Labour Market Update - Annapolis Valley
December 2009*
Overview
Employment is higher than December 2008 but unemployment is also higher
A decrease in full-time jobs larger than an increase in part-time jobs during December resulted in an employment level marginally below that of November. This month’s employment however, is greater than it was in December 2008. There were more people employed in full-time jobs this December than a year ago and fewer employed in part-time positions.
A contraction of the labour force larger than the employment decrease meant fewer unemployed in December which brought about a drop in the unemployment rate from November. The labour force was much larger this December than it was last year, even though it was down from November, and so was the number of unemployed. These factors produced an unemployment rate higher than that of December, a year ago, despite greater employment in December 2009.
Employment in the Goods Sector was down from November because of declines in the seasonal Agriculture and Construction industries but up from December 2008’s level due primarily to greater activity in those two industry groups this year.
The Service Sector employed more than in November. Modest employment increases were realized by a number of industries. The sector employed fewer workers this December than it did in December 2008, however. In particular, employment in the Trade industry group is down substantially from last year.
*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
Ninety-six union employees and 14 non-union employees at the New Minas ACA poultry processing plant were told they will be let go mid-December. The co-op lost $6 million in 2008. Despite laying off more than 300 people at the New Minas plant and the now defunct Eastern Protein early in 2009, ACA still needed to make changes to be at the profit level they need. Approximately 200 people remain with the company at the processing plant, head office, hatchery and egg grading facilities. Kentville Advertiser – December 4, 2009
Best Friends Fashion Bins now has stores in two counties. Sherrie MacKay and Theresa Cranton opened their first used clothing store earlier this year in Granville Ferry. On Nov.16, they opened a second outlet in Kingston with Sherrie acting as manager. They hope to open their third store and become an official franchise next spring.
Annapolis County Spectator – December 3, 2009
Windsor retail outlet and café Amigos Home Emporium, operated by New Boundaries, will close December 18th putting one full-time store clerk and six part-time adult employees with intellectual challenges out of work. New Boundaries is a non-profit organization offering occupational opportunities for adults with challenges in West Hants.
Hants Journal – December 17, 2009
The Brooklyn Fire Department has a new $3.5 million, 23,000 square foot station and civic centre. Hants Journal – December 10, 2009
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal announced that the $2.1 million Wentworth Road roundabout project is now completed.
Hants Journal – December 3, 2009
Annapolis Royal could become a hub for leisure boaters and a busier tourist town if wharf and harbour front improvements go ahead, say municipal officials and residents. A planned project that would see a major wharf extension, new marina and harbour front improvements received a boost as the province promised $124,000 over two years to kick-start the project, which could inject about $2.5 million into the economy in Annapolis and Digby counties annually in addition to 12 full time jobs. Chronicle Herald – December 8, 2009
Several major projects are underway or planned for Middleton including a $4-million sewage treatment plant, and a $12-million Gem Health Care nursing home project on North Street which will provide more than 100 jobs. The town is experiencing steady growth in its industrial park, with the addition of Savage Oil Sales, the expansion of Kings Processing Ltd. and a new building for a truck business. New development is also planned for a site close to Exit 18 that will feature a Petro-Canada service station, convenience store and fast-food restaurant (work to begin in March 2010). Chronicle Herald – December 7, 2009
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