Labour Market Monitor - Northern Nova Scotia
August 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 (2,700) in Northern Nova Scotia on a year over year basis. The bulk of the employment increase was in part-time work (2,000). The labour force increased by 1,000 over this period. With employment increasing by a larger amount than the labour force, the level of unemployment fell significantly (1,600) in the region, and the unemployment rate declined by 2.1 percentage points from 11 percent in August 2009 to 8.9 percent in August 2010.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Northern Nova Scotia | Augusty | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 220 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 81.1 | 82.1 |
| Employed (000) | 72.1 | 74.8 |
| Full Time | 62.4 | 63.1 |
| Part Time | 9.7 | 11.7 |
| Unemployed (000) | 8.9 | 7.3 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 61.8 | 62.5 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 11.0 | 8.9 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
The federal government is investing $436,000 in the Wallace Harbour Authority for stabilization of the aging Wallace fishing wharf structure. The wharf accommodates about 23 fishing vessels. The project is part of the $67-million Small Crafts and Harbours program, which will disperse $12 million to projects across Nova Scotia. The federal government is responsible for maintaining about 750 core fishing wharves across the country where approximately 80 percent of all fish landings, worth close to $1.5 billion annually, are brought ashore.Truro Daily News, August 13, 2010
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
Maple LNG will not be building its planned liquefied natural gas plant in Goldboro, Guysborough County. The Dutch-based parent company has dropped a land option with the Municipality of Guysborough where the proposed $700 million 3 tank terminal was to be built. Falling demand and low prices have been blamed for the cancellation. Chronicle Herald, August 24, 2010
Utilities
The Glen Dhu Wind Energy Partnership held a job fair August 12, 2010. There were about 20 job openings for security, construction, equipment operators, ironworkers and administration. An estimated 200 job seekers attended the event. Alva Construction, Mortenson, Shearwind and others are involved in constructing 27 wind turbines in the Antigonish/Pictou County border area. This is the first phase of the $170-million, 62 megawatt project and is scheduled to be completed and producing electricity by March 2011. The News, August 13, 2010
Construction
Sobeys will construct a 55,000 square-foot, 3-storey office building adjacent to Empire Company's King Street, Stellarton location. It will house its national administrative staff and senior executives. The current Sobeys building at 115 King Street will be demolished and turned into additional parking. Anwyll Fogo Architects, Campbell Comeau Engineering, F.C. O'Neill Scriven, MEC Engineering and Construction and Ekistics Planning have contracts for the design & construction expected to begin in September 2010 and completed within a year. Chronicle Herald, August 17, 2010
Housing starts for the New Glasgow submarket area have increased 5.4 percent for the first half of 2010 compared to 2009, according to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. There were 39 starts from January to June 2010 which includes single and multiple residences. In Nova Scotia there was a 60 percent increase for the first 6 months of 2010 compared to 2009 figures. Various Sources, August 1, 2010
Manufacturing
Parrsboro Metal Fabricators Ltd. was placed into receivership recently, paving the way for its takeover by Granby Industries, a subsidiary of Halifax-based investment firm Clarke Inc. Granby bought the troubled Cumberland County company from the family that owns Wilson Fuel Co. by paying out a $2.1-million loan Parrsboro Metal received in 2008 from the Royal Bank, its principal secured creditor. The business, which reopened recently after a scheduled two-week shutdown, makes oil- and wood-fired furnaces and boilers. It has employed as many as 68 people, but layoffs have reduced that to between 15 and 20. Granby, with operations in Quebec and Ontario, has been in the heating and oil storage business for more than 50 years. The Chronicle Herald, August 5, 2010
Trade
There are plans for a Split Crow pub opening in Truro in September. The new restaurant and bar will be located at 515 Prince St. in the former Calico's Lounge location. If things go well, the company might look at expanding to other markets, including outside the province. The Halifax location currently employs between 40 and 45 and it could employ about half as many in Truro, based on its projected sales levels. Truro Daily News, August 13, 2010
The Co-op Gas Bar on Lawrence Street in Amherst will close its doors Aug. 31, ending a prominent presence in the community and costing at least six individuals their jobs. High sales taxes and gas prices in Nova Scotia caused the closure. Amherst Daily, August 20, 2010
V&S Stedmans Department Store in downtown Pictou will be closing. The owners have decided to retire after 18 years as operators of the general merchandise retail operation. Pictou Advocate, August 25, 2010
Finance and Insurance
A.P. Reid Insurance has opened at 77 Lavinia Street, New Glasgow. This is their second store in Pictou County; they offer a full range of insurance products. The News, August 27, 2010
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board upheld a Truro Town Council decision to permit the construction of two apartment buildings on Park Street. The plan is to build two multiple-unit buildings on 5.7 acres at 16 Park St. One of the buildings will include 39 units and the other 63 units. The developer expects it will be a couple of years before the project is complete because the market is saturated. Truro Daily News, August 6, 2010
The Chignecto-Central Regional School Board will be the first tenant for the Downtown Amherst Business Park. The school board is taking over student transportation for the 2010-11 school year. The centerpiece of the 13-hectare property is a 44,000-square foot building that has been renovated. The property had been vacant since 1993 when IMP Aerospace left for new quarters in the industrial park. Amherst Daily, August 24, 2010
Zack's Property Services Ltd. recently purchased the former Tingley Monuments building on West Victoria Street in Amherst. The owner has begun renovations on the facility for retail/commercial and office space for some opportunity that has yet to be finalized. Amherst Daily, August 24, 2010
Education
The federal government announced $500,000 for the new Truro Francophone Community Centre when construction at École acadienne de Truro is complete. The community centre has existed for about two years in the former administrative offices of the Home for Girls, Aberdeen Street in Truro's east end. The centre offers after school programs, French classes, seniors programs, movie nights and is a community access program site. The new 1,200-square foot community centre will be built during the addition of a new wing at the school. The centre will be accessible from inside the school, enabling students and community members an opportunity to best utilize the facility. The final phase of renovations at the school is expected to start in the fall and will include the addition of the new wing. Completion is expected by the end of 2011. The federal government also announced $13,900 to assist in bringing entertainers to the community to perform at the school and at the Marigold Cultural Centre as well as $36,000 for programming at the centre. Truro Daily News, August 11, 2010
Healthcare
The Wood Street Centre secure treatment facility is in the midst of $4.5-million expansion project. Construction is underway to add an 11,000-square foot gymnasium and build a recreation field at the Wood Street Centre in Truro. The project is being completed by Bird Construction Company. The province is also expanding the facility with a new 20,000-square foot, 18-bed residential treatment facility adjacent to the current centre. The $6-million project, also being completed by Bird Construction, is expected to start soon and be completed by the fall of 2011. Truro Daily News, August 31, 2010
Pictou County Health Authority is expecting three new family doctors to establish their practices in the County by the fall of 2010. They are accepting new patients from a list maintained by the Health Authority. The Authority is also expecting four new specialist doctors - an obstetrician, a general surgeon, opthalmologist and an anesthesiologist. The News, August 17, 2010
Dr. Kenneth Hammel has opened an Ophthalmology practice in association with Dr. David Archibald and Dr. Maurice Strasfeld at 835 East River Road, New Glasgow. Referrals from a family physician or optometrist are required ((902) 752-2216. The News, August 18, 2010
Public Administration
The federal government confirmed plans to spend about $40 million to expand the prison in Springhill. The two additional housing units and infrastructure upgrades will see the correctional facility's cell capacity increase by 192 beds over the next two years. The Springhill Institution listed its current inmate population at 396 male offenders. Construction is scheduled to begin next year and be completed in 2012. Various Sources, August 18, 2010
Several projects will receive funding from ecoNova Scotia for windmills, biogas, solar panels and other environmentally friendly technologies. These in include: $400,000 People's Place Library, Antigonish; $200,000 Archibald Dairy Farm, Antigonish; $94,000 Chedabucto Place & Education Centre; $156,000 Town of New Glasgow water treatment plant; and $138,000 District of St. Mary's administration building. Antigonish Casket, August 4, 2010
The N.S. Department of Justice is reducing the guaranteed hours of work for casual and part-time sheriffs. It will affect about 23 employees of the 190 sheriffs working across the province, with a 20 percent or more cut in hours. Their union, the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, is in discussions with the province to find an alternative to this action. The News, August 13, 2010-09-02
Work continues at the Stellarton Business Park in Pictou County. A new roundabout providing access to the park is nearing completion. There is also a $3 million project underway extending Lawrence Boulevard to MacGregor Avenue and installation of water and sewer to the area. Completion is expected by October 15, 2010. Thirty-two acres are available at the park between exits 23 and 24 of the 104 Trans-Canada Highway. The News, August 17, 2010
The Department of Economic and Rural Development is providing $500,000 for the third year of the Productivity and Innovation Voucher program. It provides small and medium sized businesses up to $15,000 to obtain assistance from universities and colleges with applied research, engineering services, prototyping and field testing. Various Sources, August 31, 2010
The new Stellarton Business Park has signed letters of intent with five potential tenants. Although the Town of Stellarton cannot yet release information on what businesses are interested, they do say some tenants will be starting construction in the fall of 2010. There is currently a Needs Convenience Store and a Sobeys Fast Fuel under construction at the entrance to the Park. Pictou Advocate, August 31, 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