Labour Market Monitor - Southern Nova Scotia
May 2010
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 providing information on labour market developments for specific regions within the province.
Labour Force Trends
The labour force decreased by 1,400 in Southern Nova Scotia from May 2009 to May 2010. Employment fell by 1,700 on a year over year basis in the region, reflecting a very large decrease in full time work (4,100) being only partially offset by an increase in part time work. With employment decreasing at a faster rate than the labour force, the level of unemployment rose comparing May 2010 with the same month last year. Correspondingly, the unemployment rate increased on year over year basis, rising from 13.2 percent to 13.9 percent this month.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Southern NS | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 240 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 63.8 | 62.4 |
| Employed (000) | 55.3 | 53.6 |
| Full Time | 45.1 | 41.0 |
| Part Time | 10.3 | 12.6 |
| Unemployed (000) | 8.4 | 8.7 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 61.7 | 60.5 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 13.2 | 13.9 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Agriculture
The province introduced legislation that sets new rules to manage and develop the fur industry in Nova Scotia. The proposed legislation places more responsibility on ranchers to ensure their operations take into account the effect on their neighbours and the environment. The Nova Scotia mink industry saw export sales over $65 million in 2208, rising to almost $80 million last year. Yarmouth Vanguard - 6 May 2010
Construction
Dexter Construction was awarded a contract valued at over $4.8 million for construction and paving of roads and ramps to connect the Hectanooga Interchange to Highway 101 at Exit 32. The contract was cost-shared with the federal government. Work began in May and is expected to be completed early in the summer. Yarmouth Vanguard - 25 May 2010
Plans for Lunenburg's new primary to grade-9 school, Bluenose Academy, were unveiled in late-May. The facility will be a more environmentally conscious building. Construction is expected to begin this summer with completion sometime during the 2011-12 school year. Bridgewater Bulletin - 25 May 2010
A $2 million waterline extension project began in the Town of Shelburne in May. ACL Construction, of Dartmouth, won the contract and is expecting to work on the project throughout the spring and summer in several phases. Funding for the project came from all three levels of government. Shelburne Coastguard - 25 May 2010
Federal funding of $326,000 was announced to complete the theatre at École Secondaire de Par-en-Bas. The theatre is the last major uncompleted piece of the new school community centre. Construction is expected to be completed in time for the start of school next September. Yarmouth Vanguard - 25 May 2010
Manufacturing:
Workers at AbitibiBowater pulp and paper mills in Eastern Canada voted 63.5 percent to approve a new collective agreement that includes cost reductions for the company, but protects pensions for retirees and workers. The five-year agreement includes a 10 percent wage reduction, with wage increases resuming in 2012 and 2013. The agreement covers about 3,000 CEP members in 18 unions, including Liverpool. Liverpool Advance - 18 May 2010
Montreal-based ABB Turbocharging acquired the turbo charging service division of ABCO Industries Limited in Lunenburg. The company just completed a major renovation of their new space which occupies a building they are leasing from ABCO. New equipment will allow the company to do service work that in the past had to be done in Montreal. All former ABCO employees in the turbo charging division have moved over to ABB. Bridgewater Bulletin - 25 May 2010
The provincial government, through Nova Scotia Business Inc., authorized $5 million in default guarantees to A.F. Theriault and Son to allow the company to bid on government contracts this year that require performance, material and warranty bonding. The support should help the shipyard secure more contracts and maintain employment in the Clare area. They currently employ 125 people, including welders, electricians, skilled tradespersons and engineers. Yarmouth Vanguard - 20 May 2010
Health Care and Social Assistance:
Bridgewater's newest long-term care complex, Ryan Hall by Shannex, welcomed its first clients at the end of May. The 65-bed development is geared to home care and independent living arrangements. Ryan Hall has hired 80 people, including six full-time and four part-time registered and licensed practical nurses. Continuing care assistants will handle most of the needs for the independent living side of the complex. Bridgewater Bulletin - 11 May 2010
South Shore Health reported that approximately 50 women took advantage of the newly established midwifery service in its first year, despite a slow start in the first six months. Of the 50 midwife-attended births, half delivered in the hospital while the remaining chose home births. The number is expected to increase to about 70 or 80 this year. Bridgewater Bulletin - 18 May 2010
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