Labour Market Monitor - Annapolis Valley NS
May 2010
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
The labour market continued to deteriorate in the Valley Region on a year over year basis. Employment fell significantly (2,700) on a year over year basis, with the decrease in employment reflecting a large drop in full time work (3,600) being offset by an increase in part time work of 900. The labour force in the Valley decreased by 2,300 over the same time period. With the decrease in employment being larger than the drop in the labour force, the level of unemployment increased on a year over year basis, and the unemployment rate increased from 9.0 percent in May 2009 to 10.0 percent in May 2010.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Valley | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 230 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 63.2 | 60.9 |
| Employed (000) | 57.6 | 54.9 |
| Full Time | 46.8 | 43.2 |
| Part Time | 10.8 | 11.7 |
| Unemployed (000) | 5.7 | 6.1 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 62.2 | 59.7 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Information, Culture and Recreation
Upper Clements Park is back on track according to Gregg Gaul, general manager. Overall revenue was steady and grew last year, good news considering the lagging economy and poor weather of the 2009 season. The Hanse Society took over ownership of the park 3 years ago and has since invested more than $1.5 million into the infrastructure. Last September the Wildlife Park closed and now the society has plans to redevelop the area as the Upper Clements Adventure Park. Gaul added this development would enhance the adjoining theme park to create a "vacation destination" that appeals to a wider range of visitors. The proposed new adventure park will eventually offer an aerial park with zip lines and suspension bridges; hiking and walking trails; a paintball arena; survival camping; riding trails and an equestrian centre; a butterfly conservatory; and a festival park. The new park is expected to create 40 new seasonal jobs and initially add at least $250,000 to the local economy. The park would operate longer from May-October. The timeline from completion of the project extends over two years. Later this year and into spring of 2011, Phase 1 would see the aerial park, survival camping, mountain bike trails, paintball arena, horseback trails, and possibly the completion of the Yurt camping site. Phase 2 is set to begin next summer and will include the festival and events arena, a petting zoo, and a conservatory. Total costs for the aerial park are projected at $492,500, with an estimated total development cost of $700,000. The park generates about $8 million in economic spin-offs for the region and employs about 150 people from Weymouth to Middleton. Annapolis County Spectator - May 6, 2010
Manufacturing
BioMedica Diagnostics Inc. of Windsor plans to glean profits from wealthier nations to support medical advancement in poorer countries. The company's 5-year, $500,000 expansion will serve to market, and promote its QuickCoag product, which for the past three years has sold well in North America, Europe, China, Japan and Russia. Revenue from those sales will enable the company to purchase diagnostic equipment in African countries. The provincial government recently awarded BioMedica a $250,000 five-year payroll rebate to support the expansion. Kirumira said over the next 3-5 years the company would hire 25 additional employees to help to market QuickCoag, install laboratories in Africa, Brazil and Trinidad and create the second generation QuickCoag product. BioMedica formed in Windsor in 1999 and employs 15. As a relatively small company it has gained global recognition. Hants Journal - May 6, 2010
Trade
Bishop's Cellar, a private, specialty wine store in Halifax, is looking to expand to downtown Wolfville. The retail outlet would feature premium, local wines year-round. Kentville's council advisory committee unanimously recommended the town sign a letter to the minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission, supporting the move. Kentville Advertiser - May 18, 2010
After months of renovations Annapolis Home Hardware Building Centre (R.C. Lawrie Enterprises Ltd.) is celebrating its official opening in Annapolis Royal on May 12. Annapolis County Spectator - May 6, 2010
Education
A projected drop in enrolment for the 2010/11 academic year will translate into 20 fewer teachers working in the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) schools come fall. Margo Tait, AVRSB superintendent, says data shows student numbers will be reduced by 300 this September - the third consecutive year in which the board will experience a drop of 300 students. Fewer students in the system will also result in a slight drop in the number of educational assistants working in the schools in 2010/2011. Fewer students will not, however, translate into a reduction in staff at the regional office. The number of administrative staff will remain unchanged, and an additional position was budgeted for to implement the long-awaited student information system. As part of its staffing allocation package the school did approve a motion to close the Teacher's Resource Centre, in New Minas. Open since 1975, the centre has been staffed by one full-time teacher and is slated to close at the end of this school year. The school board received its final budget profile in early May. Under the provincial formula, the AVRSB will see an overall funding increase of 1% for 2010/2011, which Tait cautions will not be sufficient to cover the board's existing expenses. Tait offers assurances the school board has no plans to cut exiting programs however. Annapolis County Spectator - May 20, 2010
The Annapolis Valley Regional School Board is recommending closure of Annapolis Royal Regional Academy (ARRA) in 2013 pending a formal school review process. Annapolis West Education Centre is currently undergoing renovations that when completed will be able to accommodate the influx of ARRA students that will be sent there as a result. It was recommended that Bridgetown Regional Elementary School (BRES) and Lawrencetown Consolidated School (LCS) move to a P-5 configuration in September 2011 and effective the same date, Bridgetown Regional High School (BRHS) will house students in Grades 6-12. Further down the road in 2015, and following a formal school review process, the school board is recommending closure of BRES and that BRHS become a P-12 school. Changes are also in store at Middleton's Annapolis East Elementary School (AEES), which is being recommended to become a P-5 school, and Middleton Regional High School (MRHS), which will pick up AEES's Grade 6 population effective September 2011. Annapolis County Spectator - May 13, 2010
Economic Conditions:
The Conference Board of Canada says Nova Scotia's real gross domestic product growth will be contained to 2.2% in 2010 and will drop to 1.9% in 2011. The economy will benefit from government stimulus spending early in the period, some revival in consumer demand and manufacturing, and medium sized construction projects. However, the winding down of construction on the Deep Panuke offshore project and of stimulus measures later in the period, and the rise in harmonized sales tax balance the outlook. Chronicle Herald - May 11, 2010
According to Export Development Canada, Nova Scotia will see some growth in exports over the next couple of years. Increases are expected in natural gas, agri-foods, and tires. Fish exports may show a modest increase, and some recovery in the U.S. housing market should help local wood products. Chronicle Herald - May 27, 2010
According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp., there will be a moderate rise in both single and multiple home starts in Atlantic Canada in 2010 and 2011 as low interest rates, rising incomes, and moderate job growth encourage consumer spending. Existing home sales are also expected to increase in the region. Chronicle Herald - May 20, 2010
A province-wide ban will outlaw people from using or selling many forms of pesticides by next year. The ban on "non-essential" pesticides will take effect next spring for lawn care and spring of 2012 for ornamental shrubs, flowers and trees. A list of low-risk pesticides to be allowed will be developed over the coming months. Industry will be consulted during the compiling of the list. The ban will not apply to agriculture, forestry, golf courses and Christmas tree operations. Pesticide use on vegetable gardens will also not be affected. Chronicle Herald - May 5, 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: glenn.mcmullen@servicecanada.gc.ca
or visit: www.labourmarketinformation.ca