Labour Market Monitor - Southern Nova Scotia
June 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
Although employment levels are down (-1,700) in the Southern area compared to last June, the unemployment rate in the area has actually declined by over 2 percentage points during that time. This decline is due to the fact that 3,400 workers have left the labour force over the past 12 months. This has helped reduce the number of unemployed workers in the area and has pushed the unemployment rate down to 9.9% for June 2011.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Southern | Juney | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 240 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Labour Force (000) | 61.7 | 58.3 |
| Employed (000) | 54.2 | 52.5 |
| Full Time | 42.0 | 41.4 |
| Part Time | 12.2 | 11.0 |
| Unemployed (000) | 7.4 | 5.8 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 62.2 | 59.2 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 12.0 | 9.9 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Agriculture
The provincial government approved two new salmon farms for St. Mary's Bay. Cooke Aquaculture plans to set up the sites just north of Dartmouth Point, adding 1.5 million fish to the company's capacity in Nova Scotia. A company spokesperson stated that this is just the first step in an expansion program that will see a modern hatchery and a processing facility in Shelburne employing 300 people. There could be as many as 58 new jobs in the Digby area. Digby Courier - 14 June 2011
Fishing
Under a one year pilot project, harpoon swordfish licence holders in southwestern Nova Scotia chose their method of fishing this year. Eighty-six fishermen chose individual quota and 98 remained with the competitive fishery where each licence holder tries to catch as much fish as they can before the season closes or the overall quota runs out. The fishery began in late-June and runs until the end of September, as long as quota exists. Yarmouth Vanguard - 21 June 2011
Construction
Dexter Construction was the successful bidder on the $323,000 Empire Street water and sewer system upgrade, phase two of the total project. The job is cost-shared between the Town of Bridgewater and the other two levels of government. Lunenburg Progress Bulletin - 7 June 2011
Roads on the South Shore will be improved with $16.2 million from the province's road improvement plan. Lunenburg County will see eight paving projects, totalling 32 kilometres, with additional projects in both Queens and Shelburne counties. The multi-year plan also states that the Port Mouton to Port Joli bypass on Highway 103, a multi-year project, is scheduled to begin next year. Various Sources - 28 June 2011
Manufacturing
Heavy spring rains led to the layoff of 36, or one shift, at the Harry Freeman and Son sawmill in Queens County. The unusually wet weather has frustrated harvesting and trucking operations. Liverpool Advance - 16 June 2011
Trade
Bridgewater Mall and Eastside Plaza were sold to ZT Bridgewater Investments, a partnership between Zenda Properties and Time Equities. The new owners plan to turn the property into a community centre by adding offices, medical services and government services to a one-stop shop. Lunenburg Progress Bulletin - 14 June 2011
Accommodation & Food Service
Yarmouth was approved by the board of directors of Hockey Canada as the host site for the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, a tournament involving teams from Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland. The event is expected to draw 300 players, along with coaching staffs, media and other hockey personnel. An economic impact study of last year's event stated that the week-long event generated $2.3 million for their local economy. Yarmouth Vanguard - 7 June 2011
The province of Nova Scotia announced a $1 million loan, through the Industrial Expansion Fund, to White Point Beach Resort in early June. The loan will support 175 jobs and help the company grow. White Point, contributing $400,000 into the project, will invest in capital upgrades to rooms, recreation facilities, technology and new marketing initiatives. Liverpool Advance - 7 June 2011
Public Administration - Federal
The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre (PPC) is consolidating its operations to Ottawa to streamline costs and become a self-sustaining, financially viable entity after the loss of $4 million in annual government funding next year. There were 21 people employed at the PPC. Digby Courier - 23 June 2011
The Region of Queens is trimming two RCMP officers from the Queens County detachment. The decision was made as a cost saving measure, reducing the budget by $110,000. Liverpool Advance - 28 June 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