Labour Market Update - Northern Nova Scotia

August, 2009*

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

Employment Growth Lowers Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate fell for the fourth straight month, following a record high level in April. This decline was consistent with normal seasonal patterns, however the rate is higher than in the previous six years.

Rising employment and declining unemployment caused the unemployment rate to decline over the past four months. Full-time jobs were the source of employment growth.

Service-Producing Sector employment has been rising over the long run and was relatively high in 2009 when compared with the previous four years. Wholesale and Retail Trade employment has been on the rise in 2009.

Meanwhile, employment in the Goods-Producing Sector has been falling in the long run and the normal seasonal increase in employment started a month later in 2009. Both Construction and Manufacturing employment are below levels seen in recent years.

In the News – Northern Nova Scotia

IMP Aerospace Components of Amherst has had to lay off some 30 workers due to a downturn as customers cut back on their build rates due to a slower economy. Indications are that it could be between six and eight months before people are brought on staff as they ramp up for production as a result of the recently announced $49 million dollar federal contract for CH-147 Chinook helicopter components. If the Chinook contract was not in place, it is estimated that another 20 workers would have been laid off. The layoffs affect brake operators, sheet metal workers, programmers and stores. There are 256 workers who will remain on the job. The Chronicle-Herald, August 21, 2009

The province has called tenders to fix part of the former Trans-Canada Highway through the Wentworth Valley. Eight kilometres of Trunk 4 from the intersection of Route 368 easterly toward the Swallow Road in Cumberland County will be completed before the end of October. The announcement was one of seven tenders called with an estimated value of almost $12 million. The tender calls for the pulverization, cold planing and repaving of the section of highway. Amherst Daily News, Aug 13, 2009

Langille’s Meat Market will be closing as of the 28th of August, 2009. The owner is Gerald Langille and the business is located in the village of Wallace. Oxford Journal Aug 19, 2009

Alva Construction Limited won a contract to build two bridges as part of the twinning of Highway 104 in the Antigonish area. Work on the $4 million project is expected to begin in mid-August 2009 and continue until spring 2010. Antigonish Casket, August 12, 2009

O'Farrell's GM car dealership in New Glasgow has closed after 40 years in business, one of several hundred dealers across Canada to have its sales and service agreement cancelled by General Motors. Thirty employees worked at the business, most were laid off prior to the closing July 31, 2009. The Advocate, August 19, 2009

Herron Pontiac, now operating under Herron GM is selling new Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles from the former O'Farrell's GM location at 465 Westville Road, New Glasgow . Herron's original building at 610 Westville Road now houses Herron Pre-Owned Vehicles and Collision Centre, about 40 employees work at both locations. Staff, August 2009

Construction has begun on the Gerald Schwartz School of Business at St. F.X. University's Antigonish campus The $23 million, 74,000 square foot facility will take about a year to complete with a scheduled opening of summer 2010. Antigonish Casket, August 18, 2009

Fibbers Pub & Eatery has closed at 127 George Street , New Glasgow. Three to five employees are now without work. The News, August 25, 2009

Maryvale Wind Energy LP received provincial environmental approval for a wind turbine project in Antigonish County. Four turbines producing 1.5 megawatts of power will be built at a cost of $12 million. Chronicle Herald, August 14, 2009

Nova Scotia Power installed a new generator at its Trenton, Pictou County plant. The new equipment is able to burn different types of coal and possibly biomass. According to NSP, improvements to the plant including the new generator have employed about 300 additional workers in the last year and injected $10 million into the local economy. The News, August 04, 2009

Cook's Gas Bar & Cafe has opened in Guysborough County. They currently have 5 employees and are open 7 days a week. Hours and staff will be adjusted according to demand. (902)533-2993 Guysborough Journal, July 29, 2009

The N.S. Department of Labour & Workforce Development is inviting organizations, who assist unemployed and low-skilled workers find work and upgrade their skills, to apply for funding for their programs. Employment Nova Scotia is now accepting proposals. The News, August 13, 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