Hello and welcome to our latest newsletter!

We’re excited to bring you fresh updates, important news, and opportunities that matter to our community. Whether you’re a long-time member or new to our network, this is your space to stay connected, informed, and inspired.

In this edition, we’ll cover the recent federal election results, spotlight local representatives making a difference, and share upcoming events designed to help you grow and thrive.

Thank you for being part of our vibrant community — together, we’re building a stronger future.

Enjoy the read!

Here is a sneak peak at what we have to share with you this month.

• New From the Chamber - Upcoming Events
• News Updates
• Township News
• Community News
• Business Tips and Resources
• Advocacy
• Member to Member
• Chamber Member Benefits

Liberal Party Wins 2025 Federal Election: What Comes Next for Canada

April 28, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in Canadian politics as the Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, secured a fourth consecutive term in government. Though falling just shy of a majority, the Liberals will form a strong minority government, reshaping the national conversation around affordability, housing, healthcare, and economic stability.

Election Results at a Glance

• Liberal Party: 169 seats
• Conservative Party: 144 seats
• Bloc Québécois: 22 seats
• NDP: 7 seats
• Green Party: 1 seat

Notably, both Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh lost their seats, triggering internal reviews and potential leadership changes within their respective parties.

Voter Turnout

Canadians demonstrated renewed political engagement, with voter turnout reaching 68.7%, the highest recorded since 1993. Over 19.5 million voters cast ballots, underscoring a collective call for action on pressing issues such as housing, healthcare, and the economy.

Liberal Platform: “Getting the Basics Right”

Prime Minister Mark Carney ran on a platform titled “Getting the Basics Right: A Plan to Do More for You.” Here are a few highlights: ( for the entire document please click title in blue)

Affordability & Taxation

• A reduction of the lowest income tax bracket from 15% to 14%, estimated to save a dual-income household up to $825 annually.
• Elimination of the GST on new homes under $1 million for first-time buyers.

Housing

• A bold plan to double the pace of housing construction, with a goal of building nearly 500,000 new homes annually over the next decade.
• Creation of a federal housing entity to expedite affordable developments.

Healthcare & Social Policy

• Introduction of universal pharmacare and expansion of the federal dental care program.
• Maintenance and potential expansion of the $10-a-day childcare program, with plans to extend coverage to before- and after-school care.

Small Business & Trade

• Reduction of red tape and targeted tax relief for small businesses.
• Establishment of a “Fight Tariffs Fund” to protect Canadian industries from international trade tensions, particularly with the U.S.

Defense & Foreign Policy

• Commitment to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP target on defense by 2030.
• Strengthened investment in Arctic defense and emerging technologies.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber of Commerce both acknowledged that the Liberal platform reflected several key policy priorities of the business community, including support for small enterprises, housing affordability, and workforce development.

New Cabinet Appointments

With a renewed mandate, Prime Minister Carney has begun shaping his cabinet to reflect national priorities. Here are a few appointments:

1. Heath MacDonald – Minister of Agriculture

MacDonald focuses on resolving trade disputes with China and the U.S. to protect Canadian farmers and strengthen agricultural exports.

2. Rechie Valdez – Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Valdez supports small businesses, promotes gender equality, and advances tourism to boost economic growth.

3. Dominic LeBlanc – President of the King’s Privy Council and Minister for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, and One Canadian Economy

LeBlanc manages Canada-U.S. trade and intergovernmental relations, key to the economic ties of regions like West Lincoln and Niagara.

(For a more extensive list click the heading in blue)

Federal MP of Niagara West

Dean Allison was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Niagara West, a position he has held since 2004. He has deep ties to the community, having served as president of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.

What’s Next?

With a strong minority, Prime Minister Carney will likely need to build coalitions across party lines to enact key legislation. The mandate is clear: Canadians want progress on housing, affordability, and healthcare—and they’ll be watching closely.

As the new government takes shape, business leaders, community stakeholders, and everyday Canadians alike are eager to see how campaign promises translate into action on the ground.



2025 Mayor’s Luncheon – A Vision for West Lincoln’s Future

On Monday, May 5, 2025, the West Niagara Agricultural Centre in Grassie was abuzz with community spirit as the West Lincoln Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Mayor’s Luncheon. The event welcomed a diverse group of attendees from across the Niagara Region, including representatives from the Niagara YMCA, regional officials, local entrepreneurs, and community organizations.

The luncheon commenced with Regional Chair Jim Bradley introducing Mayor Cheryl Ganann, highlighting their shared backgrounds as former school teachers—a testament to their enduring commitment to public service.

Mayor Ganann delivered a keynote address that reflected on the Township's recent achievements and outlined future initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting community well-being. A notable highlight was the official launch of the Township’s 2025 promotional video, a short film celebrating local businesses and the vibrant spirit of West Lincoln.

Demonstrating the community's commitment to supporting youth, proceeds from ticket sales contributed to a $1,000 donation to The FORT (Foundation of Resources for Teens). This local organization provides free programming and mentorship to empower youth in West Lincoln and surrounding areas.

The event was well attended and generously supported by local businesses. A huge thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for making the Mayor's Luncheon a success.

Free Seniors’ Seminar Coming to West Lincoln June 6



The Township of West Lincoln’s Age Friendly Advisory Committee is pleased to invite local seniors, caregivers, and community members to a free Seniors’ Seminar on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the West Lincoln Community Centre (177 West St., Smithville). The event will take place in the second-floor community room.

This engaging seminar is designed to support older adults by sharing valuable information to help meet their evolving needs. Attendees will hear from:

• Researchers from McMaster University, who will present findings from the Roads Less Travelled study, examining how rural residents manage without access to public transit.
• Cheryle Laba, Team Lead with Happy in My Home (Community Support Services Niagara), who will outline a range of available local programs for seniors.

Each presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with speakers. Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be served.

We encourage all interested residents to attend and take advantage of this meaningful opportunity to connect and learn.



West Lincoln Welcomes New Fire Chief Tim Hofsink



The Township of West Lincoln is proud to announce the appointment of Tim Hofsink as the new Fire Chief and Community Emergency Management Coordinator. This exciting leadership transition follows a thorough recruitment process and marks a new chapter for West Lincoln Fire and Emergency Services.

Chief Hofsink brings nearly three decades of dedicated service to his new role. Since joining the department in 1996 as a volunteer firefighter, he has steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as Deputy Fire Chief since 2018 and as Acting Fire Chief for a combined 16 months in 2023 and 2024.

With a strong academic and professional background, Chief Hofsink holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice and Public Safety from the University of Guelph-Humber. He also carries multiple key designations, including Fire Officer Level 3 from the National Fire Protection Association, Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) from the Ontario Fire College, and certifications in Fire Prevention and Fire Investigation.

“I am eager to work with the incredible Fire Services team we have built in West Lincoln and to lead us through the coming years of growth,” said Chief Hofsink. “I consider myself fortunate to have worked with and been mentored by Dennis Fisher. He demonstrated the value and importance of fostering relationships and connecting with the community, and I look forward to building on the impressive legacy he has left.”

Chief Hofsink succeeds Dennis Fisher, who officially retired on April 25, 2025, after an extraordinary 32-year career with the Township—18 of those years as Fire Chief. The Township extends heartfelt thanks to Chief Fisher for his unwavering service, leadership, and commitment to keeping our community safe.

Get Ready for Summer Fun: Day Camp Registration Opens May 6 for West Lincoln Residents

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to start planning a season full of fun! The Township of West Lincoln is once again hosting its popular summer day camp for children aged 4 to 12, running out of the West Lincoln Community Centre (177 West Street, Smithville), starting June 30, 2025.

This exciting camp program is packed with engaging activities to keep kids active, creative, and social all summer long. Campers will enjoy a variety of themed weeks and take part in games, crafts, sports, special guests, swimming, and field trips.

Weekly themes include:

• Exploring the World Around Us
• Sports Mania
• Carnival Craze
• Adventure Week
• Everything Water
• Camp Mystery
• Minecraft Fun
• Science & Discovery

Important Registration Dates:

• May 6 at 12 p.m. – Registration opens for West Lincoln residents
• May 8 at 12 p.m. – Registration opens for non-residents
• May 24 – Registration for Extended Care

Registration is completed online through Activenet, and spots fill up quickly! Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to create their Activenet account in advance to ensure a smooth and speedy registration process.

For complete camp details, weekly schedules, and helpful registration tips, please visit the Day Camp page on the Township’s website.

We’re proud to announce our partnership with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) to bring you our Business Safety Hub!

WSPS is a trusted leader in workplace health and safety, providing expert guidance, training, and resources to help businesses create safer work environments. Through this partnership, our members will have access to exclusive free resources, including:

✅ WSPS Free Member Benefits – Access valuable safety tools at no cost

✅ Safety Resources for Small Businesses – Practical guides tailored for small enterprises

✅ Small Business Advisory Service – Expert support to address safety concerns

✅ MLITSD Inspection Preparation – Be ready for Ministry of Labour inspections

✅ Free Health & Safety Webinars – Learn best practices from industry professionals

✅ Multi-Lingual Resources for Agriculture Workers – Safety support in multiple languages

✅ Health & Safety Excellence Program – A pathway to improved workplace safety

This initiative is designed to empower local businesses, helping them navigate workplace safety regulations and create safer environments for employees.

At the West Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, advocating for your business is one of our core principles. We’re always looking out for issues that affect you, working closely with local government to shape policies that help businesses thrive.

We also provide opportunities for businesses to connect, collaborate, and share resources.

If you have concerns or ideas that impact your business, we want to hear from you!

Unlock Exclusive Savings: Join Our Chamber Discount Network Today!

Discover an exciting opportunity to access exclusive discounts on a wide range of products and services as a valued member of our Chamber of Commerce. By participating in this community-driven initiative, you not only enhance your business prospects but also build connections with fellow members.

Join us today to showcase your offerings, enjoy discounted deals, and benefit from free advertising for your business in our newsletter and e-blasts.

Chamber Member Referral Program



Help grow our West Lincoln business community! If you know a business interested in Chamber membership, refer them to our Executive Director at info@westlincolnchamber.com with their contact details.



When your referral joins, you’ll be entered into our Member Referral Program for a chance to receive next year’s membership free! The winner is drawn annually at the Business Awards—a win for both you and the new member.

Let’s strengthen our network and support local businesses together

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