Labour Market Update - Cape Breton

December, 2009*

Overview 

(Source: http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm)

Labour Force, Employment Continue Seasonal Declines

  • The unemployment rate rose by one half percentage point as employment fell and unemployment rose from November to December.
  • The decline in employment was caused by a drop in full-time employment more than offsetting an increase in part-time employment.  This is a typical pattern for employment in December.
  • The unemployment rate has been rising for the month of December since 2006.  However, December’s 2009 rate is still well below the rate in December 2003.
  • The labour force and labour force participation rate fell slightly in December, but was only slightly lower than in 2008.
  • The Goods Sector experienced an overall employment increase in December with Utilities, Construction and Manufacturing all showing growth.  Only Other Primary industries had lower employment.
  • The Service Sector employment reductions were spread over a large number of industries.  Only Health Care and Social Services had higher employment on a month over month basis.

In the News – Cape Breton

Municipal Ready Mix Ltd. of Sydney River has been awarded the site preparation contract for the new civic centre in North Sydney.  Work will begin in early December, and is expected to be completed within six weeks of startup.  Cape Breton Post, December 2, 2009
 
A new marine centre will be established at Université Sainte-Anne's Petit de Grat campus in early 2010.  The centre aims to strengthen the sustainability of marine related industries in rural communities through research, innovation and education.  The centre will also serve as an interpretive centre.  The $1.1 million cost of the project will be funded by ACOA and ECBC.  Port Hawkesbury Reporter, December 2, 2009
Prince at Prince Hotel opened in North Sydney.  The hotel features six themed boutique executive suites.  Cape Breton Post, December 7, 2009
 
The Children's Aid Society of Cape Breton-Victoria will disband operations and move its child welfare services to the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services by March 31, 2010.  Cape Breton Post, December 14, 2009 
 
Two Cape Breton companies were among the eight agricultural companies and seven seafood processors in Nova Scotia that will receive funding from the provincial government as part of a province wide initiative to strengthen infrastructure and sustainability and improve competitiveness in the global marketplace.  Eyking Brothers farm in Millville will receive $200,000 to develop a facility that will help them respond to new opportunities in the growing market for value added vegetable products.  Northside Processing Ltd. of North Sydney will receive $20,625.  Cape Breton Post, December 24, 2009 
 
Construction will begin soon in Port Hawkesbury on a new home for adults with special needs.  In addition to construction, the Regional Occupational Centre Society's new building on Prince St. will create the equivalent of at least seven full-time jobs. Cape Breton Post, December 14, 2009 
 
Foreign-trained workers will be told within one year of applying whether their credentials will be accepted in Canada under a new framework announced Monday by the federal government.  Beginning Dec. 31, 2010, foreign-trained architects, engineers, pharmacists, physio and occupational therapists and registered nurses will be among the groups that fall under the framework.   Doctors and others are slated to be included in the one-year timetable by the end of 2012.   The new framework also pledges that federal, provincial, and territorial governments will strive to create better services for immigrants before they arrive in Canada and once they're in the workforce.   The governments will work with regulatory bodies, colleges and universities, and other "key partners" to make the changes happen.  Chronicle Herald, December 1, 2009 
 
For more information please contact . . .  

Barry 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