Labour Market Update - Halifax
July, 2009*
(Source: http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm)
Halifax employment at record high level
• Despite the economic downturn, employment in Halifax in July 2009 reached its highest level recorded. This was the fourth monthly increase, which follows the normal seasonal pattern.
• During the March to July 2009 period, employment gains in full-time positions were partially offset by declines in part-time jobs.
• A larger labour force and a higher labour force participation rate resulted in the number of unemployed people also increasing in each of the three months ending in July.
• Even with strong employment, the unemployment rate rose due to higher levels of unemployment.
• Both Goods Sector and Service Sector employment grew since March 2009, but the Service Sector reached record high employment levels.
• The largest changes in the Goods Sector were increased Construction employment and decreased Manufacturing employment. In the Service Sector, Retail and Wholesale employment grew the most, while Public Administration employment decreased by the largest amount.
In the News
The Irving Shipyard is hiring 173 people this year to repair and maintain seven navy frigates, a contract that was awarded in 2008. The shipyard has already filled 85 positions. The project will go until 2017, and provide work for welders, pipefitters, steel fitters, electricians, machinists, and engine fitters. (Chronicle-Herald, July 25)
A new Canadian Tire store employing about 40 staff has opened at St.Margaret’s Bay Road in Upper Tantallon. Mark’s Work Wearhouse is in the same building but under a separate operation. (Staff, July 31)
The YMCA Dartmouth Child Care Centre will close on October 30, 2009. The daycare employs 10 staff, recently unionized with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, who were in the process of negotiating their first contract. The YMCA says the decision was made as the facility was running a deficit and in need of repairs. (Chronicle-Herald, July 31)
Several commercial construction projects in the area are underway or have been completed. An office tower at Bayers Road Shopping Centre, Park Place V in the City of Lakes Business Park, and Millstone Square in Russell Lake are completed. The Highfield Drive project, which will house Lockheed Martin, is expected to be completed by fall, and Penhorn Mall, Westphal Plaza, and South Centre Mall are all undergoing major renovations. (Chronicle-Herald, July 21)
Bissett Court, a new 50-bed, long-term care residence owned and operated by Shannex, has officially opened in Cole Harbour. (Chronicle-Herald, July 15)
The nurses union says shortages of nurses is causing staffing problems at the emergency room of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, and its members are feeling tired and overworked. The employer, the Capital District Health Authority, says there are personnel challenges, especially in summer, but efforts are being made to address nursing shortages through recruitment. (Chronicle-Herald, July 24)
Commissionaires at Halifax Stanfield International Airport ratified their first collective agreement recently. The agreement was reached through federal mediation .(Chronicle-Herald, July 28)
Work has started on the new multi-tenant, temperature controlled cargo facility at the airport. The Halifax International Airport Authority had signed a lease with Gateway Facilities Inc. in 2008 to have that company build and manage the facility, which is seen as a boost for the region’s air cargo industry. (Chronicle-Herald, July 9)
Logistics specialist Kuehne & Nagel Ltd. will coordinate a marine cargo express service to Europe in partnership with the provincial government and the Halifax Port Authority. The service will consolidate and ship dry freight weekly from Halifax to Germany. It is hoped the service will allow local exporters and logistics specialists to better meet their needs by shipping smaller loads. (Chronicle-Herald, July 7)
Work will begin in August on the new interchange to connect Highway 102 with Larry Uteck Boulevard between Bedford and Halifax. The province and the Halifax Regional Municipality have also agreed to build a new interchange on Highway 101 at Beaver Bank. Tenders are expected to go out in about a month. (Chronicle-Herald, July 31)
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
Glenn Yetman
Labour Market Information Analyst
99 Wyse Road, P.O. Box 1350
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4B9
(902) 426-9618
E-mail: glenn.yetman@servicecanada.gc.ca
Web site: www.labourmarketinformation.ca