Labour Market Monitor - Southern Nova Scotia
October 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 market in Southern Nova Scotia grew sharply from October 2009 to October 2010. The labour force increased by 2,800 on a year over year basis. Employment increased by 1,100, reflecting an increase in both part time and full time employment. With the increase in the labour force being significantly greater than employment growth, the level of unemployment rose by 1,700 on a year over year basis, and the unemployment rate increased from 8.3 percent in October 2009 to 10.6 percent in October 2010.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Southern | October | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 240 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 64.3 | 66.8 |
| Employed (000) | 58.7 | 59.7 |
| Full Time | 47.8 | 48.1 |
| Part Time | 10.9 | 11.6 |
| Unemployed (000) | 5.5 | 7.1 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 62.3 | 64.9 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 8.6 | 10.6 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Agriculture
A national mink industry group reported that recent auction prices are averaging more than $60 a pelt and topping out at $100 for high quality fur. After the 1992 recession, mink prices were down to $20 but had increased to $50 a pelt before the economic crash in late 2008 brought prices down to the $40 level. Digby Courier - 27 October 2010
Fishing
An American seafood journalist stated that American lobster inventories are low right now, including Maine lobster from the summer fishery. He expects that demand should be healthy as the price for live lobster is up marginally and the price for frozen tail meat is up significantly. He also stated that to insure the quality of live lobster, as much as 40 percent of lobster landed in Nova Scotia should be sent to canneries to avoid a glut of live lobster flooding the U.S. market. Yarmouth Vanguard - 14 October 2010
Construction
Construction of Park View Education Centre's new wing began in October. In addition a tender went out to pave an access road which is expected to alleviate student parking issues at the school. The paving is expected to be completed by mid-November. Avondale Construction was awarded the wing tender that will house a skilled trade lab, music room and two classrooms. The project is expected to be completed by next March. Bridgewater Bulletin - 19 October 2010
Basin Contracting was awarded a $195,650 tender for road paving in Mahone Bay. The work began in mid-October and is expected to be completed in early November. Bridgewater Bulletin - 19 October 2010
The Region of Queens is extending the sewer line to accommodate a townhouse development project on Shipyard Point. The $85,000 project is being financed through the sewer reserve with costs recouped over time through property taxes. Liverpool Advance - 26 October 2010
Manufacturing
Herring workers at fish plants in Yarmouth and Shelburne counties have seen a turnaround in employment after a slow down from mid-June to mid-July. Herring catches have picked up substantially and the mayor of Shelburne stated that most herring workers in Shelburne County would reach the required hours to collect Employment Insurance, something many thought unlikely at the end of July. Various Sources - 19 October 2010
Transportation & Warehousing
The federal government and provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are discussing extending subsidies for the Digby to St. John ferry service. The current assistance package was set to expire at the end of January but it has been extended two months until a more permanent solution can be put forward. Digby Courier - 14 October 2010
East Coast Airways expects to begin air service from Yarmouth to Halifax in November. The company is a subsidiary of Integra Air Inc. of Lethbridge, Alberta. The aircraft used for the service is the 18-passenger, Jetstream 32 turbo-prop. Yarmouth Vanguard - 26 October 2010
Accommodation & Food Services
Cookville's Best Western Hotel opened in early October. The 59-room hotel and convention centre is located off Highway 10 in Lunenburg County. Bridgewater Bulletin - 5 October 2010
A Yarmouth County MLA compiles and presented statistics from local businesses on losses experienced since the CAT ferry service ended. His results showed that most businesses recorded a 50 percent decrease in visitors from the United States. He also noted that these tourists are traditionally the bread and butter for these businesses and organizations. Yarmouth Vanguard - 26 October 2010
The NDP government is expected to issue a tender for consultant services to determine the future of Nova Scotia's three Signature Resorts, including the Digby Pines. Options reportedly include the sale of the properties that reported an operating loss for the first time in 2009. A source at the Digby Pines reported that the resort had over $4 million in revenue and returned about half of that to the region in wages. All three of the resorts are in need of major renovations, according to the management company in charge of the resorts. Digby Courier - 28 October 2010
Public Administration - Federal
The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute (MTRI) received $125,000 in funding through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. The majority of the funding will go towards creating an Atlantic coastal plain flora stewardship plan. Liverpool Advance - 26 October 2010
Public Administration - Local
The Lunenburg council voted to approve the $350,000 purchase of a new pumper truck for the Lunenburg and District Fire Department. The purchase will be cost shared between the town and district 1 and 2 fire commissions. Bridgewater Bulletin - 12 October 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