Labour Market Monitor - Annapolis Valley NS
October 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 force in the Valley Region expanded on a year-over-year basis, rising by 1,100 from October 2009 to October 2010. Employment rose by 400 over the same period, reflecting an increase in part time employment of 1,400 which more than offset the decrease in full time jobs. The level of unemployment increased by 700 on a year over year basis, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.4 percent in October 2010 from 8.5 percent a year earlier.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Annapolis Valley | October | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 230 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 62.4 | 63.5 |
| Employed (000) | 57.1 | 57.5 |
| Full Time | 46.6 | 45.7 |
| Part Time | 10.4 | 11.8 |
| Unemployed (000) | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 61.3 | 62.1 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 8.5 | 9.4 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Kings County council recently approved the motion to support a gradual reduction in clear-cutting as part of the new natural resources strategy, encouraging Minister John MacDonell to move ahead with a management plan to reduce clear-cutting as part of the strategy. Kings County Register - October 7, 2010
Utilities
Approximately 25 workers at Scotia Recycling Ltd. in Kentville of Local 864 of the United Food and Commercial Workers of Canada who sort recyclables at Valley Waste Resource Management Operations have been on strike since Sept. 27. Kings and Annapolis counties and six Valley towns fund the municipal waste management agency where Scotia Recycling has a contract with the agency and leases property from it in the Kentville industrial park. The sorters, who are paid $10.71 an hour, are seeking a first collective agreement after joining the union in March. While many issues have been resolved since the strike began, length of the work week and overtime hours remain outstanding issues. Chronicle Herald - October 29, 2010
Construction
A roundabout is now under construction on Commercial Street in New Minas that will tie into the realigned Granite Drive. Within the next few years, a Highway 101 interchange will take traffic to and from Granite Drive - and there will be more roundabouts. The $2,521,600 tender for the current roundabout was awarded to Dexter Construction on September 9 and is expected to be completed by the end of November. Site preparation for the new interchange could begin as soon as 2012, with the bulk of construction the following summer, but it's possible the schedule could change. Kentville Advertiser - October 12, 2010
The Crossing - a $25 million manufactured home community outside Windsor is marketing itself toward seniors. Billed as an "adult living community" it is aimed at people 55 and up. Brison Developments Ltd. has approval for 200 lots on the Garlands Crossing, Hants County site and already has 55 lots prepared. The units are built by Prestige Homes in Sussex, N.B. Chronicle Herald - October 13, 2010
A $1.27-million project involving the installation of a fire suppression system to safeguard Port Royal National Historic Site is now complete. The work was a tourism infrastructure project made possible through Canada's Economic Growth Plan which created local jobs and economic activity and will also encourage tourism in this area. Annapolis County Spectator - October 21, 2010
The provincial ministerial review of the proposed Port Williams Secondary Planning Strategy (SPS) and associated land use amendments has cleared Service Nova Scotia and municipal Relations Minister Jennex's office: The upper portion of the land along Collins Road will remain farm land, which will restrict residential development. This land represents approximately half of the area the County of Kings requested be rezoned. Kings submitted Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) amendments as part of its Secondary Planning Strategy (SPS) to expand the Port Williams growth centre, an area of land designated for commercial or residential development. Kings County Register - October 7, 2010
The Wolfville Farmer's Market moved Oct. 9 for the last time between summer and winter homes into the Acadia Students' Union building for the winter or until the new market opens. Roscoe Construction is taking on the redevelopment of the old DeWolfe fruit warehouse, an $800,000 project to make the building structurally sound, add large, roll-up windows; room for 70 vendors and a multi-use area. www.wolfvillefarmersmarket.ca/new-home Kentville Advertiser - October 19, 2010
Manufacturing
Increasing demand for the X-One truck tire, manufactured at Michelin's Waterville plant, was one of the bright lights identified by the provincial forecast released Oct. 27 by Export Development Canada that is expected to help drive exports from Nova Scotia into double digit growth in 2011. Chronicle Herald - October 28, 2010
Trade
Giant Tiger is now open at 18 Millett Drive in New Minas. Web: www.gianttiger.com ; Phone: (902) 681-7808 Kings County Register - October 14, 2010
The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy is now open at 12 Elm Avenue, Unit E. in Wolfville. Phone: (902) 697-3101 Kentville Advertiser - October 19, 2010
The Brooklyn Street Market (4 businesses - Petro Canada, Convenience Store, Robin's Donuts, Greco Pizza) opened on September 27. The business employs 15 staff, nine of these full time positions, already making it a significant new employer for this area. Owner: Kim Connell. Annapolis County Spectator - October 28, 2010
Education
The superintendent of the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) is uneasy about the provincial government's plan to balance the books by 2013 and expressed concern over impending $772M in proposed cuts to provincial spending. No job cuts have been announced thus far. Kings County Register - October 14, 2010
Health Care and Social Assistance
The highly anticipated opening of the new 50-bed Heart of the Valley long-term care facility in Middleton is getting closer. The new nursing home is expected to open by the end of the year or early January 2011 at the latest, and when completed will replace the North Hills in Granville Ferry. Most of the North Hills staff are likely to transfer to the new facility in Middleton, however some departments are likely to have job openings and anyone interested in working at the new facility is encouraged to apply. For more information on The Heart of the Valley long-term care facility, visit the Gem Health Care Group online at www.gemhealth.com Annapolis County Spectator - October 21, 2010
A newly created position at Annapolis Valley Health (AVH) is educating the community about mental health and how to access services and treatment available. The Health Promotion Coordinator for AVH Mental Health and Addictions Services will work with individuals, families, schools, and partner organizations to provide public education and advocacy around mental health issues and help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. Annapolis County Spectator - October 7, 2010
In 2010, Annapolis Valley Health (AVH), in partnership with 14 Wing Greenwood, opened a new primary care clinic on the base and recently added a new physician to the team. Resources continue to be a challenge and valley hospitals were at capacity all year in addition to pressures in emergency rooms that led to closures in Annapolis Royal and Middleton. Valley Regional Hospital's emergency department has also recently been designated the stroke center for the Annapolis Valley and have introduced a stroke program team. Kings County Register - October 14, 2010
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
The new $13-million Kings Mutual Century Center officially opened on October 17. Construction of the arena and recreation facility began in May 2009 and Phase 2 and 3 can now begin which will see the building expand to include a curling rink, fitness center and library. www.KMCCberwick.ca Chronicle Herald - October 18, 2010
Municipal council is asking residents to be patient as discussions continue in an effort to bring Fundy Y to the county of Annapolis. If the funding is confirmed soon the Fundy Y could open its doors as early as April 15, 2011. Annapolis County Spectator - October 28, 2010
Middleton and District Rink Commission is pleased to announce that a renovation project for the Middleton Arena valued at approximately $182,000 is nearing completion. Annapolis County Spectator - October 28, 2010
Accommodation and Food Service
Windmill Café is now open alongside the Sourdough Country Bakery at 5673 Highway #1 in Cambridge. Phone: (902) 538-7502 ; Owner: Linda Cochrane Kentville Advertiser - October 26, 2010
Innovative Systems - a computer retailer/repair shop - recently packed up their Commercial Street location on October 5 and reopened in Milne Court to support larger space requirements needed for their contract with the Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship recycling program. As part of the move they have closed the Innovative Diner portion of the business. Owner: Stephen Wilsack Kentville Advertiser - October 26, 2010
Public Administration
Schools in Western Kings County are pushing back on the RCMP's decision to cut one of two school resources officers working in the county with a petition to re-instate the Western Kings position. Faced with tough staffing decisions over the summer, Kings RCMP redirected funding for the school liaison position in Western Kings in order to retain its full-time criminal analyst position and devote officer resources necessary to complete a government-mandated School Actions For Emergencies (SAFE) plan for Acadia University. District Inspector Mike Payne is hopeful that the position will be restored in western region schools by September 2011. Kings County Register - October 28, 2010
Joint negotiation between the Police Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) and the towns of Kentville, Bridgewater, Amherst and New Glasgow have broken down and returned to bargaining individually with the towns at this time. The towns were attempting to negotiate with PANS a uniform contract with the view to try to develop a long-term contact to look at trying to make the costs of policing more stable and hoping to tie police wage increases to a national average of about 80 police forces across the country, with automatic increases each April 1. Kentville Police have been without a contract since March 31, 2008. Kings County Register - October 28, 2010
During its regular council session on October 19, Annapolis County councillors agreed that the county would participate in a working group to discuss governance, accountability, and process concerns at the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency. The county has proceeded in the meantime to hire a Community Economic Development Officer to work on community projects. Annapolis County Spectator - October 28, 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