Labour Market Update - Annapolis Valley
February 2010*
Overview
Service Sector employment down from last year.
The level of employment declined during February but so did the labour force. The smaller labour force reduced the number of unemployed and the unemployment rate as compared to January. Jobs lost in the month were all full-time. Part-time jobs increased in number but by less than half the decline in full-time employment.
Compared to this time last year, employment is down, as is the labour force, unemployment and the unemployment rate. An employment decline is typical for February but last year employment maintained its January level in February.
February’s job losses were concentrated in the Goods Producing Sector, specifically among Construction and the Primary industries, those susceptible to seasonal swings in activity.
Service Sector employment improved from January although there were some job losses within the Health Care industry group.
Comparing this month’s labour market to that of last February presents different outcomes. The Goods Sector is performing better this year but Service Sector employment has diminished over the last 12 months. Construction and Manufacturing employment is up over last February but Trade and Professional, Scientific & Professional employment declines forced Service Sector, as well as overall employment, down.
*This report is an analysis of three month moving average data from Statistics Canada’s monthly Labour Force Survey. The reader should be cautioned that because of relatively small sample sizes in subprovincial regions, data reliability may be an issue.
In the News
As of Feb 8, 2010 more than two dozen people are out of work with the closing of a meat processing plant in Greenwood. Bowlby Quality Meats Ltd., a family-owned company that has operated for four generations, is also in the midst of shutting down its retail store in Greenwood. The 28 full-time workers included meat cutters, retail staff, office staff and truck drivers. Chronicle Herald - February 12, 2010
On February 25th Larsen Packers announced that it will be shutting down the fresh pork processing operations at its Berwick facility effective March 26, 2010. The closure of these lines does not impact the plant’s further processed meats operations, which is a profitable business that continues to employ over 300 people. The decision to close the fresh pork processing operations is a direct result of the recent reduction in Maritime hogs, combined with changes to the hog marketing system in Quebec and the tightening of the hog supply in Ontario. This decision will impact approximately 45 hourly employees.
Kings County Register - February 25, 2010
Michelin North America (Canada) has hired 40 new employees as production workers, maintenance-technical workers and salaried employees, such as engineers, at its three plants across the province so far in 2010 and needs to hire somewhere between 75 and 100 more employees immediately. Chronicle Herald - February 10, 2010
The Hanse Society is redeveloping the Upper Clements Wildlife Park into the Upper Clements Adventure Park. The aerial adventure park will be the centerpiece of the development that will also include survival camping, a network of hiking trails with educational interpretation centres, mountain biking trails with BMX courses, horseback riding trails, yurt camping, a paintball arena, along with an arrival plaza to showcase regional attractions and cultures. The redevelopment will be ready for the 2011 operating season with the Aerial Adventure Park possibly opening this fall. Annapolis County Spectator - February 26, 2010
Fundy Gypsum will face another round of layoffs as the company tries to cope with continued slumping worldwide demand for the product, plant manager Mike Bishop confirmed recently. Approximately 30 employees will be laid off around March 31. The company, a subsidiary of USG of Chicago, plans to close its Miller Creek operation and focus its efforts on the Wentworth Creek mine near Windsor, Hants County. The company laid off 46 employees in December 2008 for the same reason, reducing its workforce to 60. The current round of layoffs will leave the company with 30-40 full-time and seasonal employees. They expect this to be temporary depending on the markets.
Chronicle Herald – February 20, 2010
Gary Hartlin
Economist
99 Wyse Road, P.O. Box 1350
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4B9
(902) 426-5561
E-mail: gary.hartlin@servicecanada.gc.ca
Web site: www.labourmarketinformation.ca
Glenn McMullen
Labour Market Information Analyst
495 Main Street
Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 3W5
(902) 679-5516
E-mail: glenn.mcmullen@servicecanada.gc.ca
Web site: www.labourmarketinformation.ca