Small Business & Tourism: Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses are being positioned as a key beneficiary of FIFA World Cup 2026, with federal ministers saying millions of visitors will spend on hotels, restaurants, attractions and local shops. Local Business Support: Ontario’s Starter Company Plus and Summer Company programs kicked off in Prescott with $291,000 in provincial funding to help new entrepreneurs launch and grow. Workforce & Skills: Eastern Ontario Training Board’s AGM highlighted new partners and programs, including Youth Employment Skills Strategy and Ontario Bridge Training, with graduates moving into the labour market. Construction Costs: B.C.’s PST expansion to professional services tied to building and operating projects is drawing fire as a “tax on a tax,” with businesses warning it will raise costs for homes and small retailers. Energy & Infrastructure: Red Deer is replacing about 45,000 electricity meters for homes and businesses, aiming for faster outage detection and fewer estimated bills. Franchising Growth: Metal Supermarkets added leadership hires—Adria Hartwig (Chief Development Officer) and Eric Szaja (VP IT)—as it pushes franchise recruitment and network expansion. Business Tech Reliability: Meta’s Facebook and Instagram suffered a widespread outage, disrupting users and also Ads Manager for advertisers.