Labour Market Monitor - Northern Nova Scotia
January 2011
This is an overview of the Northern Region which includes Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough 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 deteriorated in Northern Nova Scotia on a year over year basis. Employment fell by 1,100, with part time work declining slightly faster than full time work. The decrease in employment was greater than the drop in the labour force between the two periods, and correspondingly the level of unemployment rose. The unemployment rate increased by close to a full percentage point from 11.6% in January 2010 to 12.5% in January 2011.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Northern NS | January | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 220 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Labour Force (000) | 78.4 | 77.9 |
| Employed (000) | 69.3 | 68.2 |
| Full Time | 56.0 | 55.7 |
| Part Time | 13.3 | 12.6 |
| Unemployed (000) | 9.1 | 9.7 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 60.1 | 59.8 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 11.6 | 12.5 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Accommodation and Food
Pictou Lodge Resort will receive a $450,000 loan from the provincial government's Industrial Expansion fund. It will assist the company in hiring about five additional staff at a job fair in Pictou March 28 & 29th, 2011. There were 74 employees at peak season in 2010; some of these employees will have their hours increased to year round work rather than seasonal. The News, January 6, 2011
There are plans to open a new Quiznos sub shop on Robie Street in Truro. Wth a seating capacity of about 40 the owner is planning to open by late May. The business will employ five full-time staff and 10 part-time employees. The owner also has the Quiznos franchise rights for the Elmsdale area but plans to open a shop there will not proceed until further retail development occurs in that area. Truro Daily News, January 5, 2011
The Thai Hut has opened at 265 Archimedes Street, New Glasgow. The food service franchise offers Thai noodle and curry dishes in take-out convenience (902) 695-6497. Various Sources, January 01, 2011
Education Services
More than $115,000 of federal government money has been invested in the Nova Scotia Agricultural College for research purposes. The funds will go toward three initiatives at the Bible Hill-based college. Almost $50,000 will support the development of a nutrient management program. More than $47,000 will benefit the energy conservation and renewable energy technology research program and close to $20,000 will aid a program that targets gene involvement in microbe interactions. The NSAC wasn't the only college to benefit from the funding announcement yesterday. In Nova Scotia, a total of $1.9 million will be invested in research-based projects. Other universities receiving funds are Cape Breton University ($485,000), Dalhousie University ($1 million) Saint Mary's University (64,000) and St. Francis Xavier University ($155,000). Truro Daily News, January 22, 2011
According to Nova Scotia's education minister, teacher retirements will help cut costs in the province's education system. It is expected that 1,000 teachers will retire over the next three years and the number of students will drop by 7,000. The province is seeking ways to deal with potential spending reductions in education, and is emphasizing that school boards should make first cuts in the area of administration. The Nova Scotia Teachers Union said providing a good education won't be possible if roughly 10 percent of teaching positions disappear. In December 2010, Nova Scotia's eight school boards were asked by the province to complete a planning exercise with a twenty-two percent reduction in funding. The province has since stated actual cuts will not be that severe. Chronicle Herald, January 21, 2011
Health Care
The Little Lambs Child Care Centre will open in Amherst in early February. The Drop Inn Ministries has received a license to operate a child-care centre, for up to 28 children, in the former Maggie's Place facility at 12 LaPlanche Street. Amherst Daily News, January 20, 2011
Manufacturing
Maritime Steel and Foundries in Pictou County closed its doors December 31, 2010 after 100 plus years in business. About sixty workers had been laid off December 24, 2010. The plant's parent company, Cameron Corporation Ltd., called in a loan, which pushed Maritime Steel into receivership. BDO Canada has been appointed by the courts as the receiver. There is hope the plant and its equipment can be sold to another operator. Various Sources, January 4, 2011
Oxford Frozen Foods, the leading producer of frozen wild blueberries in the world, will soon see an expansion thanks to a loan through the Nova Scotia Business Inc. The province, through NSBI, is supporting this project with a fully repayable, interest-bearing $5-million term loan. Oxford Frozen Foods is investing $5.6 million. The project will add 20 million pounds of freezer capacity for the company. Oxford Frozen Food produces blueberries, carrots, diced onions, cranberries and frozen rutabaga. The company also has a state-of-the-art appetizer manufacturing facility which produces onion rings, cheese sticks and battered vegetables. The Citizen, January 22, 2011
I. Matheson will expand its export capacity with the help of a $250,000 repayable loan from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The Pictou County manufacturer of custom designed metal products will double in size and install new equipment. They are partnered with AMR, an Alberta engineering firm, to produce pressure vessels for the oil and gas industry and have had to pass on bidding for some work due to their limited capacity. The expansion will solve this problem and add to the existing workforce of 25 employees. The News, January 29, 2011
Group Savoie sawmill is seeking financial support from the government to help in modernizing their Westville mill and secure a stable supply of hardwood. The mill is presently operating with a skeleton crew after laying off about 40 workers in December 2010. The New Brunswick based hardwood forest products company says a stable hardwood supply and a more efficient mill makes business sense and will improve job security for employees in the future. The News, January 26, 2011
DSME Trenton has begun installing new equipment for manufacturing of wind turbines and towers, including heavy lift cranes and welding equipment. All new equipment is expected to arrive and be installed by April 2011. Staffing levels are at 38 with hiring for a total of 130 workers in progress. Production is slated to begin in May 2011. The News, January 20, 2011
Northern Pulp received $28.1 million in federal funds for three projects to reduce odour and greenhouse gas emissions from their Pictou County mill. The Nova Scotia government previously committed $5 million towards these projects. Northern's portion of the cost has not been specified. They employ over 200 workers at their Abercrombie kraft pulp mill. Pictou Advocate, January 26, 2011
Other Services
Thinkers' Lodge in Pugwash is receiving just over $1 million for the second phase of a multi-year restoration project at the National Historic Site. The multi-year restoration project involves interior work to the lodge building and enhancement of the grounds and includes the development of an interpretive master plan, business plan and marketing strategy. ACOA is providing $750,000 through its Innovative Communities Fund with Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage providing $30,000, Cumberland County providing $50,000, $121,000 from CREDA and $50,000 from the Pugwash Park Commission. Amherst Daily News, January 21, 2011
Public Administration
The province will provide $150,000 in funding for a project to make Truro's downtown more attractive. In September of 2010, the federal government announced $350,000 towards the project, which will improve and revitalize six public green space around town. The town and Downtown Truro Partnership are also contributing financially to the project. The work will get started as soon as the weather allows and they anticipate a fall 2012 completion. Truro Daily News, January 20, 2011
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Cambridge Plaza is a new plaza will be constructed this spring along Robie Street on the site of the original Andy's Tire Shop, which was recently torn down. The lower portion of the site is to consist of 10,000 square feet of retail space with an additional 1,600 square feet on a second level for executive offices. As well, the whole back yard will be paved for parking. Simply Primitive is expected to return to the site along with a new Quizno's sub shop. The plaza owner also expects the Upham Family Outlet store in Hilden will be relocating to the new facility. Truro Daily News, January 6, 2011
Retail Trade
Jim's Shirt Locker in downtown Antigonish is closing its doors after 25 years in business. The athletic apparel store has been affected by the difficult economic times, according to its owner. Closure is tentatively planned for the end of January 2011. Antigonish Casket, January 5, 2011
Lolly's Gifts is closing its 135 Provost Street store in early 2011. The downtown New Glasgow retailer offered home decor and gifts for over thirty years. Two to three jobs have been lost at the locally owned and operated store. The owner says business has not been strong for several years as shoppers have more access to inexpensive imports and on-line shopping; the local store has struggled to turn a profit. Various Sources, January 1, 2011
The Wood Shop located at 156 Provost Street in downtown New Glasgow is closing its doors in early 2011. The retail home decor and gift shop has been in operation for over 15 years. One employee will be laid-off from the locally owned and operated business. Various Sources, January 01, 2011
Cost-U-Less at 980 East River Road, New Glasgow will close in early 2011. The discount retail store employed up to five full-time and part-time retail clerks. Meanwhile, Atlantic Fabrics which is located several doors away in the same plaza will move to Cost-U-Less location which will provide more space for the fabric supply store. Staff, January 01, 2011
Proudfoots Inc. has confirmed construction of a new Home Hardware building centre will begin in spring 2011 at Albion Place Business Centre, Stellarton. The local franchisee will be consolidating two of its current locations. Staff from the New Glasgow and Stellarton stores will move to the new centre once construction is completed in early 2012. The format will be similar to Proudfoots Home Hardware in Pictou. Pictou Advocate, January 12, 2011
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 please contact your local Labour Market Information Analyst
for Cumberland / Colchester: ken.mills@servicecanada.gc.ca
for Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough : diane.tibbo@servicecanada.gc.ca
or visit our website at: www.labourmarketinformation.ca