Labour Market Update - Northern Nova Scotia

The Nuttby Wind Project has been approved by the Nova Scotia Utility Review Board (URB). Nova Scotia Power Inc. can proceed with land clearing and construction of the roads, turbines, substation and transmission lines. NSP is in the process of constructing a $120-million, 45-megawatt wind farm on the top of Nutty Mountain. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2010 or early 2011. Truro Daily News, Dec 01, 2009

 

Colchester County council has decided it would make a $14.4-million capital contribution, as opposed to the original estimate of $6.6 million, for the nearly $50 million multi-use facility Truro Civic Centre. The decision is conditional based on the federal government confirming a $10-million contribution, capital cost sharing ratio of 60 per cent from the county and 40 per cent from Town of Truro and new capital grants received from government or government agencies. The Town of Truro agreed to double its contribution from $4.4 million to $9.6 million. Truro Daily News, Dec 11, 2009

 

The province will build a new $31.3-million, 100-cell correctional centre that will serve Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough and Richmond counties. It will create about 70 new jobs and those presently working at the correctional facilities in Amherst and Antigonish will be given an opportunity to move to the new jail when it’s built. The decision will affect 26 employees at the Cumberland jail. No decision has been made about the location of the new jail, but a number of factors will be considered including cost efficiency, proximity to the busiest courts, 100-series highways and necessary amenities and services. Although desirable, recent information suggests that locating the new facility in Cumberland County is very unlikely. Amherst Daily News, Dec 02, 2009 

 

The Colchester Co-op grocery store, in Truro, will be closing in January of 2010.  Members of the co-op have voted to dissolve the 53-year-old business, largely due to increased competition from the larger box stores. By closing the grocery store sooner, it will enable the Co-op to liquidate its assets, pay off its creditors and provide severances for its 20 part-time and 7 full-time employees. The Co-op farm store, Truro Feed Mill and the Co-op Fuels home heating operations are not affected by the closure. Truro Daily News, Dec 18, 2009 

 

Orex Exploration in partnership with Osisko are moving forward with a $2.9 million drilling plan for their gold mining property in Goldboro. Drilling will begin in early 2010 in previously undrilled portions of the mine. Guysborough Journal, December 02, 2009

 

The Strait Regional School Board wants to fill 10 teaching positions at the Department of Education's 2010 early-hire job fairs held at N.S. universities. SRSB is looking for teachers in math/science, Gaelic, French, technology education and equity positions. SRSB say there are few applicants for these subject areas each year. Antigonish Casket, December 16, 2009

 

Support staff at St. F.X. University joined the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union as of December 1, 2009. The bargaining unit now represents 151 workers at the University.  This includes clerical, administrative, technical and non-professional employees. The union hopes to begin contract talks for Local 88 in February 2010. Antigonish Casket, December 09, 2009 

 

Eastern GMC, Antigonish will close its Pontiac, Buick and light-duty GM truck division at the end of 2009.  They will continue to sell medium-duty trucks for GM.  Eastern is still looking to partner with another automobile manufacturer. Antigonish Casket, December 23, 2009

 

EnCana's Deep Panuke project in Goldboro, Guysborough County is on schedule to begin offshore drilling and onshore construction in 2010. R. MacLean Forestry Ltd. will begin tree clearing, followed by grading and building of access roads. Robert B. Somerville Co. Ltd. will construct and install the onshore pipeline. Various Sources, December 12, 2009