Canada's Territories Labour Market Bulletin

September 2011

Canada's Territories Labour Market Bulletin – September 2011 (PDF version, 108 kb)

The Labour Market Bulletin is produced monthly by economists and labour market analysts employed by Service Canada in the Western Canada and Territories Region.

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Editor, Labour Market Bulletin
Labour Market Information Directorate
Western Canada and Territories Region
Labour Market and Social Development Programs
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Yukon

Resource development limitations recommended in central Yukon wilderness area: Resource development jobs, including exploration-staking and mining-related jobs, will be restricted under the recently-released final recommendations of the Peel Watershed Planning Commission. Should the recommendations receive approval from the Yukon Government and affected First Nation groups, 80% of the Peel River watershed area will be protected from resource development, an activity representing a major source of direct and indirect employment in the Yukon. The plan's intent is to support sustainable management and use of the wilderness area's land and water resources by both traditional and non-traditional land users. Key Source: Peel Watershed Planning Commission news release, July 25, 2011

Proposed gold mine under environmental assessment: The Yukon Environmental Assessment Board is reviewing the benefits and liabilities of the Eagle Gold Project, which plans to use the controversial cyanide heap leaching method to extract gold from the mine. Should the project receive a positive assessment and permits, an estimated 415 jobs will emerge during the 20-month construction period, with approximately 384 additional jobs created during seven years of mining operations. The Board is seeking public feedback on the mine proposal until August 22, 2011. Key Source: Yukon Environmental Assessment Board July 22, 2011; Victoria Gold Corp project proposal, June 2011

Federal funding for social housing: Starting in August, an increase in the number of construction jobs is expected for the communities of Carmacks and Ross River, thanks to funding from Canada's Economic Action Plan. Two million dollars in construction contracts have been awarded by the Yukon Housing Corporation to build eight new, single family, social housing units for these communities. Key Source: Government of the Yukon news release, August 5, 2011

Guidebook for mining in the Yukon published: The Chamber of Mines Guidebook, written by the Yukon First Nations and Yukon Chamber of Mines, is designed to reduce conflict and improve working relationships between the mining industry and local communities. Early, effective communication between resource companies, Yukon First Nations, and local communities is expected to lead to more sustainable employment and business opportunities. The Guidebook also addresses the recognition of land rights and traditional land use that will ultimately smooth the permitting process for developers, and help maintain the social and environmental integrity of the Yukon. Key Source: Yukon Chamber of Mines publication release, August 19, 2011

Cold climate research centre spurs economic diversity: Newly-developed technological products designed to meet cold weather challenges may form the basis of a new business for local entrepreneurs. Yukon College will receive almost $1 million in funding from the territorial government to support ongoing technological research at the Yukon Cold Climate Innovation Centre. The Centre, offering both support resources and institutional facilities, helps to foster relationships between researchers and industry, leading to specialized cold climate technology that can be commercialized and exported. Key Source: Government of Yukon, August 26, 2011

Northwest Territories (NWT)

Territorial government supports growth of NWT film industry: One hundred thousand dollars of annual funding and administrative support is being provided by the territorial government to help aspiring filmmakers in the NWT produce more local film projects. The grants are intended to generate non-resource-related skills and jobs, increase local tourism, and ultimately create a more diverse and sustainable local economy that will provide ongoing employment beyond the extraction of the territory's non-renewable resources. Key Source: Government of the NWT news release, August 18, 2011

NWT diamond mine releases 2011 mid-year socio-economic report: Over the first half of 2011, Diavik Diamond Mine Inc. has, on average, maintained a northern workforce of 628 people and provided the local economy with $155.6 million in business. As the mining operation transitions into full underground production by 2013, the company will require more underground miners. In partnership with the Mine Training Society, the company is training workers to help meet their workforce needs. Key Source: Diavik Diamond Mines news release, August 8, 2011

Environmental assessment for diamond mine project started: The development of De Beer's Gahcho Kué diamond mine project, located north of Yellowknife, is now in the environmental assessment phase. If the mining project is approved, up to 700 full-time construction jobs will be created during the two-year construction phase, with an average of 360 full-time workers employed over the 11 year life of the open-pit mine. Key Source: Mackenzie Valley Impact Review Board release, July 26, 2011

Agreement between mining company and territorial government supports northern employment: A newly-signed socio-economic agreement between Canadian Zinc and the Government of the NWT outlines the employment commitments and training benefits that will result from the development of the Prairie Creek Mine, located outside of Nahanni National Park. Should the environmental review board approve the project, an estimated 250 full-time jobs will emerge when the mine starts operations. Ore resources are expected to support a mine life of at least 14 years, with the potential of extending it to 20 years if more ore is identified. Key Source: Government of the NWT & Canadian Zinc Corporation, August 22, 2011

New air technology planned for North: Discovery Air Innovations and Hybrid Air Vehicles are partnering to design a new airship for remote communities and marine vessels with no road access. While the heavy cargo lift transport system will create new types of aviation jobs, it will also reduce the need for ground-based jobs in the north. The hovercraft landing system will allow the airship to operate on various surfaces, voiding the need to develop infrastructure such as airstrips and ice roads for landing. Should the design be successful, the first vehicle is scheduled to enter commercial service in 2014, with plans for future fleet growth. Key Source: Discovery Air Innovations & Hybrid Air Vehicles websites, August 26, 2011

Nunavut

Inaugural pre-employment training course for aviation jobs: A pre-employment training program in Iqaluit, offered by First Air, recently had 14 people successfully complete the program. Graduates are introduced to opportunities in the aviation industry, and given career information and insight about various airline occupations, including cargo, flight attendants and ticket counter agents. Demand for cargo transportation to northern destinations is increasing, and program graduates should be well-positioned to take advantage of employment opportunities in the airline industry. Key Source: First Air, July 28, 2011

Diamond drilling training program to start in September: Spurred by rising exploration activity for mineral resources, industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and the territorial and federal governments are working together to start a diamond drilling training program in the hamlet of Arviat. This skills training will lead to employment opportunities in the Kivalliq region's expanding mineral exploration and development field, and could potentially become a model for similar programs across Nunavut. Key Source: Nunatsiaq News, July 29, 2011

New Inuit freight business started: Rising demand for supplies and fuel from mining companies and businesses in Nunavut has resulted in the creation of a new Inuit-majority-owned company, Nunavut Connections. The joint venture with Port of Churchill operator Omnitrax will initially employ 12 workers to load vessels and co-ordinate freight movement from the Port to Nunavut destinations. Nunavut Connections will also attempt to increase the company's growth by capturing a share of the sealift traffic that currently flows out of Montreal. Key Source: Nunavut Connections/Omnitrax press release, July 29, 2011

Location of port for Mary River mining project source of contention: Despite local interest in mining jobs and business opportunities stemming from the $4-billion Mary River Iron Ore Project, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association is requesting that Baffinland Iron Mines consider alternative sites for its deep-sea port. The Steensby Inlet rail-marine route is determined to be the most efficient for transporting the mine's annual 21 million tons of ore. However, many Inuit have expressed concerns that the mining project could bring more negative environmental and cultural impacts than benefits over its 20-year life span. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin by 2012, pending environmental board approval, although opposition to the port's location could cause further delay. Key Source: Qikiqtani Inuit Association, August 12, 2011

Arts funding leads to premiere at international film festival: Production of the Inuit short film, Throat Song, employed 12 actors and 14 local crew members who were mentored in the art of film production, from hair and make-up to cameras and lighting. The film was funded by the Nunavut Film Development Corporation and the Kitikmeot Economic Development Commission and is being showcased at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival on September 11. The project could potentially lead to the formation of local community theatre groups and may encourage youth to develop careers in the arts and theatre industry. Key Source: Nunavut Film Development Corporation, August 15, 2011