Labour Market Update - Southern Nova Scotia

Fishermen along South West Nova Scotia and the South Shore are skeptical about the lobster season, which opened on the last day of November. Similar to last season, the price their catch will fetch is the biggest issue. In 2008, fishermen saw an opening price of $3.50 per pound, substantially lower than the norm, around $5 per pound. In addition, the strong Canadian dollar will also mean a smaller return on shipments to the U.S.

A typical season in lobster fishing areas 33 and 34 will bring in about $240 million worth of lobster. That number was down 25 percent last year due to lower lobster prices.  Various Sources   24 November

Starlink Aviation announced the suspension of air services from Yarmouth in late November. The airline no longer has the funding to keep the service running, having used up the $2 million provincial subsidy, which was expected to last four years, in nine months. Starlink employed 10 people locally.  Yarmouth Vanguard   26 November

Contract talks between 3,500 CUPE hospital workers and eight district health authorities across the province broke off in early November. There are 800 CUPE employees within the South West Health district. Examples of workers involved in these contract negotiations are: food and nutrition services, maintenance, housekeeping, laundry, LPNs, PCWs, various technologists and therapists, dieticians and social workers.  Yarmouth Vanguard   3 November

The emergency department at Digby General Hospital was closed for part of 13 days during the month of November. The closures were due to physician unavailability.  Digby Courier   5 November

For the second time in three years, Christmas tree farmers are faced with the problem of strong Canadian currency as they try to market their harvest. Transportation cost for South Shore trees is estimated to be 30 percent higher simply because of distance to the north eastern U.S. market. The higher valued dollar does not affect sales, just profit margin for the growers. Forty percent of Nova Scotian trees come from Lunenburg and Queens counties.  Bridgewater Bulletin   17 November

The Association de al Garderie de la Rive Sud received a $585,401 provincial loan to have a day care attached to Cookville’s new French school, located on Highway 10 in Cookville. The day care will serve about 40 children, ranging in age from 18 months to four year of age, in French and employ seven workers. The school and day care are expected to open next year.  Bridgewater Bulletin   10 November

Construction began on the 18-bed addition to Harbour View Haven Home for Special Care in Lunenburg. The new unit is expected to be opened in August 2010 and staff has been actively recruiting for the 30 additional full-time and part-time positions created by the expansion. The cost of the addition is $6 million, primarily funded through the provincial Department of Health.   Bridgewater Bulletin   24 November