Labour Market Monitor - Annapolis Valley NS
September 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 in the Valley Region grew marginally on a year-over-year basis. The labour force expanded by 400 from September 2009 to September 2010. Employment rose by 200 over the same period, reflecting an increase in part time employment of 1,400 which more than offset a decrease of 1,200 full time jobs. The level of unemployment increased slightly on a year-over-year basis, and the unemployment rate rose to 8.7 percent in September 2010 from 8.4 percent in September 2009.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Annapolis Valley | September | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Region: 1230 | 2009 | 2010 | Change |
| Labour Force (000) | 62.3 | 61.9 | 0.4 |
| Employed (000) | 56.9 | 56.7 | 0.2 |
| Full Time | 45.8 | 47.0 | -1.2 |
| Part Time | 11.2 | 9.8 | 1.4 |
| Unemployed (000) | 5.4 | 5.2 | 0.2 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 60.9 | 60.9 | 0.0 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 8.7 | 8.4 | 0.3 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | |||
Labour Market News by Industry
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
New farmers in Nova Scotia now have a resource to help them start their business. Agriculture Minister launched the new THINKFARM initiative on Aug. 25, which provides information on available programs and services. The THINKFARM program includes a coordinator working on resources for new farmers, a guidebook, resources fact sheets and a website www.gov.ns.ca/thinkfarm that provides a one-stop location for all information. Hants Journal - September 2, 2010
The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is applauding new provincial regulations that will allow seasonal farm workers to use their home driver's licences while employed in the province. The provincial government recently announced that seasonal farm workers would be exempt from the examination and licensing requirements of the Motor Vehicle Act. The changes came after extensive lobbying by farmers. They must be a citizen of Barbados, Jamaica or Mexico, be employed on a farm in Nova Scotia under a work permit, be 16 or older and hold an international driver's permit from their home country within the previous 12 months. They may only drive a vehicle of the class specified on their permit. Chronicle Herald - September 27, 2010
Utilities
The provincial government announced on Sept. 14 it is looking for a fourth developer to try and harness the tides of the Bay of Fundy to generate electricity. Minas Basin Pulp and Power of Hantsport has also been chosen to test turbines in the Bay of Fundy with their project scheduled to be installed in 2012. Chronicle Herald - September 15, 2010
Workers at Scotia Recycling's Kentville plant were on strike first thing Sept. 27. Scotia Recycling handles recycling for Valley Waste from leased land at the authority's transfer station in the Kentville industrial park. The plant's union - UFCW local 864 - organized in March and has yet to sign its first collective agreement. The main issues are wages, overtime, health and safety and working conditions. The plant usually employs 24 full-time and 15-20 part-time workers, with part time employees working up to 37 hours a week. Line workers make $10.71 an hour; forklift operators make $12.75. According to the union, workers received a 2% wage increase in January 2010, but no increase in 2009. The biggest issue according to the union is the employer wants a 6-day work week with no overtime over 48 hours. Approximately 95% of the plant's 35 workers voted to strike after talks with management broke off. Scotia Recycling is part of the Jodrey group of companies, collecting recyclables for its affiliates Minas Basin Pulp and Power. Kings County Register - September 30, 2010
Construction
A new $1.5 million firehall in Bridgetown officially opened on October 2 following nine years of fundraising, planning and building. Chronicle Herald - September 29, 2010
Sod was turned Sept. 10 on a new $25.4 million health service centre at 14 Wing Greenwood air force base. This project involves the construction of a two-storey facility that will significantly improve the standard of health care provided at 14 Wind Greenwood which is home to approximately 1,600 military and 400 civilian personnel. The Department of National Defence (DND) is also contributing $4.5 million to the Municipality of the County of Kings in order for the municipality to upgrade, manage, and maintain the water sanitary systems at Clements Park, a former Wing housing site. Annapolis County Spectator - September 16, 2010
Manufacturing
Yum Foods Ltd. is bringing its diverse product line of baked goods to its new retail location on Cedar Street in Windsor and is expected to be operational by October 4. The food processing facility, known to many as Yum Bakery, has been operating out of Kentville since 1998, but owner David Browning of Martock decided it was time to move operations a little closer to home. Yum Foods, a certified organic food processing facility accredited through the Atlantic Certified Organic Co-operative, distributes to larger grocery chains in metro and the Maritimes, and independent organic food outlets in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. They currently have five employees but with a strong potential for market growth, comes the potential for new job openings in their Windsor plant. www.yumfoods.ca Hants Journal - September 29, 2010
Trade
Paul Grimm announced in June his Welsford-based nursery business - Springvale Nursery - was in financial difficulty and needed to turn $1 million immediately to transition the business from nursery sales to landscaping and wholesale tree purchases. The plan was liquidate as much as possible from an estimated $3 million inventory which yielded average results. With an objective to be successful and solvent for the long-term Grimm credits nursery staff - some of whom have taken lay-offs in recent weeks and will be back again for the next selling push. They are unsure if they will have a garden centre here next spring, but are keeping their options open. Kings County Register - September 2, 2010
Loblaw Companies Limited is looking for post-secondary graduates interested in a rewarding career in grocery retail through its grad@Loblaw program which offers college and university grads from across Canada as well as recent graduates currently employed at Loblaws, a full-time position and the opportunity to gain a strong foundation in the grocery retail business. Loblaw is currently accepting applications until October 7 for the next group of graduates that will start the program in January 2011. Grads can apply at www.loblawgrad.ca Daily Business Buzz - September 21, 2010
Wheaton's, headquartered in Berwick, is celebrating 20 years in business this year. It has grown into a unique family owned/operated retail and production business specializing in solid wood handcrafted furniture, giftware and home décor. Since opening the Berwick location in 1990, Wheaton's has successfully established 4 additional locations as well as the popular Cider Press Café at its Berwick location and employs over 100 people. Daily Business Buzz - September 9, 2010
Transportation and Warehousing
Kings Transit (KT) now owns the former Bonnyman car dealership property in New Minas, and the bus service is getting ready to establish its headquarters, including a repair and maintenance facility and offices, on site. Repairs and maintenance are probably KT's biggest budget items. Currently, it has to contract out about 90% of its work but with the new facility, KT will be able to hire its own mechanic, something it hasn't been able to do in the past. KT now has more than 30 staff members, many of them drivers. Kings County Register - September 16, 2010
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
The Annapolis Valley Real Estate Board reports sales are down in August 2010, compared to the same month in 2009. According to statistics provided by the board, units sold were 13% less than August 2009 and dollar value of sales was down 3%. Provincial numbers were down 12 and 5% respectively. However, home sales for the first eight months of 2010 are 6% above 2009 levels. With demand softening, and a greater selection of properties available for sale, the housing market is becoming more challenging for sellers according to board president Lorna Fulton. The average price for home sales in the Valley for August 2010 was $151,922, rising 11% from a year earlier. The provincial average price, by comparison, was up 8% to $202,573 in August. Kings County Register - September 30, 2010
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
The damage caused by hurricane Earl has caused an increase in business for Nova Scotia arborists. Atlantic Arborists Ltd. of Kingston's 12-person crew and its 5 aerial lift trucks were called out by the utility to deal with the effects of Earl. During this time people work 15-16 hour days until things get back to normal. Due to skill level and experience needed they don't hire additional staff to deal with often dangerous storm-related work. Chronicle Herald - September 8, 2010
Education
Classes are back in session at the West Hants Middle School (WHMS) for the first time since its closure in June 2009. WHMS closed for the 2009-10 school year while undergoing $10.5 million of extensive renovations which are now completed. Hants Journal - September 9, 2010
Health Care and Social Assistance
The emergency room at Annapolis Community Health Centre is expanding its regularly scheduled service on Oct.7. The health centre's emergency room has been closed for 24-hours periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays since Sept. 8, 2009, due to physician shortages. With the return of Dr. Ken Buchholz to the Annapolis Community Health Centre ER physician schedule they are now able to reopen for service on Thursdays. Annapolis Valley Health is still recruiting to cover further physician shortages in Annapolis Royal, Berwick and Middleton. Chronicle Herald - September 22, 2010
Middleton's collaborative practice is currently recruiting for a new physician as Dr. Theepa Nagiah is leaving the Middleton Medical Practice. Annapolis County Spectator - September 23, 2010
The Windsor Elms Village is prepping to move 108 residents from their current King Street location to the newly built $36-million complex in Falmouth on November 2. The project was funded by the Department of Health. Hants Journal - September 30, 2010
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
eOne Entertainment confirms filming of the second season of Call Me Fitz begins September 22 in New Minas. Crew members are already on set and at the Wolfville production office. The TV show is receiving provincial tax credits, but not the equity investment they received in season one. The television industry is one of the most competitive in North America and the shows are forced to follow the tax credits and investment money. Commitment to the 100% Canadian production - with a large contingent of Nova Scotian cast and crew - would be good for the local area with an estimated $50 Million in spin-off spending if the show ran for 5 years. The first season of Call Me Fitz, filmed in New Minas last year from October to January, airs on TMN September 19. Kings County Register - September 9, 2010
Accommodation and Food Service
The observations made in recent newsletters about a perceived increase in visitors travelling in our area were validated last week in the provincial government's latest report on tourism traffic, citing a 3% increase over the first 7 months compared to the same period last year. One of the leading reasons was the increasing popularity of outdoor adventure opportunities being offered to visitors. That's a growing demand being made by our visitors - and an option that a number of operators are being quick to offer, especially here in Annapolis Digby. As a matter of fact ADEDA has been working closely with our tourism industry constituency to help them take advantage of the rapid demand for "experiential" tourism. With the tourism figures up - and the increasing interest in Annapolis Digby as a prime destination for adventure and eco travel - it's becoming increasingly important in the minds of our tourism operators that our Fundy ferry connection with Canada and the US be upgraded and maintained. Annapolis-Digby Economic Development Agency Newsletter - September 20, 2010
Public Administration
Identifying and strengthening sustainable sport opportunities in the Annapolis Valley region is the mission of a new pilot program of Sport Nova Scotia and Health Promotion and Protection. As part of the program, Sport Nova Scotia has hired Melissa Newton as a community sport development coordinator based at the Health Promotion and Protection office in Kentville. Phone: (902) 679-4336 ; Email: mnewton@sportnovascotia.ca Annapolis County Spectator - September 9, 2010
Annapolis County Council has given notice to the Annapolis-Digby Economic Development Agency and its other funding partners that it intends to withdraw from the Annapolis-Digby Economic Development Agency, taking its annual funding with it to take effect on September 21, 2011, throwing the Agency's future in doubt. The Agency was established three years ago after the county withdrew from the former development agency, citing irreconcilable differences in direction on development issues. This time around there have been discussions about interpretation of the funding agreement between the six partners, which include Annapolis and Digby Counties and the four towns of Digby, Annapolis Royal, Bridgetown and Middleton. Sources say there was also disagreement over the priority being placed on a proposed residential investment plan for the area. Chronicle Herald - September 29, 2010
Miscellaneous
The Clean Annapolis River Project will receive $30,000 in federal funding to support its community youth internship project. The funding, under the Career Focus program, will help two recent post-secondary graduates apply the skills they acquired through their education. As part of the Federal Youth Employment Strategy, the Career Focus program helps young Canadians obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed. Chronicle Herald - September 20, 2010
Under Canada's Rural Partnership, proposals are invited for the Rural Community Development Program to assist rural and coastal communities to respond to their challenges, to become more competitive, more innovative and to build on their natural and cultural assets. Applications will be accepted for single or multi-year projects on an on-going, first-come-first-served basis up to November 30, 2012 with all funded activities to be completed by March 31, 2013. For more details see the Applicants Guide and Application Form on the Rural Website at www.rural.gc.ca Annapolis-Digby Economic Development Agency Newsletter - September 27, 2010
Folks at the Job Resource Centre (JRC) in Windsor are asking local business owners, leaders and professionals to share their expertise with job seekers in Hants County. Starting Oct. 6, the JRC at 80 Water street will host Career Cafe networking sessions every Wednesday from 9-11 am to help job seekers connect with potential employers. The plan is to have reputable community leaders give up-and-comers tips on how to conduct a successful job search, where to look and how to prepare for job interviews. www.jobresourcecentre.ca Hants Journal - September 30, 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