Labour Market Monitor - Cape Breton
August 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 August 2009 to August 2010. The labour force increased by 3,700 on a year-over-year basis. Employment increased by 2,400 over the same period. The increase in employment was shared equally between full- and part-time jobs. With the increase in the labour force outpacing the rise in employment, the level of unemployment rose from August 2009 to August 2010. The unemployment rate now stands at 14.7 percent, up from 13.4 percent last year.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Cape Breton | August | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 210 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 65.7 | 69.4 |
| Employed (000) | 56.8 | 59.2 |
| Full Time | 49.1 | 50.5 |
| Part Time | 7.7 | 8.9 |
| Unemployed (000) | 8.8 | 10.2 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 57.2 | 60.8 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 13.4 | 14.7 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Public Administration
The Citizenship and Immigration Processing Centre in Sydney will fill up to 160 temporary positions this month (August). In March 2010, 84 temporary and 63 casual workers were laid off at the Sydney CIC centre. The new hiring will be undertaken to reduce inventories in the citizenship operations centre and permanent resident card centre. The workers will be hired on a temporary basis until March 31, 2011. Cape Breton Post, August 4, 2010.
Construction
Work resumed in August on the multi million dollar highway twinning of Highway 125. The current construction involves a 5.5 kilometre stretch between Balls Creek and Sydney River. The tender was awarded on August 6, 2010 to Dexter Construction and is expected to be completed by the end of October 2010. Cape Breton Post, August 20, 2010
Construction is expected to begin shortly on a new three sheet curling rink for the Strait Area Community Curling Club. The clubhouse will also be updated and the facilities are expected to be ready in early November. Inverness Oran, August 4, 2010
Tourism
Tourism statistics released by the provincial government for June 2010 show the Cape Breton area recording a 7 percent increase in room nights sold compared with June 2009. Cape Breton's room occupancy rate was up 3 percent from June of last year. Provincially, there was a four percent increase in the number of visitors to Nova Scotia compared to the same time last year. Cape Breton Post, August 20, 2010
Trade
Grand Lake Crossings, the 24,000 square foot strip mall under construction on Grand Lake Road, is now expected to open in mid November of 2010. The new development will house up to 12 retailers including The Children's Place, Sally Beauty Supply and Global Pets. Cape Breton Post, August 4, 2010
Information, Culture & Recreation
Filming began at Louisbourg in late August for some scenes in the movie Take this Waltz, which has been filming in Toronto. The Fortress of Louisbourg will be a main location for shooting, as well as several spots in and around Louisbourg. Approximately 65 cast and crew will be in the area, and close to 60 extras as well as re-enactors in the Fortress will be part of the shooting. Cape Breton Post, August 27, 2010
Manufacturing
Stirling Pharmaceuticals of North Sydney expects to begin production in September 2010, pending approval from Health Canada. The company has hired 18 to date and expects to hire another 20 to work in the manufacturing plant in September. The company plans to manufacture pharmaceuticals and neutriceuticals, and is scheduled to feature acetaminophen products in the first production runs. Cape Breton Post, August 21, 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