Labour Market Monitor - Cape Breton
April 2011
This is an overview of the Cape Breton Region which includes Cape Breton, Inverness, Richmond and Victoria Counties. The Labour Market Monitor is a monthly report providing information on labour market developments for specific regions within the province.
Labour Force Trends
The Cape Breton labour market weakened slightly from April 2010 to April 2011. The labour force in the area remained relatively stable and employment decreased marginally, reflecting a fall in part time work. With the labour force unchanged and a slight dip in employment, the number of unemployed increased on a year over year basis and the unemployment rate rose to 18 percent from 17.1 percent in the same month last year.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Cape Breton | April | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 210 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Labour Force (000) | 60.2 | 60.4 |
| Employed (000) | 49.9 | 49.4 |
| Full Time | 40.3 | 40.4 |
| Part Time | 9.6 | 9.0 |
| Unemployed (000) | 10.3 | 10.9 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 53.0 | 53.7 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 17.1 | 18.0 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Education
The Cape Breton Victoria District School Board passed a $125 million budget which could result in a reduction of approximately 140 positions. The budget includes a reduction of about 44 classroom teaching positions, which could include 15 permanent teachers once retirements are taken into account. The board is also eliminating 50 teaching assistant positions. Among other cuts included were administration and consulting positions, as well as nine fewer cleaners, two janitors, and 14 in lunch, bus and grounds. In addition to recently announced funding cuts to the school board, enrolment is expected to decline by close to 700 students which also affect funding levels. Cape Breton Post, April 20, 2011
The Strait Regional School Board announced an elimination of 14 full-time equivalent teaching positions for the upcoming year. Six administrative positions, including three coordinators and three consultants, have also been eliminated. The losses are expected to be covered through attrition as the board has received notification of 30 retirements to date. In addition to reductions in accordance with declining student enrolment, the board received a 2.47 percent cut in funding for the upcoming year. Port Hawkesbury Reporter, April 27, 2011
Construction
Construction is underway on a $200 million biomass cogeneration facility at the New Page mill site in Point Tupper. About 50 trades people are at work at the site, with approximately 200 expected to be working in the summer. At the project's peak, it will employ about 300. The project is also expected to create about 150 new forestry jobs. The cogeneration facility is expected to be commissioned in the fall of 2012 and be in production in early 2013. Cape Breton Post, April 1, 2011
Sydney Ports Corporation has signed a deal with Dutch company Boskalis Westminster NV to dredge the Sydney harbour access channel. The contract is conditional on receiving final regulatory approvals necessary to complete the dredging. Preparatory work for the project, which will include an access road to the lay down area next to Laurentian Energy Corp.'s property at Sydport, is expected to begin this month. The dredging is expected to begin this fall and be completed by early 2012. Cape Breton Post, April 15, 2011
Fishing
An agreement signed in early April between DFO and the Gulf Nova Scotia Fishermen's Coalition has resulted in nine lobster licenses retired on voluntary buy-outs. Those opting out are expected to receive just under $185,000 each in return for retirement of their license. The new retirements will mean a reduction of about 4000 traps in LFA 26 B North and possibly more in LFA 26 B South. The license retirements included three in Cheticamp and area, two in Pleasant Bay, two in Margaree and two in Grand Etang. Inverness Oran, April 27, 2011.
Oil & Gas
PetroWorth Resources is now hoping for a fall start for a 1200 metre exploratory oil well in their Lake Ainslie block of Cape Breton. The target start date has been deferred several times and now until the fall as the company awaits approval for a permit. Cape Breton Post, April 27, 2011.
Public Administration
The Cape Breton Regional Police Service will create a new position for a superintendent. The new position is in response to workload increases resulting from centralization of management functions to police headquarters. The superintendent position will report to the deputy chief. Cape Breton Post, April 5, 2011
Tourism
Lifewear Couture, an active and leisure apparel store, opened April 9 on Charlotte St. in Sydney. Cape Breton Post, April 29, 2011
Note: In preparing this document, Service Canada has taken care to provide clients with labour market information from reliable sources that is timely and accurate at the time of publication. Since labour market conditions are dynamic, some of the information presented here may have changed since this document was published. Users are encouraged to also refer to other sources for additional information on the local economy and labour market. Information contained in this document does not necessarily reflect official policies of Service Canada.For more information contact: ns-info-ne@servicecanada.gc.ca or visit our website at www.labourmarketinformation.ca