Labour Market Update - Northern Nova Scotia

July 2009*

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

Seasonal activity improves job market in July

•Employment in Northern Nova Scotia rose in July following similar monthly gains in May and June as a result of the normal seasonal business cycle. The job gains are less than those that occurred last July, however, and lower than the average July employment gain over the last 10 years.

•All job gains since April have been full-time. Seasonal employment is largely full-time and the number of part-time jobs has decreased in each of the last three months.

•The greater business activity associated with the warmer weather during Spring and Summer has drawn more people into the labour force looking for work. Many of these have been successful in their search efforts so that even with higher labour force numbers, unemployment has declined as has the unemployment rate. The unemployment rate for July is still 3.5 percentage points higher than it was in July of 2008, however.

•Last year was a good year for employment in the region and we saw comparatively high job levels continue into January and February of this year. Since that time, though, employment has been below 2008 levels.

•The employment declines from 2008 occurred in both the Goods and Service sectors. Manufacturing and Trade have endured the largest job losses. The Health Care & Social Assistance industry group has added to employment over the last year.

*This report is an analysis of three month moving average data from Statistics Canada’s monthly Labour Force Survey. Thereader should be cautioned that because of relatively small sample sizes in subprovincial regions, data reliability may be an issue.

In the News

Perry Lake Development has been given final approval from the province to proceed with Phase One of a 120-acre commercial-residential park in Stewiacke. Stewiacke Estates will construct 37 residential and 10 commercial building lots in Phase 1. If demand meets expectations, Phase 2 may begin in the summer of 2010. Truro Daily News, July 17, 2009

The Masstown Market will be opening a smaller second outlet in Five Islands at the site of the former Adriene’s Restaurant; Masstown Market Five Islands. In addition to fruit and vegetables, the store will have a grocery section, and a garden centre in the spring time. Truro Daily News, July 9, 2009

The South Maitland Collins Country Store and Gas Bar has closed recently. A volatile economy and time for retirement led to the decision to close the business. It employed two full-time people. Truro Daily News, July 18, 2009

Freddies Pizzeria has recently closed its 113 South Albion Street location in Amherst. The Little Downtown Diner on Albion Street in Amherst has also closed recently. Various Sources, July 8, 2009

Chignecto-Central School Board will be reducing the number of Educational Assistants in the 2009/10 school year, 66 employees were notified of a potential layoff. The Board Superintendent says the final number depends on student need to be fully determined in September 2009. The News, July 10, 2009

Sport Chek is now recruiting for its new Pictou County location. A job fair was held in July to look for 55 employees including managers, sales associates and shipping & receiving. The News, July 10, 2009

RMS Energy started construction of its wind energy farm consisting of 34 wind turbine generators in Pictou County. RMS is currently employing about 40 people during this phase of the project. Eight to nine full-time jobs will remain when construction is complete. The News, July 4, 2009

Pictou County employers recently travelled to Halifax to promote the area as an attractive place to live and work. Sobeys, Michelin, Convergys, Pictou County Health Authority and Macgregor's Custom Machining were among the companies who attended. Chronicle Herald, July 15, 2009

Northumberland Strait lobster fishermen are reporting low catches and prices for the 2009 season. Lobsters were selling for $3.50 to $4.50 per lb. during most of the 2 month season. The News, July 2, 2009

For more information please contact . . .

Gary Hartlin

Economist

99 Wyse Road, P.O. Box 1350

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4B9

(902) 426-5561

E-mail: gary.hartlin@servicecanada.gc.ca

Web site: www.labourmarketinformation.ca

Kendall Mills

Labour Market Information Analyst

26 Prince Arthur Street

Amherst, Nova Scotia B4H 1V6