Labour Market Monitor - Cape Breton
July 2010
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 labour market in Cape Breton expanded from July 2009 to July 2010. The labour force increased by 3,900 on a year-over-year basis. Employment increased by 2,900 over the same period, reflecting a large increase in full-time work (1,700). With the increase in the labour force outpacing the rise in employment, the level of unemployment rose from July 2009 to July 2010. The unemployment rate now stands at 14.6 percent, up from 13.9 percent last year.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Cape Breton | July | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 210 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 64.8 | 68.7 |
| Employed (000) | 55.8 | 58.7 |
| Full Time | 47.5 | 49.2 |
| Part Time | 8.3 | 9.5 |
| Unemployed (000) | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 56.3 | 60.2 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 13.9 | 14.6 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Construction
Tenders have been requested for the latest portion of the Sydney Tar Ponds cleanup which will see a protective cap created over the treated tar ponds sediment. The cap project, which is valued between $15 and $20 million, is expected to begin construction in the fall and be completed in 2013. (Cape Breton Post July 21, 2010)
Construction is underway on a new Honda dealership in Port Hawkesbury. The 12,000 sq.ft. building is being built on the corner of MacIntosh Avenue and MacInnis Road. The Port Hawkesbury location is expected to open in September 2010 and is expected to employ a core staff of 10-15 people to begin operations. (Port Hawkesbury Reporter, July 7, 2010)
Oil & Gas
Exxon Mobil announced it will not go ahead with an expansion of Nova Scotia's Sable natural gas project. Current low natural gas prices were one reason in making the expansion uneconomical. The company would not say how long Sable gas will continue to be pumped, only that it will continue for some years. The Nova Scotia government has received $1.3 billion in royalties since production began in December 1999. (Chronicle Herald, July 9, 2010)
Public Administration
The Cape Breton Regional Police Service swore in 11 new constables on July 2, 2010. The hiring of these new recruits increased the size of the force from 206 to 207, as they mostly replace retired officers and other movements. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality funds 169 of the positions, while the others are funded through various agencies. (Cape Breton Post, July 3, 2010)
The Nova Scotia Justice Department will cut back the hours worked by part time and casual sheriffs by 20 percent or more, with the exception of those working at facilities in Sydney, Halifax and Bridgewater. The reduction followed a 2007 deal that saw some casual positions converted to permanent status. A subsequent departmental analysis determined that some justice centres had more staff than required. The cuts are expected to take place within 40 days. (Cape Breton Post, July 8, 2010)
Transportation
The federal government announced a $521 million investment over the next five years to renew Marine Atlantic's fleet and improve shore facilities at the port of North Sydney and two ports in Newfoundland. North Sydney will get a new terminal building, upgrades to the dock area and new terminal equipment. (Cape Breton Post, July 6, 2010)
Health Care
Alderwood Rest Home in Baddeck will hold its official opening July 31, 2010. The 70 beds at Alderwood are the first of 849 replacement long term care beds that will open at 13 new facilities across the province by the fall of 2012. Alderwood is operated by Victoria County and employs 130 people. (Cape Breton Post, July 27, 2010)
Accommodation & Food Services
Shining Waters restaurant has reopened in Mabou. The owners intend to operate the restaurant year round. (Inverness Oran, July 14, 2010)
Manufacturing
The province of Nova Scotia announced a five year payroll rebate of up to $253,000 to North-Air Window and Door of Sydney. The company has expanded its facilities and estimated it may create 20 additional jobs in the next five years as demand for its product grows. (Cape Breton Post, July 31, 2010)
Polysteel Atlantic Ltd of Sydney will receive a maximum of $332,288 from Nova Scotia Business Inc. to meet its job creation targets. Polysteel Atlantic manufactures high tensile strength three-strand synthetic rope products and is investing $1 million at its Sydney plant including the purchase of 18 extrusion twisting machines that are integral to the production process. The company plans to create up to 20 new jobs over the next five years. (Cape Breton Post July 31, 2010)
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