Labour Market Monitor - Annapolis Valley NS
March 2011
This is an overview of the Annapolis Valley Region which includes Hants, Kings and Annapolis Counties. The Labour Market Monitor is a monthly report focusing on Labour Market Information.
Labour Force Trends
Employment fell by 1,700 in the Valley from March 2010 to March 2011. This reflected a decrease in full time employment of 2,500 which was only partially offset by a small increase in part time work. Over the same period, the labour force increased marginally. With an increasing labour force on a year over year basis, and decreasing employment, the level of unemployment rose by 2,100 and the unemployment rate increased from 9 percent in March 2010 to 12.5 percent in March 2011.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Annapolis Valley | March | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 230 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Labour Force (000) | 59.8 | 60.2 |
| Employed (000) | 54.4 | 52.7 |
| Full Time | 42.2 | 39.7 |
| Part Time | 12.2 | 13.0 |
| Unemployed (000) | 5.4 | 7.5 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 59.7 | 60.3 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 9.0 | 12.5 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Construction
The Port Williams community of nearly 1000 people has been working towards revitalizing its waterfront. Ekistics Planning and Design, experienced in waterfront development, was selected in 2010 following a committee review of all proposals. The entire project would cost $11.2 million, with 300 commercial and residential units built over the 20 to 30 years. The economic impact would be $100 million in construction, $11.3 million in infrastructure, $88 million in a mix of commercial and residential development and $6 million in municipal property taxes ($2.1 million to the village). Web: www.portwilliams.com Kings County Register - March 3, 2011
An Elmsdale company, Atlantic Poly Liners Inc., has won a contract to supply the federal government with a $1.2 million heavy plastic liner to cap a waste-rock pile at a former New Waterford mine. Atlantic Poly Liners started doing business in 1991 and the Hants County firm now employs 30 people, mostly installing liners. Chronicle Herald - March 15, 2011
Trade
Petvalu is opening soon at 54 Silver Fox Drive in New Minas. Web: www.petvalu.com Kentville Advertiser - March 31, 2011
Education
Since receiving news its provincial funding will be reduced by 1.87% in the coming year, the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) has started looking for ways to balance its 2011/2012 budget. The AVRSB operates 43 P-12 schools, including three experiential high schools. With just under 14,500 students (down from 17,614 ten years ago), the board employs approximately 2000 people. The board's 2010/1011 operational budget is $121 million. Reduced provincial funding in combination with the onus on the AVRSB to cover increased costs due to inflation, means the school board must find $4.6M, or between three and four percent , to manage its expenses in 2010/11. Seventy-three percent of its budget supports school instruction and administration, 7.3% is devoted to transportation expenses and 10.17% to property services. Expenses for program and management support for regional programs, regional board management and governance, adult and community education and technology constitute the remainder of the AVRSB's budget. Tait explained every 1% reduction in spending is equivalent to the cost of 17 teachers, 20 bus routes, buses and their drivers; 37 library technicians or 27 secretaries. Hants Journal - March 3, 2011
Construction delays and an unresolved issue with a nearby propane tank have prompted the AVRSB to delay opening Kings County Academy (KCA) - the new Kentville Primary to Grade 8 school - until September. Kings County Register - March 8, 2011
Health Care and Social Assistance
Grand View Manor in Berwick is a significant contributor to the Kings County economy and it's looking to evolve with significant upgrades or an entirely new facility. Grand View Manor is a facility operated by the Kings County Senior Citizens Housing Corporation (KCSCHC). The KCSCHC operates three services: Grand View Manor, a 142 bed, provincially-licensed, not-for-profit nursing home; Orchard View, a 30-unit assisted living apartment; and Fundy Villa, a 40-unit seniors' apartment complex attached to Grand View Manor owned by the regional housing authority. Grand View manor employs 215 full and part-time staff, with a $6.78 million payroll and an additional $1.44 million in employee benefits. The corporation has a total operating budget of $10.4 million: Grand View Manor $9.6 million, Orchard View $640,000 and Fundy Villa $160,000. The biggest challenge the facilities face is working with a 40-year-old building - the manor itself, which is getting overcrowded. Kings County Register - March 1, 2011
Three family physicians - Bustin, Mercer and George - are ready to become the first partners in a new group practice, to be based out of the Western Kings Memorial Health Centre. The old Berwick hospital turned health centre is in the middle of the half million renovation to accommodate the group practice. By May 2011, the new group practice is expected to be up and running. Kings County Register - March 10, 2011
Staffing changes are being made at the Annapolis Community Health Centre (ACHC) in Annapolis Royal, but it won't affect the number of beds or result in layoffs, according to a spokesperson. There will be some staffing changes made which will allow the RN and LPN resources to work to full scope of practice and to fully utilize their skills and training. Currently two registered nurses (RN) and one licensed practical nurse (LPN) are on duty for each shift at ACHC and this will change to one RN and one LPN. A ward clerk will be hired to take on the non-nursing support roles in the centre. Annapolis County Spectator - March 31, 2011
The new 50-bed Heart of the Valley long term care facility in Middleton officially opened its doors on March 24. The Heart of the Valley replaces North Hills in Annapolis Royal. The Gem Group has tentative plans to build two more phases of care in Middleton, one section of independent living quarters for people who are able to maintain their own homes, and another section for people requiring minimal assistance. Clients have access to 24 hour nursing care, as well as medical, nutritional and pharmacy services, and occupational therapy and physiotherapy. The 50 beds at the centre are part of the 849 replacement long-term care beds, which are part of the province's continuing care strategy. Web: www.gemhealth.com Annapolis County Spectator - March 31, 2011
The old Windsor Elms building on Kings Street has been sold to Premium Properties Ltd. - a real estate holdings company that primarily invests in rental properties. The new, $36 million Windsor Elms facility on Dyke Road in Falmouth, opened in November 2010. Hants Journal - March 3, 2011
The efforts to recruit more doctors for the town of Middleton may soon get a welcome boost. The Dalhousie University Medical School has indicated that it's interested in expanding its residency program and Middleton has been selected to proceed with a proposal that, if successful, could bring a number of medical residents to work and train there. Annapolis County Spectator - March 22, 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: glenn.mcmullen@servicecanada.gc.ca
or visit: www.labourmarketinformation.ca