Labour Market Update - Northern Nova Scotia

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

June 2009*

Employment Rises in June but Unemployment Rate Highest in Five Years

• Employment rose in June for the second consecutive month, as is normal for this time of year. The increase was in full-time employment as part-time employment decreased.

• A lower level of unemployment, in combination with higher employment, reduced the unemployment rate in June. This was the second monthly decline after three straight increases in the first quarter of 2009.

• Despite the monthly increase, employment is below levels from June 2008.

• Lower employment levels combined with higher levels of unemployment means the unemployment rate is higher in June 2009 than the previous year. This unemployment rate is the highest it has been in the previous five years.

• Increased employment in the Services sector offset the net employment loss between June 2008 and June 2009. The bulk of the 5,300 jobs lost in the Goods sector were in the Construction and Manufacturing industries.

• Most of the 2,500 new Services sector jobs were in the Transportation & Warehousing and Educational Services industries.

In the News

IMP Aerospace Components in Amherst has been awarded a six-year contract worth up to $49 million to manufacture parts and structures for Boeing's Chinook heavy lift helicopter. The contract will create about 30 new jobs at IMP's Amherst operation. Amherst Daily News, June 11, 2009

A design firm has been selected for a $32.1 million civic centre in Truro near the new hospital and close to Exit 13 off Highway 102. Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, in partnership with Halifax-based JDA Architects, were recently announced as the successful company. So far, the Town of Truro ($4.4 million), the Municipality of Colchester ($6.6 million), and the Province of Nova Scotia ($10 million) have committed to the project while the Federal government has made a verbal commitment to support the project with funds coming at a later date. Truro Daily News, June 19, 2009

Ski Wentworth is receiving a $3.2-million makeover to enable it to host the alpine and freestyle skiing events for the 2011 Canada winter games. All three levels of government are funding the renovations where construction began in June and is expected to be complete by the fall. Besides trail development, new equipment, including pumps, compressors and about 80 new snow guns, are also being installed. The change will enable the ski hill to double its snowmaking capacity. The change will enable the hill to open sooner and with more trails. This summer’s work is a boost to the local economy with about 25 people working on the renovations. Amherst Daily News, June 25, 2009.

North River’s Flagship Construction began work recently on the $773,200 renovation project at the Colchester Legion Stadium. The work will be completed over the summer. Truro Daily News, June 3, 2009

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) has recently announced it will invest more than $350,000 through the Community Adjustment Fund to support the ongoing development of facilities at the Creamery Square complex in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. The new investment will help fund the site and design work required before a new performing arts centre can be built as the third phase of the Creamery Square project. Truro Daily News, June 22, 2009

Aecon Fabco is expanding its workforce at their manufacturing facility in Pictou. Aecon plans to double its workforce from approximately 30 to 60 workers, specifically highly skilled welders and steelworkers. The Advocate, June 3, 2009

Northern Pulp is currently replacing a pipeline under the East River due to another leak resulting in a shutdown of the plant. The Pictou County pulp mill had two unplanned shutdowns in recent months due to leakage from this line. The Advocate, June 3, 2009

Maritime Steel and Foundries Ltd. received a $2-million repayable load from the provincial government's Industrial Expansion Fund. It will be used for working capital at the steel foundry. Chronicle Herald, June 16, 2009

ICT Group has closed its New Glasgow office effective June 30, 2009. The outbound call centre employed 150 to 200 people. The News, June 30, 2009

Performance Mac's Health & Fitness will close effective June 30, 2009. Nubody's fitness centre will open August 10, 2009 at the Aberdeen Business Centre, New Glasgow. They are now accepting applications for employment. Staff, June 16, 2009

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

Kendall Mills

Labour Market Information Analyst

26 Prince Arthur Street

Amherst, Nova Scotia B4H 1V6