Labour Market Monitor - Southern Nova Scotia
February 2011
This is an overview of the Southern Region which includes Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg Counties.
The Labour Market Monitor is a monthly report focusing on labour market information produced by a local Labour Market Information Analyst.
Labour Force Trends
Employment continued to grow in the Southern Nova Scotia region, rising by 1,300 on a year over year basis. The increase in employment was entirely in full time work, with part time employment actually deteriorating slightly over the period. With the labour force decreasing by 1,000 from February 2010 to February 2011, the number of unemployed fell by 2,400 and the unemployment rate fell sharply (4 percentage points) to 11.8 percent this month compared to the same time period last year.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Southern | February | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 240 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Labour Force (000) | 57.6 | 56.6 |
| Employed (000) | 48.5 | 49.8 |
| Full Time | 37.8 | 39.2 |
| Part Time | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Unemployed (000) | 9.1 | 6.7 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 57.9 | 57.3 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 15.8 | 11.8 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Utilities
Ottawa is contributing $9.2 million over the next decade to help fund the Digby Neck Wind Farm, which has 20 turbines. The funding comes from the federal ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program. The Digby Neck site is capable of producing enough emission-free electricity to power more than 10,000 homes. Digby Courier - 28 February 2011
Construction
Site work began at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in February as a Halifax-based company cleared trees off the Bridgewater site. This is the first step in the pre-construction phase of the $33.5 million project built in the town's business park, close to the North Park Street and Wentzell Drive intersection. Bridgewater Bulletin - 1 February 2011
Construction figures were down last year in Mahone Bay. A report from the town's building inspector indicated permits issued were valued at $687,739 in 2010, compared to almost $1.5 million in 2009, $1.3 million in 2008 and $2.6 million in 2007. Bridgewater Bulletin - 8 February 2011
The federal government announced over a half million dollars of work will be carried out at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal. Work includes fence replacement, the removal of underground oil storage and upgraded outdoor lighting. Yarmouth Vanguard - 23 February 2011
Manufacturing
Shelburne Ship Repair saw increased activity in February with work on their first vessel since closing to refurbish the site. There were 40 people working on a CSL cargo ship on the wharf. This is in addition to ongoing work on their marine railway and cradle. After 13 years of leasing the site, Irving purchased the site from the province and received a $9 million loan to make improvements to the site. Eighty percent of the loan is forgivable if conditions, including job creation, are maintained. Shelburne Coastguard - 22 February 2011
Trade
Lunenburg's Famous Town Ladies Shop closed after 45 years in business in late-February. The owners saw the downturn in business beginning three years ago. The closing of the shop means that there are 12 vacant store fronts on Lincoln Street. Bridgewater Bulletin - 8 February 2011
According to the two local school boards, the province's 1.65 percent cut to education funding will actually amount to 4 percent or $2.7 million for the South Shore Regional School Board and almost $3 million from the Tri-County Regional School Board, as the reduction does not take into account cost of living and inflationary pressures. The boards were directed to reduce administration by at least 15 percent next year and plan for a 50 percent reduction in board consultants over the next three years. Various Sources - 17 February 2011
The South Shore Regional School Board announced that it is cutting 13 positions in its regional office because of funding cuts by the province. Positions affected include learning disability specialists, math and literacy consultants, a speech language pathologist and a healthy living consultant. Bridgewater Bulletin - 24 February 2011Health Care and Social Assistance
The province announced that nursing home residents in four health districts, including South West and South Shore, will have access to an on-site nurse practitioner for better suited care. The decision on actual locations has not yet been decided. The four positions and operating expenses will cost about $568,000 annually and they should be in place by the spring. Digby Courier - 24 February 2011
Accommodation & Food Services
The fate of Nova Scotia's three signature resorts, including the Digby Pines, is uncertain but the provincial government stated that there are four potential companies interested in the facilities. The resorts will continue to operate under the management of New Castle Hotels during the 2011 tourism season. Digby Courier - 24 February 2011
Note: In preparing this bulletin, 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 the bulletin was published. Readers are encouraged to also refer to other sources for additional information on the local economy and labour market. Information contained in this bulletin does not necessarily reflect official policies of Service Canada.For more information please contact:
David Doucette
Labour Market Information Analyst
david.doucette@servicecanada.gc.ca
or visit our website at: www.labourmarketinformation.ca