Labour Market Bulletin - Southern Nova Scotia

 

May 2009*

 Overview

Data Source: Statistics Canada's Labour Force Data

Southern Nova Scotia showed a strong labour market performance between April and May 2009, according to the Labour Force Survey.  The unemployment rate fell by 1.2 percentage points to 13.2% in May 2009.  The change came as a result of nearly 2,000 new full-time jobs and a decrease in the level of unemployment.  Both the labour force and the labour force participation rate grew.  Employment and labour force growth between April and May are typical for Southern Nova Scotia as May marks the start of seasonal summer gains.

While there was an improvement from the previous month, the unemployment rate is up significantly from May 2008.  During this period there was a sharp decline in employment and an even sharper increase in unemployment, resulting in the highest May unemployment level since 1997.  While there was a slight increase in full-time employment, this was more than offset by the large drop in part-time employment.  The level and rate of labour force participation rose slightly despite reduced employment opportunities.

Industry Analysis

Both the Goods-Producing Sector and the Service-Producing Sector reflected overall the employment trend in this region in that they had employment declines from May 2008 but showed some strong employment recovery from April 2009.

Within the Goods-Producing Sector, Construction showed employment growth from both the previous month and the previous year.  Manufacturing had the opposite effect, with employment declining during both periods.  While employment in Agriculture was stable, other primary employment fell from May 2008 but recovered from April 2009 levels.

Within the Services-Producing Sector, employment grew most quickly from May 2008 in Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing and Accommodations & Food Services.  There were employment declines during this period in both the Educational Services and Health Care & Social Assistance industries.  Each of the individual industries showed relatively small employment increases or decreases from April 2009.

In the News 

Just over half of Composite Atlantic’s 400 employees began working a four-day work week in early May, taking advantage of the federal work sharing program. Under the program, the company pays the employees for four days and they draw EI benefits for the fifth day. This allows the manufacturer to avoid lay-offs during tough economic times.  Bridgewater Bulletin - 6 May 2009

Lay-off notices went out to 66 unionized workers and four management staff at the Louisiana-Pacific Corp. plant in Lunenburg County. The company is shutting down two manufacturing lines over three months to focus on exterior siding and keep about 210 people working. About 50 workers at the East River plant received layoff notices last fall when the credit crisis sank the U.S. housing market.  Bridgewater Bulletin - 14 May 2009 

Close to 300 workers at the AbitibiBowater newsprint mill near Liverpool will have their third unplanned vacation of the year beginning June 6. The company stated that the mill would be shut down for another six weeks as market conditions remained challenging both nationally and internationally for the paper giant.  Liverpool Advance - 14 May 2009 

The federal government announced $10 million in aid for the troubled lobster fishery and the creation of a lobster development council. The funds are meant to improve marketing, assist in innovation, and develop products and technologies. The lobster fishery wrapped up in south western Nova Scotia at the end of May. The shore price was the lowest in twenty years and there was a lot of bad weather and high winds. Although landings were good, the amount was not enough to offset the low price being paid.  Various Sources - 26 May 2009 

Digby is receiving $2.3 million from the federal-provincial infrastructure program for upgrades to the town’s wastewater treatment facility. The total cost of the project in $3.5 million, the balance being funded by the Town. In addition, over $1 million was announced for three more projects in Digby County: the Weymouth Library, the first phase of the sewage collection system in Deep Brook, and a household hazardous waste depot in Clare.  Digby Courier - 7 May 2009

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