2025 exploration and development budget of $1.2B to $1.3B weighted 60 percent to the first half of the year. Baytex is budgeting 40 to 45 percent of the capital to its Canadian operations, equally split between its light oil and heavy oil operations.

The Government of Alberta is providing $91,000 to the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism’s Business Connections Program. The funding will support more than 100 small- and medium-sized enterprises across the region.

Gibson Energy has decided not to proceed with its proposed Waste-to-Energy Project in the greater Edmonton area that was first announced in June 2024.

Keyera Corp. is planning to spend $300M to $330M in growth capital on projects in 2025 and an additional $70M to $90M on maintenance next year.

Touchstone Exploration Inc., a Calgary-based energy company focused on operations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is planning a 2025 capital program of $23M that includes four development wells.

LithiumBank Resources Corp. has successfully produced battery grade lithium carbonate from its Direct Lithium Extraction pilot plant in Calgary using lithium brine collected in Alberta.

Pieridae Energy Limited is planning to spend about $16M of its $30M capital budget in 2025 on routine capital maintenance, field operating technology upgrades, and site closure / decommissioning expenditures in Alberta and BC.

Mullen Group Ltd., specialists in transportation and logistics based in Okotoks, is planning to spend $100M in 2025 capital that includes emissions reductions work. Another $150M is slated for new acquisitions in 2025.

Acceleware Ltd., specialists in using radiative heating for bitumen production, has secured up to $1.31M in grant funding from the Clean Resource Innovation Network for the redeployment of upgraded subsurface components and the next phase of heating at its Marwayne, Alberta RF XL pilot project.

The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is providing $862,500 to TECHNATION to support 250 work-integrated learning (WIL) placements in Calgary’s tech sector over the next seven months. More than 80% of the placements will be in small and medium-sized enterprises with a focus on artificial intelligence.

Enbridge has cancelled plans for its Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission (WCGT) project that would have delivered natural gas from northeastern B.C. to a proposed LNG terminal near Prince Rupert.

AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. has launched agricultural operations at its newly acquired Bitcoin mining facility in Sturgeon County near Edmonton. The facility, powered by an on-site generator, utilizing flared gas, integrates carbon capture and heat reuse technologies to support the cultivation of crops and aquaculture.

Energy companies, legal firms and the health insurance sector are all currently hiring for a range of positions in Calgary and Edmonton.

Headwater Exploration Inc. is planning a 2025 capital budget of $225M that includes $25M for 8-10 new wells to expand on its 2024 exploration program.

Athabasca Oil Corporation is proposing a 2025 capital budget of approximately $335M. About $250M of the total will be directed towards its thermal heavy oil operations in Alberta with the balance of about $85M directed to drilling and completions on its Duvernay assets.

The Alberta Enterprise Corporation is providing an anchor investment of $15M into a fund for tech startups named Accelerate Fund IV. The fund, managed by Yaletown Partners, will provide startup capital to Alberta companies focused in life sciences, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence among other.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited has completed its acquisition of Alberta assets from Chevron Canada Limited and has added the Chevron employees to its Field and Calgary head office teams

Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. is planning a 2025 capital budget of $430M to $450M that includes commissioning of its new CSV Albright sour gas plant which is expected in Q1 2025. Tamarack also has major planned turnaround activities at its key facilities in both its Charlie Lake and Clearwater assets in Q3 2025.

The Municipal District of Greenview and its Greenview Industrial Gateway (GIG) is partnering with O’Leary Ventures on a plan to attract AI data centres powered by natural-gas and geothermal stand-alone electrical plants. Once fully built out over a five-to-10-year period, the area in northwest Alberta could eventually offer 7.5 gigawatts of energy to its tenants.

The new Cataract Outpatient Clinic in Charlottetown officially opened, and its ophthalmologist hopes the clinic will eventually see up to 4,000 patients a year. About 90% of cataract surgeries on P.E.I. will be done at the clinic, which is funded by medicare.

AquaBounty Technologies states that it will shut down its Bay Fortune salmon hatchery in P.E.I. and will reduce staff in the coming weeks. The company had said earlier that it was selling its Rollo Bay location. The two sites had 37 staff at one time.

Tourism officials and organizers of the Sommo Festival say that moving the festival to September was a success and provided $30M in spinoff spending. Data shows that cottage and hotel bookings were up 5% and campground stays were up 16% compared to 2023.

The latest Conference Board of Canada report predicts that P.E.I.'s population growth will shrink from 3.0% to 1.6% in 2025 and down to 0.6% in 2026 and 2027. The slowdown is attributed to a reduction in immigration, as well as inter-provincial migration.

The federal government announced that starting in January 2025, fishing licence holders in Atlantic Canada will now have access to maternity and parental leave. Licence holders can request a substitute to run their fishing business while on leave.

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Scorecard says P.E.I. leads the country in supporting energy efficiency upgrades for lower income households and is tied for second place for energy efficiency programs overall. The report states that P.E.I. is a leader for energy efficiency.

Business Openings: Crumbl (Dartmouth Crossing) and Heidi’s Pizza (Bedford Highway); Closures: Noodle Waroom (Halifax) and Caissie Pizza (Bedford Highway).

The West Bedford Transitional Health Centre, N.S. Health's first, is now open, led by a team of 3 nurse practitioners with support from visiting physicians. The building is owned by Shannex, which operates long-term care and retirement facilities in the province. They plan to open another 110-bed centre next door in 2026.

The federal government announced that starting in January 2025, fishing licence holders in Atlantic Canada will now have access to maternity and parental leave. Licence holders can request a substitute to run their fishing business while on leave.

a streamlined licensing program aimed at recruiting foreign-trained pharmacists to Nova Scotia has drawn 102 applicants one year after its launch with 32 that already have their licences and 70 currently being processed.The program waives the mandatory national licensing exam and internship period that is otherwise required. The campaign runs for another year.

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has bought land adjacent to its Centre 200 facility in Sydney. They plan to build a transit hub on the property and also explore a possible expansion of the arena site with ideas such as a parkade or additional complementary sports facilities.

The Government of Canada has announced over $5.1M in funding to the Kings Transit Authority for public transit infrastructure in Annapolis, Kings, and Digby counties through the Canada Public Transit Fund. The funding will be delivered over 10 years from 2026-2036 to help advance key improvements.

The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans is set to impose a major change on the lucrative but problem-plagued Maritime fishery for juvenile eels, stripping most commercial operations of almost 80% of their quota and handing it to individual fishermen and First Nations.

The N.S. Government has signed 2 agreements worth just under $1M (over 3 years) with Natural Resources Canada to help the province grow its critical minerals industry. N.S. released a critical minerals strategy in Fall 2023, which includes a key objective of creating a stable supply of critical minerals for clean technologies.

A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows child welfare social workers in N.S. are struggling with excessive caseloads, chronic understaffing, low wages and insufficient training. The report was based on in-depth interviews with 15 social workers currently or recently employed in N.S.’s Department of Community Services.

The Government of Canada has announced $473,693 for Cruise Newfoundland & Labrador with the N.L. Government contributing an additional $150,000. The funding will support international marketing and strategic initiatives, and build capacity and market readiness, to grow the cruise sector in the province.

Combined federal/provincial and municipal infrastructure funding of over $16.8M was announced for the Town of Holyrood and 10 other municipalities around Conception Bay for 19 infrastructure projects.

The federal government announced that starting in January 2025, fishing licence holders in Atlantic Canada will now have access to maternity and parental leave. Licence holders can request a substitute to run their fishing business while on leave.

NL Health Services has announced plans to fund the Emergency Medical Responder certification program in Central Labrador that starts in January 2025 for applicants committed to working for the authority afterward. Financial support will include the cost of the program as well as travel, accommodation, and meals for in-person training.

The Newfoundland Weavery and Whink in St. John’s have both announced they will be closing soon. The NL Weavery has operated since 1972. Factors cited in the closures were business sector changes including the continuing online shopping trend, inflation and increased shipping costs.

Memorial University has announced plans to curb hiring professors, researchers and other staff to deal with a $9.5M loss in tuition fees due to decreasing enrolment, which dropped by 5.4% from fall 2023 to fall 2024. A "limited hiring program" aimed at vacant and new positions (permanent and contract) has been approved.

Braya Renewable Fuels is considering a temporary economic shutdown of its Come by Chance refinery in Placentia Bay that produces renewable fuels, blaming tight margins and tax credit expirations. Braya has a permanent workforce of 230 people which it plans to retain during any shutdown while some temporary employees will be laid off on Dec. 19.

R2 Capital has purchased Place 400, a well-known commercial building in the north end of Saint John, for about $2.8M. The new owners plan to renovate the 160,000 sq. ft. building in order to create a premier office environment with below-market rates.

The Moncton Flight College is pausing most of its operations in Fredericton in 2025 due to a lack of students from abroad. The Fredericton operation’s main focus is on international training, with most students coming from China. Forty staff members will be affected, but most will be offered other positions with the PAL Group of Companies.

The N.B. government is working on a program to rebate the 10% provincial tax to developers that construct new rental housing in the province. It would apply to construction taking place between Nov. 15, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2027. More details will follow.

The federal government announced that starting in January 2025, fishing licence holders in Atlantic Canada will now have access to maternity and parental leave. Licence holders can request a substitute to run their fishing business while on leave.

Ottawa will spend over $1B to grow N.B.’s clean electricity grid, with the majority supporting Indigenous-led wind projects to create up to 670 megawatts. Other clean projects will also be supported and overall could help power up to 140,000 homes.

PuraVida Development Corp has started demolition and remediation work on an old school in Woodstock and plans to convert it into housing and daycare spaces. The demolition and construction work is expected to take about 20 months and cost about $8.775M.

N.B. Power plans to buy power from a new natural-gas plant near Moncton, which the utility says will reduce its use of Coleson Cove generation station, which burns heavy oil. The utility is looking to reduce emissions, but also needs reliable electricity.

The provincial government has decided it will honour current leases but will not allow further blueberry development on former Tracadie range. As a result, a proposal to develop about 830 new hectares for blueberry development will not proceed.

Moncton, Dieppe, and Riverview have approved a $9M increase in the 2025 budget for the Codiac Regional RCMP, which will see the addition of 17 new RCMP officers and five municipal employees to enhance community policing. The police force has 156 officers who will move into a new $57M police facility in 2025.

Dark Horse Espresso Bar opened its first location in Hamilton

A1 Cash & Carry, a wholesale food supplier and restaurant supply store, opened a new location in Burlington

FreshCo opened a location in Cambridge

The federal government is investing nearly $108.5M over the next three years to enhance and expand access to school food programs in Ontario

Collingwood General and Marine Hospital began construction on a $5M MRI suite, expected to be operational by fall 2025

Tahini’s, a Mediterranean fusion cuisine restaurant, opened a new location in Vaughan

Shoppers Drug Mart opened its first Pharmacy Care Clinic in Sarnia

Moxies restaurant is closing at the RioCan Georgian Mall in Barrie at the end of February

Construction has begun on the new $63M recreation and community centre at the Steve Omischl Sports Field Complex in North Bay, with expected completion by August 2026

The Mon Sheong Stouffville Long-Term Care Centre will open a new 224-bed facility in Stouffville by spring 2025

Cara Community Corporations in Sault Ste. Marie has begun the $35M Trinity Tower Project, featuring 108 rental units, commercial spaces, and a chapel

The provincial government is investing $20M over three years to revitalize downtown Ottawa with infrastructure upgrades, community safety initiatives and stimulate economic growth

Town & Country restaurant re-opened in Guelph after a year and a half of renovations

The Bronson Centre, is investing $9.5M, with the help of the federal government towards infrastructure upgrades to the downtown Ottawa community centre

Pure Kitchen restaurant closed its Rideau Street location in Ottawa

Alinova Canada Inc. is building a $24M soybean product plant in Morrisburg, set to open in 2026 with up to 8 employees initially and up to 20 once fully operational

Hamilton Health Sciences' Juravinski Hospital will add 100 new inpatient beds with an additional $10M from the provincial government, bringing the total redevelopment investment to $17.5M

Extendicare Canada Inc. begun construction on a 128-bed long-term care home in Port Stanley, south of London, set to open in 2027

No Frills opened a new location in Mississauga, replacing the Wholesale Club that closed earlier this year

Honestly Good Chicken Fingers opened its locations at CF Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke and at The Well in downtown Toronto

Lactalis Canada Inc., a manufacturer of dairy goods, opened a 379,000-sq.-ft. distribution centre in Oshawa, creating approximately 80 jobs

Happy Belly Food Group Inc., opened a co-branded store featuring Lettuce Love Café and Heal Wellness quick service restaurants in Toronto's Bloor-West Village, with another location set to open in Hamilton in early 2025

Shotgun Golf, an indoor golf range, opened in Bradford

Vale Canada Limited, a mining company in Sudbury, has laid off several non-union workers

Foundation Health opened a family medical clinic in Toronto’s Etobicoke borough

The Boys and Girls Club South East opened a new 9,000-sq.-ft. STEM & Robotics Centre in Kingston

The Works, a supervised drug consumption site operated by Toronto Public Health, is set to close next spring, affecting four community health officers and 29 temporary harm reduction councillors

BRP, a manufacturer of recreational vehicles, laid off more than 120 people at its facilities in Sherbrooke, Valcourt and Montréal

The Centre de la petite enfance des Cantons received $3.5M from the provincial government to build two daycare centres with 21 spots each in Cacouna and Saint-Hubert-de-Rivière-du-Loup. The centres are scheduled to open in the summer of 2025.

The Ville de Drummondville is investing $3.8M, including nearly $1.2M from the Government of Quebec, in upgrading its fire station. Construction is due to be complete by October 2025.

The Salon de l’emploi de Uashat mak Mani-utenam – Sept-Rivières, which will take place on February 20, is currently launching a registration campaign for companies that would like to participate in the job fair

Iamgold, a mining company, is closing its business office in Brossard. It is not clear how many employees will be affected.

The Maison du Compagnon, a community organization that offers transitional housing, opened in La Sarre. Several partners, including the Government of Quebec, funded the $2.2M project.

TBC Fabrication, a modular assembly company, is investing $18M in building a new plant in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The Government of Quebec is providing $6.5M for the project, which will be completed by January 2025 and require 50 workers.

Our Lady of the Cape Shrine inaugurated its welcoming pavilion in Trois-Rivières after investing $10M in construction costs. The overall multi-phase project is valued at nearly $40M.

The Municipalité de Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague officially opened its fire station, which is valued at over $5M. The Government of Quebec provided around $3.7M in funding for the project.

The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain, an organization responsible for public transit services in the Greater Montréal area, is restructuring by laying off more than 30 employees

The Municipalité de Racine inaugurated its community centre, which underwent renovations valued at nearly $2M. The Government of Quebec provided a $1.5M grant for the project.

Grocery chain Super C opened a store in Rigaud following a $3.6M investment. The number of employees jumped from 35 to 65.

BRP, a manufacturer of recreational vehicles, laid off more than 120 people at its facilities in Sherbrooke, Valcourt and Montréal

Home Hardware, a hardware chain, closed five locations after the owner filed for bankruptcy. The stores in Laval, L’Épiphanie, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Brownsburg-Chatham and Mirabel were shut down.

Espace Pickleball, a recreational sports centre, inaugurated its new facilities in Québec in December. The project required an $8M investment.

Toys "R" Us, a chain of toy and game stores, will be closing its location in Québec's Laurier Québec mall in the near future

The Municipalité de La Conception is receiving more than $3M from the Government of Quebec to expand and rehabilitate its town hall and community hall

The Faubourg de la Comtesse, a residential construction project, is starting the second of three phases in Sorel-Tracy. The new phase, which is valued at around $10M, will add 56 homes in around 30 lots.

The Municipalité de Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle reopened the Jardins-de-Napierville rest area. The $18M renovations, which were entirely funded by the Government of Quebec, were designed to achieve energy certification.

Over two years, the Government of Quebec will invest $8M in improving cellular coverage in Côte-Nord

CGI, a multinational IT consulting services firm in Montréal, laid off 83 employees in that city

The Cree Nation of Mistissini will manage the new Nibiischii national park in Nord-du-Québec. The Government of Quebec will invest $67M in the park over 10 years.

Amusement SPK, a recreational centre, is investing $2.8M in building a new facility at its location in Saguenay. Construction should be completed by the spring of 2025. The project will create nearly a dozen part-time positions.

Les Enfants Terribles, a chain of restaurant-taverns, will open a location in Québec in December. It will be its first franchise in the region. The restaurant will create around 30 new jobs once the establishment opens.

Phare des Îles, a building with eight units for people with autism or a disability, will be built in Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Valued at around $7M, the project is being funded with $4.65M from Quebec and Ottawa and should be completed by the fall of 2025.

Sephora, a cosmetics retailer, opened a store in Promenades Drummondville. The business employs 23 people.

The maison des aînés et alternative de Val-D’Or is now open to residents. The facility can accommodate 12 people with a loss of autonomy and 36 people with physical impairments or intellectual disabilities.

Sanimax, which specializes in rendering to transform materials into livestock feed, fertilizer and industrial greases, will invest $48M in building a warehouse by 2025 and a water treatment plant by 2027 in Montréal

Charcuterie Charlevoisienne, a butcher shop in Saint-Urbain, is spending $2M on expanding and reorganizing its facilities and acquiring automated machines. Construction will be finished by the spring of 2025.

Commonwealth Plywood will lay off 23 employees for an indefinite period at its plywood mill in Rapides-des-Joachims

Tetra Tech, a consulting and engineering firm, began a construction project on a building in Saguenay. Local contractor Construction Gauthier started the work in September, and it will be completed by 2025.

Quebec's ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable announced that the new Route 132 near Chandler has opened. The two-phase project was valued at $48M. The ministry will ensure that completion work is done by the summer of 2025.

The Hôpital de Sept-Îles is currently building its psychiatric unit, which will be finished in 2025. The project is valued at $18M.

Developers have begun construction on the airport park in Rouyn-Noranda. The site will include more than 30 lots that will have warehouse and manufacturing buildings as of 2025.

Developer Groupe Robin is investing $20M in building a dual-branded hotel with 128 rooms and studios in Granby. Construction should begin in the winter of 2025 and be finished by the spring of 2026.

Lightspeed Commerce, a company in Montréal that provides technological solutions for businesses, is cutting approximately 200 jobs after restructuring

Avianor, an aircraft maintenance and repair company, inaugurated a facility to maintain A220 aircraft in Mirabel. The project of over $70M received $9M in provincial funding and $7.6M in federal funding.

Lion Electric, an electric bus and truck manufacturer, is cutting 400 jobs in Canada and the United States. The temporary lay offs could affect the plants in Mirabel and Saint-Jérôme.

The maison des aînés et alternative de Val-D’Or is now open to residents. The facility can accommodate 12 people with a loss of autonomy and 36 people with physical impairments or intellectual disabilities.

The Municipalité de Saint-Célestin could invest up to $1.1M in increasing the capacity of its wastewater treatment facilities. Construction is due to be complete by 2025.

The Centre de services scolaire de l’Estuaire, which oversees several schools in Côte-Nord, is currently recruiting to fill positions in all areas

The Régie intermunicipale de police Richelieu – Saint-Laurent is launching a recruitment campaign to fill jobs for the 17 towns in the Montérégie region. The organization currently employs 360 people.

Topla!, a restaurant chain that specializes in pasta dishes, will open a location in Baie-Comeau. It is scheduled to open in October 2025.

Sheertex (SRTX), a tights textile manufacturer based in Montréal, received a $35M grant from the provincial government to help the company with innovation and market development

Safe at Home Society is opening two supportive housing projects in Whitehorse, where tenants at risk of homelessness will receive life skills, employment training and other social supports. A 17-unit building opened on December 1, and a larger facility is under construction, scheduled to open in the spring of 2026.

On December 2, the Yukon Premier and the federal Defence Minister signed a letter of intent to explore the feasibility of building a naval reserve in the Yukon. Royal Canadian Navy members will explore options in the territory in the summer of 2025. The Navy aims to recruit members and build a deep-water Arctic port in the long term, while the Yukon government seeks to build infrastructure and create jobs.

The Nahanni Butte Dene Band has purchased six homes to make available to its members through a rent-to-own program. The community has long struggled with a housing shortage and is using its own resources, along with funding from the federal and territorial governments for this initiative.

The federal government is providing $4M to the Yukon government from 2024 to 2028 to reduce and prevent gun violence in the territory. The funding will go towards prevention initiatives through community organizations and law enforcement.

The Government of Yukon is providing up to $5M, along with a donation of land, to a housing project by the Northern Community Land Trust Society. Project 1096 consists of 32 affordable homes in Whitehorse’s Whistle Bend neighbourhood. It is a condominium development considered to be “permanently affordable” due to restrictions on the resale prices of units.

Buffalo Airways is providing specialized wildfire pilot training with a new aircraft and training simulator. The company aims to train northern pilots who are already familiar with the northern terrain. A second training intake will begin in early 2025 and second aircraft is expected to arrive at Buffalo Airways in January 2025.

The Bone & Biscuit, a pet supplies store, recently opened in Yellowknife.

The NAPEGG Education Foundation distributed 11 new scholarships to engineering and geoscience students from the territories. The scholarships are intended to support students’ ability to access education with the hope they will return to northern communities and fill high-demand jobs.

Housing workers in Fort Simpson have reached a three-year agreement with the Fort Simpson Housing Authority, ending a 53-day strike. The new contract includes wage increases of 5% in the first year and 2% in the second and third, as well as extended parental leave.

The federal government is providing $4M over five years to the Government of Nunavut, to be used toward gun violence prevention efforts. The territory’s community justice division will partner with the Nunavut RCMP and Chief Firearms Office to offer public awareness activities and firearms safety courses.

The Government of Canada is providing $2.1M to the Qikiqtani Inuit Association to support training for Inuit interested in working in the mining sector. The funds will be used to purchase heavy equipment simulators for the Pond Inlet Research and Training Centre.

The Government of Yukon is conducting a 17-month feasibility study into the creation of a Canadian Institute for Arctic Security in the territory. With $370,000 in federal and territorial funding, it will help investigate how this Institute could be governed and who it could partner with in its work on northern security.

The federal government is providing $758,000 for two organizations to address gender-based violence and support 2SLGBTQI+ communities in the Northwest Territories. FOXY is receiving $438,750 to develop a gender-based violence prevention program, and Qmunity Camp NWT is receiving $319,491 to provide resources for training, governance, and policy.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is moving forward with its plans to build a university on traditional Inuit lands, having secured a $50M donation from the Mastercard Foundation. The total estimated cost of Inuit Nunangat University is $160M and the organization has requested federal funding. A location has not yet been chosen, but smaller campuses will be built in all four Inuit regions, including Nunavut and Inuvialuit Nunangat in the NWT.

Cando Rail & Terminals Ltd., a rail terminal operator, has acquired the Enterprise rail terminal with hopes for expansion. Last year, CN Rail chose not to make track repairs between Enterprise and Hay River, limiting rail freight in the Northwest Territories. Cando stated that the terminal has capacity for growth, which will yield economic benefits.

White Gold Corp. identified critical mineral prospect targets during gold exploration in west-central Yukon. White Gold Corp. also updated its gold resource estimates, which indicate potential for a high-grade open pit resource.

Chrono Aviation is discontinuing its Iqaluit to Montreal route, effective December 1. The flights were offered four times weekly beginning in August, but are being cancelled due to lack of available aircraft.

Northwestel has completed its Canada North Fibre Loop, a 3,857 kms of fibre infrastructure running throughout the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The finished project, funded by Northwestel along with the territorial and federal governments, will help prevent Internet outages in the North.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is partnering with several non-governmental organizations to create an on-the-land camp for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The camp is about 60km outside of Yellowknife and includes cultural programming, counselling, meals, and 24/7 staff support. Its estimated cost is about $642,000.

Yellowknife’s public health department is reducing some services over the holiday season due to a staff shortage. Vaccinations for non-essential travel will not be available until at least January 6. This is the latest of several health service reductions in the NWT in recent years due to staffing issues.

The City of Yellowknife has introduced a 4% tourist accommodation tax, set to take effect in April 2025. The tax will apply to accommodation costs at hotels and short-term rentals such as Airbnbs, and the revenue generated will go to a non-profit formed to promote the local tourism industry.

Gladiator metals closed a private placement, yielding $12.625M in proceeds. The funds will go toward advancing exploration at its Whitehorse Copper Project, including drilling and aeromagnetic surveying.

The City of Whitehorse is launching a curbside recycling program in December, collecting recyclables from residents’ homes. Participants will initially pay a fee for the service, but next year the City intends to transfer the program to private industry and expects the charge to be discontinued.

The Government of Northwest Territories workforce grew by over 1,000 employees from 2018 to 2024. According to Statistics Canada, the public sector in the NWT has been a larger economic driver than the mining, oil, and gas sector since 2020. Most of the employment increases occurred in the territorial health authority, which increased staffing by 50% – adding 600 employees – from 2018 to 2023.

Sitka Gold Corp. signed an agreement with Whitehorse-based Kluane Drilling Corp. to conduct a drilling project in 2025 at Sitka’s RC Gold Project in Yukon. The drilling project will be the largest at RC Gold, with 30,000 metres of drilling aimed at advancing and expanding deposit targets.

The Naha Dehe Development Corporation is working to upgrade food infrastructure in Nahanni Butte with $696,000 from the federal government and $174,000 of its own funds. The corporation plans to launch the community’s first food truck, a restaurant-on-wheels that will serve local events and festivals. It is also purchasing a refrigerated truck to assist the community’s general store with food shipments.

The First Nations Bank of Canada has opened a branch in Igoolik – the community’s first-ever physical bank. The branch has two customer services representatives and is located in the local Co-op grocery store.

Qulliq Energy Corp has hired two contractors to begin replacing three Nunavut power plants in 2025-2026. Yellowknife-based Adco Power Ltd. will build the $50.2M plant in Cambridge Bay. Iqaluit-based Pilitak Enterprises Ltd. has been selected to replace the plants in Gjoa Haven and Igloolik, estimated at $36M and $35.7M, respectively.

The governments of Canada and Yukon are spending a combined $4.1M to construct and upgrade facilities in two communities. In Dawson City, the funds will be used for planning and design of a new recreation centre. In Watson Lake, three municipal buildings will receive improved heating and ventilation systems.

The Saskatchewan government has hired nine new physicians for the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina and the Saskatoon Cancer Centre to enhance oncology care. The new positions are part of the province's Health Human Resources Plan, which aims to address staffing shortages in critical healthcare areas and ensure improved access to specialized cancer treatments.

The Government of Canada is providing $10M through PrairiesCan to support eight projects in the agriculture sector in Saskatchewan, including agricultural manufacturing, procuring new equipment and opening new processing facilities. The government expects that the funding will help create 180 new jobs.

The Government of Canada is providing $500,000 for the Sylvite Four-Six Regional Development Partnership (S4-6), a collaboration between the municipal and Indigenous communities in East Central Saskatchewan to support potash developments near BHP's $14B Jansen mine.

Saskatchewan's second subsurface mineral public offering of the fiscal year generated $2.27 million, driven by strong interest in lithium exploration. Of the 12 permits awarded, 10 are targeting lithium-in-brine, underscoring the province's expanding role in critical mineral development. The highest bid, $909,356.61, was submitted by Millennium Land Ltd. for a 3,914.410-hectare permit block north of Stoughton.

The Saskatchewan government has introduced a new financial incentive of up to $60,000 for medical residents specializing in Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, and Diagnostic Radiology during their fourth and fifth years of training. With a two-year return-of-service commitment, this initiative aims to retain highly specialized physicians in the province and address critical health care needs.

The Government of Canada is providing an additional $1M for the Little Saskatchewan River ecological corridor project to improve connectivity between Riding Mountain National Park and the Assiniboine River, which runs across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The project supports sustainable development, improves water quality in river systems and protects species and habitat.

The Government of Canada is providing $20.5M through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund to community organizations and law enforcement to combat gun violence. The funding supports the existing Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence and RCMP and CBSA's efforts to reduce gun violence and keep communities safe.

Construction is underway on The Chancellor, a new housing project by Paragon Living in Winnipeg’s south end. It consists of 95 rental units, including 38 affordable suites. The Government of Canada, City of Winnipeg, and Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation are providing a combined $38.5M to the project, which will give priority to the First Nation’s membership when complete.

The Brandon Police Service has assembled its first ever recruitment team, offering signing bonuses and paid training to potential new hires. The service currently has only 91 officers out of a full complement of 110, and needs to recruit an estimated 8-10 officers per year to keep up staffing levels.

The Government of Manitoba is spending $1.5M to hire more mental health clinicians across the province, with a focus on supporting youth with addictions. An additional $2.4M will increase psychiatric nurse support at the Health Sciences Centre Children’s Emergency Department in Winnipeg. It will also fund a new virtual crisis consultation service to assist and advise staff working in this field.

The provincial government has increased the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative by $500,000 in order to deliver more scholarships and bursaries to Indigenous students. As a result of the funding boost, the Business Council of Manitoba is providing 400 more awards this year, double the number distributed in 2023-2024.

The Government of Manitoba has confirmed that a new correctional centre will be built in Dauphin to replace the facility that closed in 2020. A timeline for the project has not yet been announced, but the community’s mayor is anticipating the new jail will create 50-100 jobs.

The Manitoba Construction Sector Council is partnering with New Media Manitoba to develop a new drone technology training program. The program will train 60 construction workers in drone-delivered laser scanning processes over the next three years, allowing companies to make better use of the technology on construction sites.

Construction has begun on Portage Commons, an $18M mixed use project in Portage la Prairie. The building, expected to be complete in 2026, will include 54 affordable housing units and eight commercial storefronts. Partners include the Dakota Tipi First Nation, Kenmare Developments, Tachia Developments, and the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.

The University of Manitoba and RRC Polytech have each opened new health care training and research facilities in Winnipeg. These state-of-the-art post-secondary facilities are expected to attract more students, educators, and health experts to Manitoba.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing up to $15.4M over four years to 70 agri-food projects, in an effort to increase the province’s food-processing capacity and create more local jobs. The funds are primarily for the purchase of new equipment or adoption of new technologies.

Winnipeg non-profit Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre is developing Manitoba’s first Indigenous-led family care centre, to be located in the Elmwood neighbourhood. The facility will offer programming, resources, and support services to families. The federal government is contributing $4.2M to the project, in addition to $300,000 from the Province.

An undisclosed number of layoffs at Winnipeg radio station CJOB occured in late November which include two local on-air personalities. Corus Entertainment, owner of CJOB and dozens of other radio and TV stations, cut more than 800 full-time positions in 2024. A source at CJOB says numerous layoffs have occurred over the last three months, including in office administration, marketing and promotions, and production.

Hanover School Division, which serves southeastern Manitoba, is laying off 93 educational assistants. The layoffs, which take effect December 11, are due to a funding shortfall caused by changes to Jordan’s Principle programming. All staff being laid off were working specifically with Indigenous children.

True North Real Estate Development has acquired Portage Place, a shopping mall in downtown Winnipeg. The company is planning to convert the buildings into a $650M mixed-use project that includes a health care services complex, a grocery store, 216 residential units, and office space for community and social services agencies.

Two minor injury and illness clinics that were scheduled to open in Winnipeg in 2024 will now be delayed till 2025, according to the Province of Manitoba. Once open, the clinics in the Misericordia Health Centre and Grace Hospital will be open seven days per week.

KF Aerospace, located in Southport near Portage la Prairie, will play a role in the Royal Canadian Air Force’s current training program. The Future Aircrew Training Program is a 25-year initiative in which KF Aerospace will oversee classroom and simulator training and manage flight operations. New facilities and upgraded equipment at Southport are expected over the life of the program.

The Government of Manitoba is providing $265,000 to the Swan River RCMP, for the hiring of three new officers. These funds are part of a pilot program created in response to concerns about escalating crime in the community. The new officers will form an investigative team working on complex cases.

Portage la Prairie’s shopping mall is permanently closing on December 31, 2024. The City of Portage la Prairie and the Portage Economic Response Team are working with mall tenants to find new locations for their buisinesses, and with affected workers to help them find skills training and new job placements.

Forgotten Flavours Artisan Bakery has opened on Winnipeg’s Corydon Avenue, in the space formerly occupied by Pennyloaf Bakery. Forgotten Flavours is based in Niverville and this is its first Winnipeg location.

The provincial government has earmarked $20M over four years for a new strategy to “empower and protect” Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse people. It includes funding for social programs, a safe ride service, a new healing space in Winnipeg, and resources for the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.

Nick’s on Broadway, a downtown Winnipeg eatery, is permanently closing due to financial difficulties. According to Restaurants Canada, 53% of Manitoba restaurants are losing money or just breaking even, compared to just 19% prior to the pandemic.

The federal government is reducing hours at 35 border points of entry across the country in order to achieve consistency with adjacent U.S. sites. This includes 12 points of entry in Manitoba.

The provincial government is spending $4M to increase surgery volumes at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, targeting 800 additional hip and knee replacements per year in 2025. The Province has hired two new surgeons and one anesthesiologist to meet this goal.

The Government of Canada is spending $20M over four years to upgrade winter roads in Manitoba. There are 17 remote First Nations communities in Manitoba reliant on these roads during the winter months.

The federal government is proceeding with school building and renovation projects in five northern First Nations communities. Improvements are being done to two school buildings in Norway House Cree Nation, while new schools are being planned for Garden Hill First Nation, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, and O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation.

The Government of Manitoba is establishing a permanent office in Washington devoted to strengthening trade relations with the United States. The Province is currently seeking staff for the office, which will open early in 2025.

The Government of Manitoba is purchasing a mobile fire rescue training trailer, which will allow more than 5,000 firefighters across the province to access training year-round.

Tribal Wi-Chi-Way-Win Capital Corp has signed a five-year agreement with Sun Life Financial Inc. to operate the customer contact centre for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. The $30-$50M deal has resulted in 175 new contact centre positions in Manitoba. At present, about 40% of staff are Indigenous.

Portage la Prairie’s only veterinary clinic has closed its doors after 22 years in operation. According to the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association, the province is facing a shortage of veterinarians as the demand for their services continues to grow.

Ontario-based Kasper Bus Lines is offering a new northern Manitoba route, running from Winnipeg to The Pas through Dauphin. This area of the province has been without bus service for about three months, since the closure of Mahihkan Bus Lines. The new route begins December 1.

National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated has announced a total of almost $26.8M in funding to 16 successful project applicants. These funds will go towards advancing Indigenous housing projects in urban, rural, and northern areas.

The Government of British Columbia is providing $7.7M to seven remote First Nations across the province to launch clean-energy projects. The goal of these projects is to transition these communities away from diesel to help save energy costs and protect the environment. The selected projects, which may include hydro, solar, biomass, and hydrogen, will be chosen in spring 2025.

Innovate BC has awarded $1.5M through its Ignite program to five B.C.-based research and development projects addressing key industry challenges. The projects focus on areas such as developing better medical diagnostics and reducing environmental impacts of mining.

Barkerville Gold Mines has received an operating permit from the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals to operate its Cariboo Gold Mine in Wells. The mine is expected to employ about 634 workers during construction. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2025 and complete by the end of 2027.

The Government of Canada is providing $12.5M to six clean technology programs and projects across British Columbia. The funding will support the development of alternative energy solutions and technologies to mitigate emissions.

ARC Resources Ltd. has announced the commencement of crude oil and natural gas production at its Attachie facility in Montney. The facility has entered its first phase of operations, with plans to ramp up to 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day by early 2025. Drilling has already begun to develop 40 wells in the region in preparation for the expansion.

Mon Keang School, a Cantonese language school located in Vancouver’s Chinatown, recently opened after being closed since 2011.

TransLink is building a $300M bus depot in South Vancouver for battery-electric buses, set to be completed by 2028. The facility will consist of two main buildings and will be used to store, charge, operate, and maintain up to 300 electric buses.

The City of Kamloops has approved a temporary 44-bed emergency shelter which will be operated by ASK Wellness. The shelter will offer Indigenous supports, and a mobile health clinic will provide medical services twice a week. The province will fund the shelter and services until March 31, 2026.

John Deere is increasing production at its Langley facility, focusing on tracked forestry machines. This expansion will not only improve services for global customers but also create new job opportunities.

Six mountain and ski resorts across British Columbia have recently opened for the season.

The City of Surrey has approved a $150M project to expand 72 Avenue in response to the city's rapid population growth. The project will be completed in multiple phases, with work scheduled to begin in spring 2025 and finish by spring 2026.

BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery in Vernon is expecting to open by the end of January 2025. The restaurant is looking to hire front and back-of-house positions.

The BC SPCA’s new Animal Behaviour Centre has begun construction in North Cowichan and is expected to take about 18 months to complete. Once the facility is running, the BC SPCA intends to use it as a model for similar facilities in the Lower Mainland and Okanagan regions.

B.C. Housing and the City of Campbell River have opened 40 units of temporary supportive housing at the Homewood facility. The Government of B.C. will provide approximately $1.8 million in annual operating funding. The facility is expected to operate for three years while more permanent housing is built in the region.

The Government of British Columbia has announced the new indigenous Food Pathways program to support Indigenous food sovereignty and security. The program will provide up to $200K to Indigenous projects that develop food and agriculture businesses, expand training programs and address gaps that impact participation in the sector.

The Nellie McClung Library in Saanich will close on December 14 for redevelopment. The project will replace the existing library and add at least 200 rental units to the site. Demolition is set to begin in 2025, with construction expected to be completed by 2028.

Chrysalix Venture Capital has announced it is investing in Deadwood Innovations, a company that develops solutions to upgrade low-grade lumber into new products. The investment supports the creation of Deadwood’s first facility in Fort St. James.

The provincial government is collaborating with Modular BC and the B.C. Mayors Task Force to launch a new modular housing program. The initiative aims to standardize factory-built modular homes, provide affordable housing, and create manufacturing jobs.

The new Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace has officially opened, ahead of schedule, offering enhanced healthcare services to the community. The facility includes 82 beds, private rooms, an emergency department, and the latest diagnostic imaging equipment.

Okanagan College is collaborating with regional, provincial, and national tourism organizations to expand its programs in the food, beverage, and tourism sectors. A new Centre for Food, Wine, and Tourism will be built at the college's Kelowna campus, with construction set to begin in early 2025 and completed by 2027.

The Skaha Lake Splash Pad in Penticton is being replaced with a new design and water spray features. The $1.2M project is expected to open by summer 2025.

Douglas College is launching a new five-semester psychiatric nursing program in January 2026. The program is open to licensed practical nurses and will include a one-week residency and a 360-hour preceptorship.

FortisBC and the City of Vancouver are constructing a new renewable natural gas facility at the Vancouver Landfill in Delta. The facility will clean and process landfill gas and is expected to be operational by spring 2025.

The Neil Squire Society in Burnaby is launching a new program to support youth with disabilities find employment. The program will run until March 2028 and will offer personal and professional development opportunities, worksite visitations, and work experience.

The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy has announced $7.7M in total funding for 13 climate tech companies. The funds will support developing companies to create clean energy and climate solutions.

Island Health and the Pacific Public Health Foundation are offering up to $450,000 in mental health grants to support initiatives aimed at improving mental well-being and building resilience among youth on Vancouver Island. This is the third year of the grant program, which will accept applications until December 20.

The Government of Canada has announced more than $950,000 in funding through the Tourism Growth Program to support five organizations in Northern British Columbia. The funding aims to enhance outdoor recreation, promote smaller communities, and extend the tourism season. Supported projects include upgrades to ice and roller rinks, a golf course, the North Coast Ecology Centre Society, and various campground amenities.

The City of Vancouver is providing $350,000 to the Vancouver Music Fund to support Indigenous and underrepresented groups in the music and sound recording industry. Additionally, the city will collaborate with provincial organizations to offer Demo Recording and Business Foundations programs, with applications opening in January 2025.

Midas Vantage Projects (MVP) Lithium is partnering with UK-based Evove Ltd. to evaluate direct lithium extraction technology at its Montney assets in Alberta.

The Government of Alberta is committing up to $50M from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program to support the Alberta Drilling Accelerator through a public-private partnership model.

Qualico Communities has unveiled Canada's first residential house heated entirely by hydrogen, in Sherwood Park near Edmonton. According to ATCO hydrogen can be supplied using the existing infrastructure in Alberta. Qualico plans to start building out the Bremner community in 2025, comprised entirely of hydrogen powered homes.

Splitsville Entertainment is opening a new 21-lane bowling facility by fall 2025 at the Christy's Corner shopping centre in Edmonton. The location plans to give the bowling experience a modern twist, offering interactive bowling games, lane-side food and drink service, and VIP lanes.

The Government of Alberta is providing $5M through the Alberta Industry Skills Grant, a pilot program to address skill shortages.

The Government of Alberta is providing $5M through the Wetland Replacement Program to rehabilitate wetland areas around the province. The funding will support seven projects to restore wetlands or construct new wetlands to advance wildlife populations and strengthen ecosystem biodiversity.

Red Deer County has approved a 2025 capital budget of $53.4M that includes road construction, paving, a rest area expansion and airport runway improvements among other work.

Revolve Renewable Power Corp. is moving ahead with the first 20 MW phase of a recently acquired 30 MW solar project south of Edmonton and is expected to achieve "ready to build" status in early 2026. The project is expected to be developed in two phases of 20 MW and 10 MW.

The University of Waterloo in Ontario is exploring a partnership with Mount Royal University in Calgary to create a school of optometry in Alberta, the first in Western Canada. The Doctor of Optometry is a four-year professional program that requires a minimum of three years of university-level science studies prior to admission.

Green Impact Partners has reached commercial agreement on key terms to sequester the biogenic CO2 from the planned Future Energy Park in Calgary. The projected Engineering, Procurement and Construction costs for the project have increased to $1.5B. Construction is expected to start in 2025 with completion in three years.

The Government of Alberta is committing $25.2M for the new Mountview Health Complex in Beaverlodge. The facility, expected to open in 2028, will provide 24-7 urgent care services to Beaverlodge and surrounding communities.

NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) has started construction on the Berland River Compressor Station C3 Unit Addition. The project includes the installation of a new 30 MW electric motor-driven compressor and aerial coolers immediately adjacent to the existing Berland River Compressor Station located northwest of Edson.

Edmonton-based samdesk has entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Boston-based ProMED, the leading global producer of alerts of infectious disease warnings.

Rogers Sugar in Taber is currently in the processing stage of its 2024 sugar beet campaign that is expected to be completed by the end of February 2025.

Calgary-based Questor Technology Inc., an environmental emissions reduction technology company, has secured a $1.7M contract to supply a clean combustion unit in Libya.  The project will eliminate gas flaring and create the potential to monetize the heat generated from clean combustion.

E3 Lithium Ltd., a Calgary-based lithium brine technology company, has received approval from Mountain View County for a commercial lithium production facility. The project is expecting to hire for drilling, construction, and operational roles.

A variety of full-time and part-time jobs are currently available in Edmonton ranging from retail to engineering to trades occupations.

Calgary-based Litus, a nanotechnology company, has successfully completed scale-up lithium extraction with its pilot process. The pilot is designed to be transported on-site and is designed to be easily scaled up to commercial level.

The Government of Alberta has approved design funding for three Edmonton school projects. Seven projects have also been approved for construction funding, including for the replacement of Spruce Grove Composite High School, as well as ones in Barrhead, Wainwright, Breton, Mallaig, Redcliff and Taber.

Flair Airlines is hiring for Customer Experience Ambassadors for seasonal jobs available at the airports in Calgary and Edmonton. The positions run from December 1, 2024, to January 6, 2025.

CHES Special Risk Inc. has opened an office in Edmonton as it expands to offer specialized insurance coverage for oil and gas contractors, welders, and related trades.

Four independent nurse practitioners are now practicing in the Lakeland region, seeing patients in Cold Lake, Two Hills, Vegreville, and Vermilion.

A new hotel, the Hampton Inn by Hilton – Calgary Downtown, is set to open in spring 2025. The 151-room hotel is hiring with expectations of approximately 50 staff in total.

Kiwetinohk Energy Corp. is planning to build the natural-gas fired, 460 megawatt Flipi Gas Fired Generation Project in Clearwater County, Alberta, about 18 km southwest of Rimbey. The project will have carbon capture capability and include a 240-kilovolt substation linked to the province's energy grid through an existing transmission line.

Bankside Properties is partnering with the Sumus Property Group to build two six-storey buildings in downtown Calgary. Construction on the $60M project is expected to start in late 2025.

Calgary-based AltaGas Ltd. is planning a 2025 capital program of approximately $1.4B with a split of about 51 percent of 2025 capital to its Utilities business and 45 percent to its Midstream business. Part of the midstream capital will support export capacity development at Prince Rupert and gas processing facilities in Alberta.

The Alberta Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Ulsan Free Economic Zone Authority (UFEZA) to advance technological and economic cooperation between two of the world’s leading industrial regions. The agreement includes collaboration on low-carbon industrial development and a hydrogen economy.

The University of Alberta has reopened the Rehabilitation Medicine satellite program at its Augustana campus in Camrose.

Calgary-based Midas Vantage Projects (MVP) Lithium is advancing evaluation of its Saskatchewan lithium brine assets with further exploration and development plans to assess the commercial viability of the site.

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has opened its first Rosie's Burgers restaurant in Calgary.

Helium Evolution in partnership with North American Helium Inc. is moving ahead to complete, test and evaluate a recently drilled well at Mankota, SK for the presence of helium.

Perfect Pixel Pro, a global advertising and marketing agency based in India, has opened an office in Alberta as part of a wider expansion across North America.

ATCO EnPower, a division of Canadian Utilities Limited and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have completed construction on hydrogen production and refueling facilities for its fuel cell locomotives in Calgary and Edmonton.

First Helium Inc. is planning to drill two vertical Leduc oil targets at its Worsley property. The company is in the process of licensing for both locations and intends to optimize drilling costs through a two-well drilling program in succession.

Calgary-based E2E Energy Solutions Inc. has been granted patents for its Enhanced Geothermal Reservoir Recovery System (EGRRS) in Canada and the United States.

Enterprise Group has successfully deployed its flare gas use and mitigation technologies for a client in Alberta to produce power at the site for local use and to support other infrastructure requirements.

The Government of Alberta is spending $23M to create the Northern Alberta Youth Recovery Centre that will be housed in half of what is currently the Edmonton Young Offenders Centre. The 105-bed facility is expected to open in 2026.

IndyGen is planning to build a solar farm with 30,000 panels and nameplate capacity of 200 megawatts in southern Alberta. It was approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission on September 5, 2024, with a completion date in January 2026.

The Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC) is projecting a 7.3 percent increase in well drilling in 2025 over 2024 levels and the highest levels of drilling activity and associated jobs since 2015 in its latest forecast. Jobs in the sector are expected to rise to 41,800 – an increase of 2,720 (7.0%) from 2024 (39,080).

Calgary-based Enbridge anticipates adding $7B in capital, excluding maintenance capital, in 2025 to its inventory of ongoing projects across its global footprint.

Employment in the Canadian energy exploration and production sector reached 112,000 in October 2024, a 10-year high, according to a recent report from BMO Capital Markets. The oil and gas services sector reported a 16.6 percent increase in jobs form the previous year.

Calgary-based Eguana Technologies inc., a developer and manufacturer of energy storage solutions, has partnered with BC Hydro in a pilot program that will install energy storage systems in 200 customer homes. The systems will form part of a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) that will help strengthen the local power grid and alleviate fluctuatio9ns in peak electricity load demand.

Endy, Canada's leading online mattress brand, is opening its first ever Western Canadian store at South Edmonton Common in Edmonton.

The City of Calgary is currently hiring for a variety of professional occupations, ranging from engineer to lawyer.

United Airlines is adding two direct flights from Edmonton to Houston and Chicago starting in May 2025. The flights to Houston will start with four weekly flights in the summer and increase to daily winter flights.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has launched its first railroad in western Canada, Red Deer Railway Limited. The railroad’s 10 employees serve customers in the energy industry.

Calgary-based MEG Energy Corp. is planning to spend $635M in capital in 2025, including $70M for turnaround activities and $130M for the Facility Expansion Project at its Christina Lake oil sands site in Alberta.

Walmart Canada is partnering with DoorDash Canada to offer delivery from Walmart Supercentres to customers homes through DoorDash’s app or website. Delivery services will be available in all 10 provinces.

Logan Energy Corp. has added $17M to its 2024 capital budget to a reach revised total of $157M following the acquisition of new assets in Alberta. Logan has also set a 2025 capital budget of $195M that includes drilling and infrastructure work at Pouce Coupe.

Canada Post (CP) has presented the Canadian Union of Postal Workers with a new framework it hopes will achieve a negotiated settlement to the strike (now in its third week) of 55,000 postal workers. The framework includes proposals to bring greater flexibility to CP’s delivery model and shows movement on other key issues.

T3 Transit, who provides rural bus service on the Island, has bought new motorcoaches for some of its routes. The average daily ridership is up 35% over 2023 and T3 is expanding its service to Three Rivers, with extra routes to Georgetown and Montague.

Health P.E.I. plans to extend free virtual care to all patients in the province, not just the 35,000 people who do not have access to a family doctor. The agency hopes to expand the virtual care program at a cost of around $10M per year starting next fall.

The City of Summerside is moving ahead with plans to build a new $11M fire station. The project is set to go to tender in fall 2025, with construction expected to begin in 2026. The station will have an enhanced training space and decontamination area.

Ambulance calls on the Island have risen by more than a third over the past five years, resulting in higher wait times. P.E.I. has a shortage of paramedics, which the province is trying to fix by paying tuition fees for students enrolled in paramedicine.

Lobster fishing that started in Areas 33 and 34 is not yielding as much volume as expected, according to the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU). The MFU fears that its members have lost income. This is mainly due to climate change.

Canada Post (CP) has presented the The Canadian Union of Postal Workers with a new framework it hopes will achieve a negotiated settlement to the strike (now in its third week) of 55,000 postal workers. The framework includes proposals to bring greater flexibility to CP’s delivery model and shows movement on other key issues.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approved a federal plan to save Nova Scotia Power from financial difficulties. For reference, the federal government granted a loan guarantee of $500M to the Nova Scotian electricity distributor two months ago.

A new survey data from Statistics Canada shows recruiting skilled employees along with rising costs of creating products and services are the obstacles most widely expected by Nova Scotia businesses heading into 2025.

Business Openings: Be Chic (Dartmouth), EFES (Bedford Highway) and One to One (Halifax); Closures: EFES Turkish (Halifax), Jean’s Chinese (Halifax), Casablanca (Halifax) and Cleve’s (Park Lane Mall/Halifax).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed that the Dermo disease, also known as Perkinsosis, was present in oyster samples that were collected in Merigomish. This is the first confirmed case of the parasite in the province and the second confirmed case in Canada.

The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) and NL Hydro have signed a 6-year Relationship Framework Agreement that addresses important areas such as environmental protection, training and employment, procurement, and opportunities in the renewable energy sector for NunatuKavut businesses and NCC’s business arm, Nunacor.

Canada Post (CP) has presented the The Canadian Union of Postal Workers with a new framework it hopes will achieve a negotiated settlement to the strike (now in its third week) of 55,000 postal workers. The framework includes proposals to bring greater flexibility to CP’s delivery model and shows movement on other key issues.

ProActive Wellness Centre's new on demand virtual service connecting N.L. patients with doctors is easing emergency room pressure by offering virtual medical appointments for people without a family doctor for acute ailments. They have clinics in the St. John's region and as far as Clarenville, providing massage therapy, physiotherapy, psychiatry, family doctors and more.

During November 2024, 5 well-established restaurants in the St. John's area have announced they plan to close or have closed already, including Pi Gourmet, Bad Bones Ramen, Chinched Restaurant and Deli, The Nook and Cannery and Curry Delight in Mount Pearl. Reasons cited include inflation/cost of living and decreased customer numbers.

The Dildo Brewing Company is expanding as it just opened a new production facility in a former fishplant that will nearly triple its beer production. About 90% of its tap sales happen on-site during the tourism season.

Canada Post (CP) has presented the Canadian Union of Postal Workers with a new framework it hopes will achieve a negotiated settlement to the strike (now in its third week) of 55,000 postal workers. The framework includes proposals to bring greater flexibility to CP’s delivery model and shows movement on other key issues.

The Saint John Tool Library has launched a micro-credentials construction training program called Hammers 2 Homes. The six-week program will provide paid training to people facing barriers to housing and employment, who will work on affordable housing units.

New Brunswick’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors will receive over $38M in provincial and federal funding through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. The money will go toward adopting new technology to improve efficiency, seafood quality and sustainability.

Port Saint John is in the process of installing two more container cranes at the port, bringing the total to six. DP World Canada, which operates the container terminal, says the extra cranes will mean even more growth and additional jobs at the port.

About 9,950 N.B. nurses will receive $10K in retention bonuses by the end of 2024. Most registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nurse managers and supervisors will receive the payments, except for LPNs with CUPE and casual workers.

Two Garage Central car dealerships closed suddenly in the Atholville area of Campbellton. According to documents filed with the Court of King’s Bench of Saint John, as of July 31, 2024, Garage Central and CGL Auto Inc. had defaulted on over $6M in payments to RBC. It is estimated that around 50 jobs will be lost.

Fredericton has conducted a preliminary feasibility study, which lays out a subdivision plan for more than 3,000 units on the city's southeast edge. About 77% of the proposed development area is city-owned and construction could begin in 2026 if approved.

The N.B. Teachers' Association says the province needs to address recruitment and retention of teachers in the province and wants to see the number of education seats increased. It is projected that 1,200 teachers will retire over the next four years.

Custom Foam Systems Ltd., a foam product manufacturer, is investing $7.5M with support from the provincial government for the expansion of its 30,000-sq.-ft. Kitchener manufacturing facility, creating 35 jobs

Rieker Shoe Canada Ltd., a shoe and boot manufacturer, opened a 100,000-sq.-ft. facility serving as a warehouse, retail outlet store, and national headquarters, employing about 30 people in Bradford

FANUC Canada, Ltd., an automation and robotics company, opened a 73,000-sq.-ft. headquarters in Mississauga. The facility includes a sales, robotics, engineering support and customer service team.

Walmart is opening a Supercentre in Port Credit, Mississauga in 2025, with plans for another location in the Greater Toronto Area

Tesla opened a new service and retail center at Hamilton's CF Lime Ridge Mall

The provincial government is investing over $92M in more than 200 research projects in universities, colleges, research institutes and research hospitals across Ontario

The federal and provincial government invested over $1.9M to help build 24 affordable homes in Hamilton

Hamilton’s McMaster University received $4M from the federal government to create a new Centre for Collaborative Chemistry to accelerate the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products

Construction has begun on a 1,484-unit housing project that will include 520 affordable rental homes next to Wilson Station in Toronto. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2029.

Highstreet by Delhi Gang, an Indian restaurant, opened in London

Five northern Ontario-based film production companies received $2.5M from the provincial government to support film projects

Nike opened a flagship store in downtown Toronto

Aura Cocktail Nightclub opened in downtown London

World's Finest Chocolate Canada Company is investing $80M into the expansion of its factory in Campbellford that is expected to be completed by 2026, creating 35 new jobs. It is also closing its Campbellford outlet by the end of 2025.

Timmins Learning Centre Inc. received $135K from the provincial government to hire staff to support child and adult learning programs in Timmins

The federal government is investing $262.2M to support the construction of 691 new homes in northern and Indigenous communities across Ontario

York Metal Products Inc., a metal parts manufacturer, will invest $4.2M with support from the provincial government to design and manufacture leak-proof transformer assemblies in Thornhill, creating 18 jobs

The 2025 World Aquatics Diving World Cup will take place in Windsor next April

TVO, Ontario’s public broadcaster, laid off 16 unionized workers, including journalists from the online print news desk

Sheridan College, with campuses in Brampton, Mississauga, and Oakville, is reducing its workforce by 700 full-time positions through layoffs and voluntary incentive programs

The provincial government is investing an additional $100M over two years into the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, bringing the total to $600M by 2026, to support municipalities across Ontario

Belleville Transit added 5 new buses to meet increased service demands, creating six bus driver jobs

The Biryaniwalla, an Indian restaurant, opened in downtown Niagara Falls

The D’Amore Group and Petretta Construction will break ground on a $200M development in the Town of LaSalle in early 2025. Upon completion, the project will add over 250,000-sq.-ft. of retail space and create 400 to 500 new jobs.

Redwood Bean and Brew, a social enterprise café, opened in Orillia

Verly Construction Group Inc. was awarded a contract of more than $2.89M from Wellington County Council to complete improvements to the Elora Waste Facility

APAG Elektronik Corp. expanded its Windsor operations by opening a new 4,000-sq.-ft. research and development facility, employing 14 people. The company plans to grow its workforce to around 30 next year.

Shoppers Drug Mart is opening a 17,000-sq.-ft. location in Downtown Toronto in late 2025

Big Country Raw Ltd., a pet food manufacturer and retailer, is investing $8.9M to expand its facility in Smithville, creating over 16 full-time jobs and additional part-time jobs

Patlon Aircraft and Industries Limited, a technical parts manufacturer headquartered in Georgetown, received $30M from Irving Shipbuilding Inc. to support the construction of the river-class destroyer fleet

The Gribouillis childcare centre in Louiseville is receiving more than $3M from Quebec's ministère de la Famille for its construction. The childcare centre will have 60 spaces for the children of employees at the Canadel company, which is a local furniture manufacturer.

Several retailers at the Galeries Joliette, a mall in that municipality, are hiring

The Municipalité de Saint-Germain-de-Grantham announced that it will invest $3.4M in upgrading its fire station

Cinémas Guzzo was forced to close its location in Dollard-des-Ormeaux due to financial difficulties

Monarch Specialties, a furniture and home décor wholesaler, is investing $50M in expanding its location in Laval. Local builder MONTONI Group will carry out the project.

The EMD-Batimo Group, a builder and property manager, is investing $146M in the construction of two Lib residential buildings. A condo building in Pointe-Claire will have 205 units, and the other building in Mont-Saint-Hilaire will have 132 condo units. They will be delivered in the spring of 2026.

Olymbec, a real estate rental agency, received around $364M from the Government of Canada to build 989 homes in Montréal. The units will be split across four projects: Quartier Dalia, Aria - Projet Voltige, Lynk and Trantor mtl 3.

The EMD-Batimo Group, a builder and property manager, is investing $146M in the construction of two Lib residential buildings. A condo building in Pointe-Claire will have 205 units, and the other building in Mont-Saint-Hilaire will have 132 condo units. They will be delivered in the spring of 2026.

Toys "R" Us, a chain of toy stores, announced that it will be closing its location in Drummondville and laying off many employees

The Ville de Laval will open its new aquatic complex on December 14 following an investment of nearly $130M

P.E.I. potato producers say that if the U.S. goes ahead with a proposed 25% tariff, it would hurt the Island’s potato industry and increase prices for U.S. consumers. Almost 80% of P.E.I.’s international exports go to the U.S., with an annual value of $1.8B.

Physiotherapists in P.E.I. with specialized training can now order X-rays to optimize the use of health care resources. This expanded scope of practice is the result of a joint initiative between the Department of Health and Wellness, Health P.E.I., the P.E.I. Physiotherapy Association, and the P.E.I. College of Physiotherapy.

The P.E.I. Nurses' Union which represents about 100 nurse practitioners on the Island, have seen their role grow. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with extra training and earn between $58 to $68 an hour, with many providing primary patient care.

The Charlottetown Airport Authority reports that WestJet and Flair are cutting back on P.E.I. flights next summer. Flair Airlines won't offer any flights, while WestJet is cutting three weekly flights to Toronto and instead will focus on western Canada.

The Canada Revenue Agency has laid off about 25 temporary employees on Prince Edward Island and 126 staff across the Atlantic region. Many of the staff being cut were hired in January 2023 and worked as debt collectors.

The Truro Brewing Company will close in December adding to 9 craft brewery closures in the province over the past 18 months. Factors cited include a saturated wholesale market competing with the bigger breweries that are already established with bars and restaurants and smaller craft breweries challenges regarding NSLC.

As Canada Post unionized workers enter the second week of a national strike, some small businesses in Nova Scotia are experiencing a holiday sales decrease with some adapting the way they ship their products. About 55,000 postal workers went on strike on November 15 citing wages and benefits as the main issues.

Fish harvesters aboard 1,450 boats participating in Canada’s largest lobster fishery set their traps on Tuesday, November 26, off southern N.S. in lobster fishing areas 33 and 34. In 2023–2024, these two fishing areas had a total of 24,000 tonnes of lobster landings with a landed value of approximately $558M.

A new $457M organics waste facility in Halifax (Goodwood) is open and has replaced two aging sites, handling all waste from across the capital region, and turning food waste into high-grade compost. Harbour City Renewables was awarded the contract in 2020 to design, build and operate the facility for 25 years with options to extend to 35 years.

Business Openings: Xpresso Café, Chai Samosa and Marks Angels (Bedford), Crumbl and Be Chic (Dartmouth), Quesada, Vintage Mansion, Urban Barn (2025) and Da Zero (Halifax), One to One (Fairview), and The Commons on Portland (Portland Hills/2025); Closures: Thinkkitchen & Stokes (all HRM locations) and Taishan (two Halifax locations).

The Amalgamated Transit Union estimates that roughly 20% of Halifax Transit drivers could be affected if their temporary work permits are not renewed or if those drivers don’t become permanent residents before their permits expire that could severely challenge the transit system in 2025. HRM could lose 100-150 drivers, operators, and mechanics.

North Atlantic is establishing community office hours around its proposed 320 MW wind farm development east of Sunnyside which will power a green hydrogen generation plant. The plant will have the capacity to produce 30,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year.

N.L. has recorded its highest lobster landings ever this past season with dramatic increases in catch rates in communities where few existed before. Factors believed to be having an impact include abiding by federal regulations around undersized lobsters and harvesters voluntarily protecting female lobsters over the past 20 years.

The N.L. Government is investing $13M towards a new sports and well-being dome that will be situated on the same site as the replacement St. Clare's Hospital in St. John’s. It will provide exercise rehabilitation for acute care patients as well as training for provincial-level athletes and teams and general public use.

The City of St. John’s has reached a new collective agreement with the International Association of Firefighters local 1075 that is retroactive to January 1, 2023, and goes to December 31, 2026. It includes a wage increase of 7% over 4 years.

A new Marine Institute study looking at the future of snow crab, flounder, and cod stocks indicates that a warming climate will have a significant impact in the coming decades. Snow crab is expected to decline by 60% on the Grand Banks while flounder is also expected to decline. Much better outcomes are expected for Atlantic Cod.

Flair Airlines has announced it is dropping both Deer Lake and St. John’s as destinations for 2025. The company says it is scaling back or cutting service in some Canadian markets in an effort to bring more frequency to other routes and are unsure if they will return to the province at some point in the future.

Over 60 internationally educated foreign nurses from India are waiting for work as registered nurses in the St. John's area, with some waiting nearly a year so far. Despite a shortage of nurses, N.L. Health Services says there are limited permanent full-time positions for registered nurses in St. John's, which the N.L. Registered Nurses' Union has raised questions about.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has found two oyster diseases in southeast N.B., which are harmful to oysters, but not to humans. This is the first appearance of the disease in N.B., but other infected areas have made changes to lessen the mortality rate.

A pilot digital transcription project using artificial intelligence is being explored by around 100 doctors in N.B. The tool could save doctors 60 to 90 minutes per day, allowing them to see two to four additional patients. The New Brunswick Medical Society ensured that the tool is compliant with Canadian privacy laws.

Construction is underway on a new $28M regional multipurpose centre in Hampton, which will include an NHL-sized ice surface, a lounge, community room and a three-lane walking track. It is hoped that the new facility will open in the fall of 2025.

New Brunswick’s premier stated that if the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on all products from Canada, it would be devastating for provincial businesses, communities and the economy. The premier noted that 92% of exports from N.B. go to the United States.

The New Brunswick Real Estate Board says demand for home sales increased in October by 12% compared to last year. Home sales were up 43% in Saint John, 15% in the Northern and Valley Regions, 5.5% in Fredericton, and down 3.2% in Moncton.

Both the Moncton and Fredericton airports are reporting strong numbers for 2024. The Moncton Airport had over 578,000 passengers up to the end of October, while Fredericton expects to have 380,000 passengers for the year – 15% higher than 2023.

Dieppe announced that it reached an agreement to expand its industrial park by 2 million square feet. The agreement, valued at $125M, is between Expansion Dieppe, an economic development agency, and Montoni, a real estate group. In a statement, Montoni said that the project will generate nearly 500 local jobs.

Boogles Playhouse, a childcare facility, has opened in the Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga

The Go-Give project, a nonprofit charitable organization in Sudbury, received $508K from the City of Sudbury to support a new overnight warming centre until the end of April

Custom Foam Systems is investing $7.5M, with $1.1M in support from the provincial government, to expand its Kitchener facility, creating 35 jobs

JD Sports, a sportswear store, is opening in the Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga

Fheny, a luxury goods retail store, will open in December in Ottawa

Jimmy Choo opened a location in Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre

The federal government is investing an additional $20M over four years to support winter road maintenance for First Nation communities across Northern Ontario

The County of Renfrew, The City of Pembroke, the Town of Petawawa, and the Township of Laurentian Valley contributed a total of $240K to the new warming centre for the homeless in Pembroke

The Sudbury Women’s Centre received $540K from the federal government to support its new 36-month Breaking Down Barriers program, aimed at creating gender equity in the workforce

Superior Resources Inc., a forestry service company in Thunder Bay, received $360K from the provincial government to support equipment acquisitions, business operations, and the hiring of five new workers

KBM Forestry Consultants Inc. and Embark Port Services Ltd. received $366.4K from the provincial government to support expansion efforts and job creation in Thunder Bay

Windsor Essex Community Health Centre opened a new clinic, offering expanded primary care services

Altea Active, a physical fitness and wellness club, opened a new 129,000-sq.-ft. gym facility in Ottawa, creating nearly 200 jobs

Westjet is increasing service flights from Ottawa to Calgary and Edmonton in 2025

The federal government is investing over $12M in six southern Ontario manufacturers in the EV Sector to expand production capabilities and adopt new equipment

Mejuri Inc., opened a location in the Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga

National, an entertainment bar, is opening at the Well in downtown Toronto

NeNe Chicken, a Korean fried chicken restaurant chain, opened a location in Mississauga

Toys "R" Us is closing a location in Mississauga

Domtar Inc., a sawmill company in Ignace, will reduce its operating hours, affecting 20 mill workers and 8 external workers

Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services, an Indigenous-led organization, has opened a new 7,000-sq.-ft. facility in Sudbury to support Indigenous youth transitioning out of foster care and child welfare

McKevitt Trucking Limited headquartered in Thunder Bay has closed all its offices across Ontario

A McDonalds opened in Elora, creating 75 jobs

Perla Fresh Foods Market, a Middle Eastern grocery store, opened in downtown Guelph

Guelph General Hospital is eliminating up to 39 personal support worker positions over the next five months

Landmark Cinemas opened a premium eight-theatre cinema in Windsor

Rogers Media Inc. laid off more than two dozen employees, including journalists, managers, and administrative staff, in its radio and podcasting divisions

Zara closed its Queen Street location in Toronto

Understance, a lingerie clothing company, opened a location in Bloor West Village in Toronto

The federal government has invested approximately $6.7M in four ecological corridor projects in Ontario, designed to improve connectivity between protected and conserved areas while supporting biodiversity conservation

The Bloom Coffee, a Middle Eastern inspired cafe, opened in Hamilton

The federal and provincial governments are investing up to $1.5M to help minority groups start and build businesses in the agri-food sector in Ontario

Coboconk, Norland and Area Chamber of Commerce, with support from the provincial government, are investing $1M towards renovation of the Coboconk Train Station to transform it into a multi-use community hub and business incubator

The provincial government is investing $9.2M in Indigenous businesses, communities, and organizations to help develop infrastructure, create growth plans, and support access to skills training

The provincial government will invest $510M over the next three years to educate new nurses and increase opportunities for current nurses to access specialized training

Mohawk College in Hamilton expects to lay off between 200 and 400 employees, including administration, faculty, and support staff, starting early December

The Government of Canada is investing up to $25.2M in four projects to support both shore-power and alternative fuel solutions in the marine sector in Ontario

No Frills is opening a location in Scarborough, Toronto

Hitachi Rail, with support from the provincial government, is investing over $100M to upgrade rail signalling technology at its North York office, creating 100 new jobs and retaining 1,000 positions in research and development and engineering

The Government of Canada is investing $13.6M in nine research projects to advance the commercial development of small modular reactors. Six of these projects are located in Ontario, specifically in Kingston, Ottawa, Toronto, Pickering, and Etobicoke.

The City of Windsor and three local businesses in the Town of Tecumseh are investing $19.8M, with support from the provincial government, to boost manufacturing in the area, creating 29 new jobs

Leamington’s manufacturer, UE Enclosures Inc., will receive a $500K grant from the provincial government towards its multi-million-dollar expansion, creating 24 jobs

The provincial government is investing over $16.8M to support various economic development projects and businesses across Northern Ontario

The Boathouse, a restaurant and live music venue, in downtown Kitchener re-opened after two years of renovations

The provincial government is investing over $4.2M in training programs at Blue Branch Inc. and the John Howard Society to train 340 workers in Hamilton. About 100 of these individuals will be trained to build a six-unit residential building.

The Nunavut government announced its Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Quality Framework Action Plan, to be implemented from 2024 to 2033. The plan includes enhancing the ELCC workforce through several initiatives including expanding early childhood educator certification in collaboration with Nunavut Arctic College and creating a team to provide in-person and virtual training.

Canada Post workers in the Yukon joined in the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) nation-wide strike on November 19, due to job cuts, extended work hours, and reduced benefits. CUPW is seeking a 24% wage increase over four years, while Canada Post has offered a 11.5% wage increase. Deliveries and operations are halted during the strike.

A new wage grid for licensed child care centre workers came into effect in the Northwest Territories on November 14. The wage grid is an amendment to the territorial government’s NWT Early Learning and Child Care Regulations. A new certification process was added to the Regulations, requiring child care workers at centres to be certified.

The Yukon government is providing $74,900 to 19 community projects for youth. The projects include various recreational, artistic, and cultural activities located in Carcross, Dawson, Teslin, Watson Lake, Whitehorse, Faro and Ross River.

Over 20 Indigenous governments in the Northwest Territories signed a new $375M funding agreement for Indigenous-led, long-term conservation efforts, effective mid-2025. The draft agreement includes creating government jobs and a process to determine funding allocation and use. Non-conservation activities may qualify for funding, such as eco-tourism, climate research, and emergency planning.

The Conference Board of Canada forecasts a positive labour market outlook in the Yukon from 2024-2045. Over the next 20 years, the territory’s workforce is forecasted to grow by 10%, with 14% employment growth in non-commercial services and 11% in commercial services. Demand for workers is projected to be high in health, education, and service sectors.

The NWT Film Commission and the NWT Media Producers Association are collaborating to launch the Northern Canada Producer Launcher to train inexperienced individuals for the film and TV industry. Access Canada will run the program in February 2025 for 10 accepted applicants from the NWT, Yukon or Nunavut.

A new wellness and movement studio, The Den, opened in Fort Smith on November 4. The studio offers yoga and meditation classes as well as other movement-based classes that emphasize joint health and mobility. The owner hopes to introduce self-defence and maternal pelvic health programs in the future.

Cowessess First Nation and Innagreen Investments' Bekevar Wind Facility recently added 200 MW of emissions-free energy to Saskatchewan's power grid — enough to power 100,000 homes. This upgrade is part of SaskPower's plan to add 3,000 MW of renewable energy by 2035.

Whitecap Resources, an oil company based in Calgary, is leading the Belle Plaine Carbon Hub (BPCH), a new carbon sequester project in Saskatchewan. Construction is now underway, and the facility is expected to be operational by late 2025 or early 2026. The project is part of a broader initiative to create jobs in construction, CO2 injection, and related industries.

The federal government is providing $38M to bring high-speed internet to over 3,600 homes in 14 remote, rural, and Indigenous communities across Manitoba through Indigenous-led projects. This initiative, part of the Universal Broadband Fund, aims to bridge connectivity gaps, fostering economic growth, educational opportunities, and increased access to healthcare in underserved areas.

Raising the Roof, a Toronto-based charity, has purchased a 24-unit apartment block in Winnipeg’s West End neighbourhood, and intends to convert it to affordable housing. The organization plans to begin the renovation in 2025, employing workers through a local social enterprise that trains Indigenous people at risk of homelessness.

True North Foods recently completed a $14M expansion at its Carman beef production plant. The increased capacity will allow the company to process 2,000 cattle per week, up from the current 700 or 800. The expansion also includes new technology that converts organic waste into thermal energy.

The Manitoba government is providing $47M to upgrade the Rivers Dam, enhancing its capacity to manage extreme flooding and improving climate resilience. This project aims to support the safety of rural communities, protects businesses and homes, and promotes economic stability in regions vulnerable to flooding. The upgrade is anticipated to be complete by 2027.

Staff departures at Winnipeg’s Transit Plus have led to longer wait times for passengers with disabilities who need accommodation assessments. Winnipeg Transit says five occupational therapists have left Transit Plus this year, leading the organization to contract out the work of assessing passengers’ needs.

Scotiabank is providing $125,000 toward agriculture research at Assiniboine Community College. The project is focused on adapting farming practices to improve crop yields, increase profits, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and sequester large amounts of carbon.

WestJet's summer 2025 schedule includes a 19% increase in seat capacity for Winnipeg travelers, the extension of Winnipeg-Orlando service to year round, and the return of the Winnipeg-Nashville route for the summer season. These enhancements boost Manitoba's air connectivity, supporting tourism, business travel, and economic growth in the province.