Labour Market Monitor - Northern Nova Scotia
May 2010
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
Employment increased noticeably (2,100) in Northern Nova Scotia on a year over year basis. The bulk of the employment increase was in full time work (1,500). The labour force decreased by 600 over this period. With employment increasing and the labour force decreasing, the level of unemployment fell significantly (2,600) in the region , and the unemployment rate declined by 3.3 percentage points from 12.9 percent in May 2009 to 9.6 percent in May 2010.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Northern Nova Scotia | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 220 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 77.6 | 77.0 |
| Employed (000) | 67.6 | 69.7 |
| Full Time | 54.5 | 56.0 |
| Part Time | 13.1 | 13.7 |
| Unemployed (000) | 10.0 | 7.4 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 59.1 | 58.6 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 12.9 | 9.6 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Utilities
Shear Wind Energy is moving ahead with construction of its $170 million Glen Dhu wind farm along the Antigonish and Pictou border. They have signed a $100 million, 20 - year agreement with Enercon Canada Ltd for 26 to 28 wind turbines. Shear Wind has a long-term contract with Nova Scotia Power to provide 20 megawatts of energy. Roads have been built and the turbine sites cleared. Construction of the towers will begin once the turbines are delivered in July and August 2010. Chronicle Herald, May 31, 2010
Manufacturing
Aecon Fabco's Pictou shipyard is putting in a new slip for hauling ships out of the water for repair or inspection. The $3 million project will allow them to perform a wider variety of work in addition to their existing fabrication services. The News, May 11, 2010
Education
Chignecto-Central School Board will reduce the number of teaching staff in the 2010/11 school year. Fifty-five retirements are expected but only 38 teaching positions will be filled due to an expected decline of 469 students in the region. Provincial funding is based on student enrolment. Chignecto-Central will also cut some evening classes based on lack of participation. The News, May 14, 2010
Health
R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home has begun the construction of two housing additions to its Antigonish nursing home. The provincial government is providing $9.4 million towards the project. It will create 28 new spaces for independent living with access to existing nursing home services. They currently have a capacity of 108 residents. Antigonish Casket, May 19, 2010
Accommodation and Food
BaKED Food Café Inc. will be opening in downtown New Glasgow at 207 Provost Street. The 30-seat restaurant will provide breakfast and lunch, five days a week. Various Sources, May 31, 2010
The Bare Bones Bistro has relocated within Parrsboro to larger facilities. After two years of business, Glenn and Sue Wheaton had outgrown the small rented space as a Main Street café and purchased and renovated the Bouillabaisse Cafe building. The business will offer fine dining, family dining, a pizzeria, and an artisan's bakery, which will provide the restaurant with all of its baked goods. Also in the plans are an evening lounge, a fresh fruit and smoothie bar, and a deli meat/cheese counter. They expect to see 12-16 new jobs created there this year. The Citizen, May 15, 2010
Public Administration
Amherst has awarded a $12-million tender to Brycon Construction Ltd., of Dartmouth, to construct the town's new sewage treatment facility on the marsh in Fort Lawrence. Once operational next year, the plant will treat all the sewage and wastewater coming from the town on its way to the Bay of Fundy. It's the biggest capital project in the history of the town. The project is being funded three ways through the Canada-Nova Scotia infrastructure program with $7.2 million in federal-provincial funding that was announced last April. Amherst Daily News May 13, 2010
The provincial government plans to expand the Wood Street Centre in Truro. A tender closing on June 8th is out to construct a gymnasium at the secure treatment facility as well as construct a new 18-bed residential treatment facility adjacent to the current structure. The current facility has 20 beds and youth can stay there for up to 30 days. While the new facility will still provide highly structured, specialized programming and schooling, it will not be a secure facility like the existing centre and youth will be able to stay longer than 30 days. The $3.5-million centre opened in 2003 as a facility designed to stabilize young people, aged 12 to 16, who are under the care of the Department of Community Services, but who do not respond to other community-based programs, such as foster homes or residential care. Truro Daily News, May 21, 2010
A $146,000 assessment project will involve geotechnical studies to determine future requirements to ensure the stability of the Advocate seawall and the protection of the community from the Bay of Fundy. The engineering assessment, that's being funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, will be co-ordinated by CREDA. The study will take about two months to complete and that information will aid in determining what federal funding is required to make the necessary alterations. The Citizen, May 29, 2010
Employees of the Pictou County Shared Service Authority have voted to strike. The thirteen workers are represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union; this will be their first contract. At issue are wages, pensions, sick time and other benefits. The Authority provides planning and waste water treatment services to 5 Pictou County towns. The News, May 12, 2010
The Town of New Glasgow will construct a new permanent building for its New Glasgow Farmer's Market at 115 Jury Street. The waterfront building will hold about 35 to 37 vendors and will cost about $83,000. The Town will own the building and the Farmer's Market Co-operative will rent the space. It is expected to be completed and ready for business by June 12th, 2010. The News, May 28, 2010
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