Labour Market Monitor - Cape Breton
November 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
Employment fell slightly in Cape Breton from November 2009 to November 2010, with a significant increase in full time employment (1,600) being more than offset by a decrease of 1,800 in part time work. The labour force increased marginally over the same period. With slow labour force growth and a slight decline in employment, the level of unemployment increased and the unemployment rate rose to 14.7 percent from 13.7 percent last year.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Cape Breton | November | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 210 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 64.1 | 64.5 |
| Employed (000) | 55.3 | 55.0 |
| Full Time | 43.8 | 45.4 |
| Part Time | 11.5 | 9.7 |
| Unemployed (000) | 8.8 | 9.5 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 55.8 | 56.6 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 13.7 | 14.7 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Manufacturing
Acadia Drywall of Dieppe, N.B. has entered into an agreement with Nova Scotia Business Inc. to operate a wallboard manufacturing facility at the former Federal Gypsum plant in Point Tupper. The Federal Gypsum plant had filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Acadia Drywall will purchase the plant's equipment and lease the building and land in a sale that is due to close December 8, 2010. The plant is estimated to be fully operational by July 1, 2011 and could employ 38 people. Cape Breton Post, November 10, 2010.
Classic Frozen Food Ltd. of Point Edward has secured a contract worth approximately $400,000 to supply cookies and muffins to all Shannex institutions in the province. There are currently six full-time and three part-time employees working at the facility in Sydport. Cape Breton Post, November 19, 2010
Samson Enterprises Ltd. of Arichat has signed a $1 million deal to build two 8.5 metre fiberglass patrol boats for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with an option to build two more by 2012. The first two boats are expected to be completed by the end of March 2011. The work is expected to employ 20 people. Cape Breton Post, November 30, 2010
The province of Nova Scotia announced funding to help 21 Nova Scotia boat building companies and industry associations to be more successful by improving marketing and promotion efforts. Companies awarded funds through the Boat Builders Marketing Assistance Program include Samson Enterprises of Isle Madame and Superport Marine Services of Port Hawkesbury who were funded for marketing materials. Port Hawkesbury Reporter, November 10, 2010
Victoria Co-Op Fisheries has landed three weeks of lobster processing beginning November 29, 2010. The lobster is landed in Area 34 in the Yarmouth, N.S. region and will be trucked to their processing facility. Victoria Co-Op fisheries employ 80 during their peak season. Victoria Standard, November 29, 2010.
Utilities
Bell Aliant is laying off 100 managers in the six provinces where it operates, including Nova Scotia. The cuts will be completed by the end of November 2010 to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Cape Breton Post, November 24, 2010.
Recreation
The new Eskasoni Gaming Centre celebrated their grand opening the weekend of November 5 - 7, 2010. The Centre opened in August and its location adjoins the Foodland supermarket in Eskasoni. The new facility created 20 new jobs, with the vast majority of positions going to members of the community. Cape Breton Post November 5, 2010
Construction
A $6.2 billion deal to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in Labrador is estimated to provide more than 6,000 persons years of work, and Nova Scotians will have preferred access to work on the Maritime link and open and full access to the rest of the project. Nova Scotia would receive 20 percent of the power generated at the new plant at Muskrat Falls for 35 years. The sub sea cable which will connect Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to make landfall near existing power infrastructure in the Lingan area. Cape Breton Post, November 19, 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