Labour Market Update - Northern Nova Scotia

September, 2009*

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

Part-time Job Gains Offset Employment Decline

Northern Nova Scotia is the only economic region in the province that saw an employment increase during September. The seasonal labour market cycle in Nova Scotia is such that employment usually peaks in August and drops off thereafter until the Spring.
September’s job gains were all part-time; there was a decline in full-time jobs from August. The number of unemployed diminished slightly because the job gains exceeded the labour force increase.
Employment is still down substantially from last year at this time and the unemployment rate is three points higher than it was in September 2008.
Goods Sector employment rose in September. Only Agriculture saw a decline. The Service Sector experienced a loss of jobs during the month, most notably in the Health Care and Information, Culture & Recreation industry groups.
Both sectors are employing less this month than they did last September. More than two thirds of the jobs lost over the last 12 months were in the Goods Sector and most of these were Manufacturing jobs. Construction employment is also down from last September.

For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at:

www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss08b-eng.htm

In the News – Northern Nova Scotia

Doppelganger Canso Inc., a market research centre in Canso, will close at the end of October 2009. Doppelganger issued layoff notices to all 48 employees. They are blaming the recession for a decline in client demand. Chronicle Herald, Sept 03, 2009

Maple LNG has received a permit to construct a pipeline in Goldboro. The NSURB approved the 2.2 km line to carry natural gas from Maple's proposed LNG terminal to the existing M&NE Pipeline. Maples LNG is still committed to the project and is waiting for market conditions for natural gas to improve. Chronicle Herald, Sept 09, 2009

APM Construction is building 3 eight-unit community homes at the Riverview Adult Residential Centre, Pictou County. A second phase of the project involves renovations to the 90-year-old main building. The centre employs over 100 people. The News, Sept 8, 2009

Bus drivers, custodians and maintenance employees of the Chignecto Central Regional School Board voted 93% in favour of strike action. CUPE members have been without a contract since March 31, 2007; demands include job security and benefit equality in line with other school board employees across Nova Scotia. The News, Sept 22, 2009

Nova Scotia Power has filed an application with the Utility and Review Board (UARB) to develop a 45-megawatt wind farm at Nuttby Mountain, 20 kilometres north of Truro. If approved, the $120 million project will include 22 turbines, a new substation, and transmission interconnection and begin producing power in late 2010. The Daily Business Buzz Sept 14, 2009

LED Roadway Lighting is getting $6 million equity investment through Nova Scotia Business Inc. to help promote and develop its energy-efficient lighting business. With a research office in Halifax and a manufacturing plant in Amherst, the company has created a series of street light fixtures it claims are the most energy efficient in the world. Amherst Daily News, Sept 09, 2009.

The Convergys call centre in Millbrook, Nova Scotia has laid off 30 workers. The job cuts were due to one of the company’s clients requesting a reduction of employees supporting their customer service program. Convergys opened the Millbrook centre in 2004 and employees about 500 people. Truro Daily News, Sept 30, 2009

Just two weeks after cutting 30 employees because of the economic slowdown, IMP Aerospace of Amherst is laying off another seven. They expect these latest layoffs will be for at least six months. IMP employs around 250 people. Amherst Daily News, Sept 08, 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