This supernatural thing
Over the last decade, the average home price in Niagara has skyrocketed from $230,000 to a staggering $630,000. The power of the mighty Niagara Falls is definitely going beyond nature.
While often viewed strictly as a real estate crisis, the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) warns this housing crunch has triggered a dangerous domino effect for local commerce, making it nearly impossible for small businesses to attract talent, while driving up wage pressures and local inflation.
To combat this and other compounding challenges, the GNCC has launched an aggressive advocacy campaign to champion Main Street enterprises at every level of government.
With small businesses making up 98% of Niagara’s economy, the Chamber is sounding the alarm that if workers can’t afford to live here, local businesses can’t afford to operate.
“Small businesses aren’t just line items on an economic report—they are our neighbors, our innovators, and the primary job creators in Niagara,” said Hugo Chesshire, Director of Policy and Government Relations at the GNCC.
“Our message to leaders is clear: if you support small business, you support the future of Niagara.”
The GNCC’s comprehensive advocacy framework targets the critical pain points currently keeping local business owners up at night:
Innovative Housing Solutions:
The GNCC is pushing for smart, innovative housing policies that build more—and more affordable—housing options to help stabilize the local workforce and ease inflationary pressures.
Cutting Red Tape:
Red tape and governance really matter Ontario has around 350,000 regulatory requirements, and that’s in addition to federal and municipal rules.
Most businesses encounter only a fraction, but reducing the regulatory burden and making regulations easier to comply with for businesses are a priority for business success.
Agriculture, agri-food, and beverage alcohol
Niagara’s agricultural sector supports 24,000 jobs and contributes $1.71 billion to the local economy. We grow two-thirds of Ontario’s tender fruit, 90% of its grapes, and 80% of Canada’s grapes and wine. Supporting Niagara agriculture is crucial not just to our community, but for Canada’s food security
Tax and Financial Relief:
The Chamber is actively lobbying for reduced tax burdens through smarter government service delivery and sound fiscal management so small businesses can keep more of their revenue.
Power of Tourism
Niagara welcomes 13 million visitors every year who spend $2.4 billion in the local economy and support 40,000 jobs. Our policies aim not only to support Niagara tourism, but to help it grow and prosper, and branch out into new, emerging tourism niches.
Boost the $100B Trade and logistics sector
Nearly $100B in freight crosses the border here every year, and almost 80% of the St. Lawrence Seaway’s traffic passes through the Welland Canal.
Over 600 Niagara businesses export a total of over $800B a year. Even amid global uncertainty, the Chamber aims to grow these numbers and further boost Trade and logistics
Workforce Training Support:
To help businesses adapt, the GNCC is championing initiatives like an Ontario SME Training Tax Credit to financially offset the costs small businesses face when upskilling staff.
Jordan Ammendolia, Membership Engagement Manager, pointed out that: As Niagara navigates ongoing economic uncertainties, the GNCC is inviting small business owners to join the conversation, share their unique challenges, and ensure their voices are heard directly in the halls of power.
