Labour Market Update - Cape Breton
(Source: http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm)
June 2009*
Unemployment Rate Down in June but Up from Last Year
• The unemployment rate fell in June for the first time in nine months. Increasing employment levels and declining unemployment, typical in June, led to an unemployment rate decline.
• The employment gain from May to June was all in full-time jobs while part-time employment declined.
• While this was the third consecutive monthly employment increase, unemployment levels also rose in April and May. The rise was likely due to normal seasonal activity.
• The unemployment rate is higher than it was a year ago, in June 2008. The increase has been the result of lower employment and higher unemployment levels.
• Construction (-1,000) and Manufacturing (-1,300) employment, the two largest components of the Goods sector, both experienced large employment declines since June 2008.
• In the Services sector, Transportation and Warehousing employment fell by 1,300, the greatest job loss in this sector from June 2008.
In the News
Cape Breton Radio of Sydney laid off two of its experienced news staff, leaving only one person to direct the news at its three Maritime Broadcasting System stations. Competitive pressures from newer stations in the area, as well as the availability of news through the World Wide Web were cited as reasons for the layoffs. Cape Breton Post, June 16, 2009
Waterside Restaurant recently opened in North Sydney, adjacent to the Marine Atlantic terminal. Cape Breton Post, June 10, 2009
A Community Health Centre will be established at the Carmel Centre in New Waterford. The centre will house the community's six physicians along with services such as a diabetes clinic and public health. The building will undergo major renovations and is expected to be in operation by spring 2010. Cape Breton Post, June 10, 2009
The Eskasoni Crisis and Referral Centre held their grand opening on Friday, June 26 in Eskasoni. The centre employs nine full time staff and several part time workers at the centre, which will operate 24 hours a day seven days per week to field calls, offer support and help anyone in need. Cape Breton Post, June 27, 2009
Mount Cameron Minerals is investigating a possible mine that would extract large volumes of flake graphite in an area near Boisdale. The resource is used in making fuel cells and lithium ion batteries for the automotive sector, as well as for other uses. The company estimated that there will be two to three years of mineral exploration work and testing before committing to a mining operation. Cape Breton Post, June 27, 2009
Several large contracts are expected to be awarded later this year as part of the Sydney Tar Ponds cleanup project. Sydney Tar Ponds Agency is about half way through the 10 year cleanup, although less than one fifth of the budget has been spent. The largest contract, worth over $50 million, is expected to be awarded soon for the solidification and stabilization of the tar ponds. Several smaller projects have been completed or are underway, and work on the sites should be steady for the next five years. Cape Breton Post, June 24, 2009
A $52 million contract associated with the Sydney Tar Ponds Cleanup was awarded to Nordly's Environmental, a company owned by J & T Van Zutphen Construction Inc. of Mabou, in partnership with U.S. firm ECC of Marlborough, Mass. The five year project to solidify and stabilize the north and south ponds will create an estimated 40 construction jobs and will provide local labourers with remediation skills and experience. Cape Breton Post, June 27, 2009
For more information please contact . . .
Barry J. Soper
Economist
99 Wyse Road, P.O. Box 1350
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4B9
(902) 426-5590
E-Mail: barry.soper@servicecanada.gc.ca
Web Site: www.labourmarketinformation.ca
Labour Market Information Unit
Cape Breton Network
15 Dorchester Street
Sydney, Nova Scotia
(902) 564-7238
E-mail: ns-info-ne@servicecanada.gc.ca
Web site: www.labourmarketinformation.ca
