Labour Market Monitor - Northern Nova Scotia
July 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 (2,400) in Northern Nova Scotia on a year over year basis. The bulk of the employment increase was in part-time work (1,500). The labour force increased by 100 over this period. With employment increasing by a greater amount than the labour force, the level of unemployment fell significantly (2,400) in the region, and the unemployment rate declined by 3 percentage points from 11.5 percent in July 2009 to 8.5 percent in July 2010.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Northern Nova Scotia | July | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 220 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 80.9 | 81.0 |
| Employed (000) | 71.7 | 74.1 |
| Full Time | 61.2 | 62.1 |
| Part Time | 10.5 | 12.0 |
| Unemployed (000) | 9.3 | 6.9 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 61.6 | 61.6 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 11.5 | 8.5 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Construction
Toma Homes Ltd. is open for business in New Harbour, Guysborough County. They are offering new home construction and home improvements by a certified, experienced carpenter. Contact (902) 387-2668 or 1step@tomahomes.ca Antigonish Casket, July 15, 2010
Manufacturing
Lafarge Canada Inc will receive $670,000 in funding for a pilot project, to produce a lower-carbon cement, through the ecoNova Scotia Fund for Clean Air and Climate Change. The initiative extends the life of the Brookfield quarry, reduces fossil fuel consumption and plant C02 emissions. The County of Colchester is to receive $60,825 towards construction of the new Tatamagouche library that will be using green lighting and air-conditioning technologies. As well, $138,457 has been earmarked for the Colchester Legion Stadium in Truro to install a system to recover heat from the existing refrigeration plant for heating the arena's floodwater. Part of the funds will also be used to replace the facility's existing boiler system and to install energy efficient ceiling systems. Truro Daily News, July 16, 2010
Surrette Battery has been offered a four-year payroll rebate through Nova Scotia Business Inc., to a maximum of $399, 198 for expansion that will increase production and better meet the growing requirements of their customers. The batteries store solar power to be used during power outages - vital in markets such as Mexico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic where power is often lost up to six times a day. Over the past two years, the company has been implementing a lean manufacturing process to improve productivity, all the while investing in its facility, including a building expansion and equipment upgrades. Currently the company has a full-time workforce of 50 employees. Amherst Daily News, July 30, 2010
Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) has taken ownership of the former TrentonWorks facility in Pictou County. DSME will manufacture wind turbine towers and blades at the plant. Some hiring has taken place, such as, accounting, human resource, technology, millwright and other staff. The production start date is targeting spring of 2011. About 120 employees are expected to be hired for the first year and an estimated 500 employees within three years. Removal of old equipment is expected to begin in August 2010 followed by upgrading of the plant and installation of new manufacturing equipment. Pictou Advocate, July 21, 2010
Aecon Fabco is continuing the dismantling of two navy destroyers at its Pictou shipyard with about sixty workers employed. Work on the Gatineau has just began while the Terra Nova is about half completed. Aecon won the Dept of Defence contract in January 2010 and was expected to take a year to complete. They are also in the process of upgrading their marine railway which will allow them to expand their services to include removing ships from the water for repair. The News, July 24, 2010
Northern Pulp has begun the engineering phase of an $8.5 million air odour emissions reduction project. The construction phase is scheduled for January 2011 with completion by year end. The News, July 31, 2010
Transportation
The Colchester Regional Development Agency has entered into an agreement with the Truro Flying Club to provide jet-refuelling as an enhanced airport service at the Debert Airport. Offering this service will market Debert and adjacent facilities to a broader audience of flyers. The new facilities mean Debert is now one of only nine Nova Scotia airports to offer jet fuel service. Truro Daily News, July 8, 2010
Melford International Terminal signed a partnership agreement with Maher Terminals, based in New Jersey and operator of several large North American marine container terminals. Maher will become a shareholder in the project and operate the re-named Maher Melford Terminal. The latest date given for completion of the $350 million container terminal is 2013 or sooner if market demand is strong. Guysborough Journal, July 31, 2010
Health Care and Social Assistance
Sixty graduates have recently completed 38-week program, offering training for Continuing Care Assistants in Antigonish, New Glasgow and Truro. The program was a joint effort between Future Worx, R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home, Antigonish Area Home Support, other employers and the departments of Labour & Workforce Development and Community Services. Graduates are guaranteed a job upon graduation and must sign a 1-year contract with the employer. Antigonish Casket, July 28, 2010
The High Crest nursing home, in Springhill, recently held its official grand opening. The $5.5 million expansion of the facility features two new units, with 10 residents in each unit. Inside the huge open common room is a kitchen with wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances, and comfortable furniture for residents to relax. The High Crest facility offers services to 65 nursing home residents, 10 veterans and offers one respite bed for the community. The facility currently employs over 100 employees and generates economic benefits for the Springhill area, with an annual budget of over $6.5 million. The Springhill Record, July 7, 2010
Three new group homes at the Riverview Adult Residential Centre are nearing completion. The $22 million project is an addition to the centre and each will house eight residents. Renovations to the existing 89-year-old Riverview building in Pictou County have begun and are expected to be completed over 2 years. Pictou Advocate, July 7, 2010
The Cumberland YMCA is set to grow as it prepares to begin a $2-million renovation project that will enlarge its child-care capabilities and improve fitness programming. The YMCA's board of directors and the project leader are putting the final touches on the first phase of the project that will see the southwest portion of the building expanded to 7,000 square-feet. The Cumberland YMCA has also purchased the former Shine Depot garage to be converted for use as parking space. The work is expected to begin sometime in August with a completion date next spring. With the renovations, the child-care centre will be expanded from about 120 children to 160. Various Sources, July 26, 2010
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
Final designs for The Colchester/Truro civic centre project are expected in the next month. Recently the Project Steering Committee (PSC) received word from the provincial government indicating that it is not in a position to fulfill its $10-million commitment to the project until 2017. The PSC decided to proceed by reducing costs in the original plan for a 3,200-seat arena to about 2,700, while for events and trade shows they will still have the ability to accommodate upwards of 3,500 people. All other facility components are still consistent with early designs. The construction managers, PCL are responsible for design and building analysis, and management of the construction. More importantly, PCL will continue to monitor project costs, will keep apprised of what is happening with the tradespeople who will be essential to the timely completion of this project and will co-ordinate tendering for the project. Truro Daily News, July 14, 2010
Accommodation and Food
Sips Riverfront Cafe has opened at 15 Riverside Street in New Glasgow. The cafe offers a view of the river and a variety of light meals, snacks and drinks. Contact (902) 695-3170 The News, July 30, 2010
Other Services
Scaled-back renovations to the Colchester Legion Stadium will begin within the next week. The Town of Truro has decided will pay $1.179 million, plus HST to North River-based Flagship Construction to do the upgrading work included in the second phase. The project should take about four to six months to complete. Truro Daily News, July 17, 2010
The Thinker's Lodge in Pugwash is receiving up to $100,000 through the National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program for ongoing renovations to the historic cottage that was home to the first Pugwash Peace Conference in 1957. Extensive renovations have already been completed on the lodge while the second phase will address the remainder of the restoration project including the remaining interior and exterior work on the lodge and the two other buildings on the property, the dining hall and the gate house. Partners in the project include the Municipality of Cumberland, Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development, ACOA and CREDA. Amherst Daily News, July 4, 2010
Local development partnership, Antigonish Area Partnership, was dissolved on June 29, 2010. The group of local business people operated for six years to attract development opportunity to Antigonish County. A struggling economy, a lull in public involvement and unsustainable work plans contributed to the decision. They most recently organized an economic assembly for the quad county area. Antigonish Casket, July 07, 2010
Public Administration
Two significant projects in development for the past few months were confirmed at a recent Amherst town council meeting. Funding for both, however, is less than originally announced. Construction of an 8,800 square foot skateboard park next to Amherst Stadium and a splash pad at Dickey Park is expected within the next two weeks. The funding for the skateboard park, which will built by New Line Skateparks, will be reduced from $400,000 to $369,100 including HST. A splash pad offered by ABC Recreation Ltd. will be built at a price of $134,000 rather than the original $170,000. The change in funds resulted from a less than expected $75,000 contribution from the province. Initial funding proposals had been planned that a third of funding would come from each, the town, provincial and federal government at a cost of roughly $133,000 each. The splash pad should be in place by late August, with the skatepark completed by October. Amherst Daily News, July 9, 2010
The Town of Truro will provide up to $31,500 per year over the next four to five years for the Downtown Truro Partnership to distribute to businesses that choose to participate in improving their facades as part of a revitalization initiative. Truro Daily News - July 17, 2010
The Colchester Regional Development Agency (CoRDA) received about $47,000 from government recently to aid in the attraction and retention of immigrants. The local agency is one of seven regional development authorities across the province that will share $306,000 in funding to provide staff, programs and services to help keep immigrants in Nova Scotia. Truro Daily News - July 29, 2010
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