LMI Report May 29 – June 2, 2017
Labour Market Information encompasses material about occupations, wage rates, unemployment rates, employment outlooks and trends, education and training, and economic trends and conditions, as well as developments impacting these elements. For this compilation, articles are sourced from a wide variety of online publications. To capture the essence of the articles, edited excerpts are provided below (along with web links to the full articles – to be accessed at the option of the reader). A selection of specific reference links is included in the last section. Regular perusal of this report is likely to foster a good sense of local and broader labour market conditions and, also, any one article may at times prove to be a ‘gem’, something of particular relevance or value to a given reader. Find this report and past issues online at: http://kcds.ca/employer
LOCAL
$23 million FortisBC Kootenay Operations Centre at Castlegar is nearing completion
In the summer of 2016, FortisBC awarded a 16-month, $12 million construction contract for their new Kootenay Operations Centre to Vic Van Isle Construction, a Revelstoke-based general contractor, following a competitive tendering process that considered 15 respondents
Trail Regional Airport Receives $4.6 million in Grant Funding for Runway Rehabilitation Project
The Trail Regional Airport (YZZ), owned and operated by the City of Trail, is pleased to announce it has received a $4.6 million grant from the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Vancouver’s Tantalus gets Health Canada medical marijuana license
Vancouver-headquartered Tantalus Labs has become B.C.’s 10th Health Canada-licensed medical marijuana producer, aiming to start sales sometime in the summer of 2018 under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes regulations.
B.C. invests $7.7 million to advance wood use and grow global markets
The Government of British Columbia is investing $7.7 million to promote the use of B.C. wood, advance wood building systems and products, and expand global markets, Premier Christy Clark announced at the Council of Forest Industries annual convention today.
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017PREM0044-001144
Cross-border NDP cold war kills hope of pipeline peace
If there was any hope for pipeline peace in our time, it’s gone now, deflated by B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver’s attack on Premier Rachel Notley…
The document vows to “immediately employ every tool available to the new government to stop the expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline, the seven-fold increase in tanker traffic on our coast and the transportation of raw bitumen through our province.”
http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/braid-cross-border-ndp-cold-war-kills-hope-of-pipeline-peace
In Pipeline Dispute: Alberta has ways to get tough with BC.
“Ok, let’s do it! The first step would be to stop shipments through the existing Kinder Morgan Pipeline to the BcC. Interior and lower mainland. Almost 90% of the fuel forVancouver and southern coast comes out of that pipeline, either as gasoline or crude to be refined. Kinder Morgan is also a major supplier of gasoline to Kamloops and the wider interior. In a separate opertation the company pipes jet fuel to Vancouver Airport. Imagine the progress if all that was cut off……
ALBERTA
Alberta’s Notley warns B.C. NDP, Greens not to ‘stand in the way’ of Trans Mountain expansion
Not every one in the NDP camp is excited about British Columbia’s proposed new government.
On Monday, the B.C. NDP and the B.C. Greens announced a historic deal in which the two parties would join together to share power, paving the way to oust Christy Clark and the Liberals, and for B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan to become premier.
Construction on all 13 kilometres of Valley Line track hits Edmonton this summer
“It is probably the largest urban consruction project in Edmonton’s history when you consider how much construction is going on simultaneiously across the city….”
Alberta’s country-leading growth will be stronger than expected, Conference Board predicts
The province’s 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) is now set to increase by 3.3 per cent, up from the 2.8 per cent rise the conference board expected last winter, according to a report released Monday.
Global water bomber manufacturing program and ‘900 new jobs’ could be headed for Calgary
Viking Air Ltd. — which is headquartered in Victoria, B.C., but employs about 100 people in Calgary at its aircraft assembly and product support facilities — is the manufacturer of the well-known Twin Otter utility aircraft. Last June, Viking announced it had struck a deal with Bombardier to buy its water bomber program, acquiring the manufacturing rights as well as responsibility for support, parts and service of the planes
CANADA
NDP/Green partnership puts Trans Mountain pipeline, Site C dam projects in question
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau re-confirmed his support for Kinder Morgan Canada’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project from a stage in Rome, before British Columbia political leaders had spelled out how they might oppose the project.
Ontario to increase minimum wage to $15 an hour in 2019
Ontario is raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019, ensuring equal pay for part-time workers and increasing the minimum vacation entitlement as part of a major labour overhaul.
Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement Tuesday in response to a government-commissioned report released last week that included 173 recommendations addressing precarious work.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/ontario+increase+minimum+wage+2415+hour+2019/13410970/story.html
CSIS report on Trans Mountain describes ‘violent confrontations’ over resource development
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service produced the “secret” report 10 days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau approved the twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline between Alberta and B.C. The report chronicles allegations of sabotage, burglary, trespassing, mischief and the torching of vehicles at protests against resource projects in New Brunswick and North Dakota.
Canadian economy shows promising growth in Q1 2017, say economists
Canada’s GDP increased 3.7% on an annualized basis in 2017’s first quarter, according to Statistics Canada data released May 31.
This increase was below the consensus call of 4.2%, but economists are still saying the latest data is cause for optimism in Q2. It could also bee seen as a step in the direction toward a Bank of Canada rate hike.
https://www.biv.com/article/2017/5/canadian-economy-shows-solid-growth-q1-2017-econom/
Canada will be opening its first new refinery since 1984 in the middle of a glutted fuel market
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
When Canada’s government decided to fund the nation’s first new refinery in three decades in 2012, a diesel shortage had just caused some truckers to be turned away from filling stations, and demand was climbing. Oil-sands producers were ramping up output and crude prices topped US$100 a barrel
Federal government set to support softwood industry with $1-billion aid package
OTTAWA — Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr is set to unveil about $1 billion in financial supports for softwood lumber producers and their employees….It will include employment insurance enhancements for laid-off workers, loan guarantees in some form and funds to assist companies with exploring new markets and innovations
Trans Mountain pipeline to begin construction in September
Kinder Morgan said in a statement it is starting to award significant contracts now that financing and a final investment decision are in place, with plans for construction to start in September 2017
Procter & Gamble closing Brockville, Ont. plant, will lay off 480 workers
The company will shift production to a new site in the U.S. starting in 2020; Brockville mayor says the city has lived through similar closures and will “survive this one as well”
UNITED STATES
Big month ahead for Canada-U.S. trade as multiple irritants come to a head
WASHINGTON—The multiple ways in which Donald Trump could threaten Canada-U.S. trade will be on full display this month, with a series of looming decisions and public events that hold the potential to escalate disputes.
One expert counts three pathways to pain: NAFTA negotiations, punitive actions, and pressure on CEOs to shift operations to the U.S.
Businesses Balk as Trump Pulls Plug on Paris Climate Pact
The president on Thursday announced the U.S. would not adhere to the standards laid out in the Paris Agreement
Job Market Roars in May With 253K Additions
U.S. employers continued an impressive run of job creation in May, tacking on 253,000 new positions as the labor market shows few signs of slowing down.
Thursday’s ADP National Employment Report showed American companies have now created more than 200,000 jobs during four of 2017’s first five months and in nine of the past 12 months going back to mid-2016.
GLOBAL
Stop watching OPEC, start watching oil demand: Why an oil deficit is on its way
Curiously, the price of oil took a beating following last Thursday’s announcement that OPEC and Russia would extend their production cuts for another nine months. For what was a seemingly positive declaration, the oil markets were looking for more conviction
Oil, loonie and NAFTA: Investors may have good reasons to run away from the fastest-growing G-7 economy
Canada’s economy is flexing its muscles. Investors are not impressed.
The country’s economy expanded at an annualized 3.7 per cent pace in the first quarter, Statistics Canada reported Wednesday, easily tops in the Group of Seven.
Meanwhile, in a year when stocks are rising everywhere, Canada’s benchmark index is the second-worst-performer in the developed world after Israel, according to Bloomberg data. It’s a similar story in currency and bond markets.
Canadian Solar wins contract to supply sprawling Dubai solar park
GUELPH, Ont.—Panel maker Canadian Solar Inc. has won a contract to become the sole supplier of solar modules for the first phase of Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
The ultra-rich are hiding way more money overseas than anyone realized
Zucman has previously estimated that the equivalent of about 10 percent of global gross domestic product is hidden in tax havens. These countries, which often have laws that ensure the secrecy of offshore accounts, include Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, and, of course, Switzerland — which alone manages an estimated 40 percent of the world’s offshore wealth.
ARTICLES
Buy out the farmers: Montreal think tank proposes end to supply management
MONTREAL—The Montreal Economic Institute wants to buy Canadian farmers off the quota system.
The Quebec think tank, a perennial critic of supply management, has tabled its latest proposal to do away with the dairy, poultry and egg management systems it says hurt both businesses and consumers
The 10 Most Peaceful Countries in the World
This study ranks Canada as the 8th most peaceful and 2nd best country over all. The article identifies the economic impact of violence in our world.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2017-06-01/the-10-most-peaceful-countries
RESOURCE INFORMATION LINKS
Labour and Employment Data
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/2828/
Find statistics and analysis on the labour force, employment issues (such as hours worked, number of employees and payrolls) and income. Learn more about the various surveys conducted by Statistics Canada and access the data …
B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook
https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx
Labour market information can help job seekers make comparisons when looking for a job or moving to a new place. It can also help business owners identify new markets for their service or product, or to decide where to expand if theirs is a business that requires a high number of workers or workers with a particular skill set. [Replaces 2022 Outlook.]
B.C.’S Top Health Careers
https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/Jobs-in-Demand/Top-Health-Careers.aspx
B.C.’s health sector employed 227,000 workers in 2015, one of the largest sectors in terms of the number of workers. The sector is also one of the fastest-growing industries, with employment growing at an average rate of 3.2% each year in the past decade …
Explore Careers
https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers.aspx
Discover the career of your dreams. Explore 500 career profiles and get all the details you need, from job duties and wages to projected demand in your region.
Industry Profiles
https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/Industry-Profiles.aspx
Learn everything you need to know about B.C. Industries, including employment, wages, outlook and more. Access profiles and see employment gains and losses by industry for 2013 at a glance.
Regional Profiles
https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/Regional-Profiles.aspx
B.C.’s development regions are diverse and have unique labour market conditions. Here you’ll find labour market details on each of the seven regions, as well as employment outlooks over the next 10 years.
Blueprint Builder
https://www.workbc.ca/blueprintbuilder
Blueprint Builder is your online career planning tool that contains essential career, education and job search resources to help you plan your career path. Discover career options, find the right education and funding, and target jobs in your selected field.
Career Compass
https://www.workbc.ca/careercompass
Try a selection of Career Quizzes (Abilities, Work Preferences, Subjects) to help you gain insight into an appropriate career direction
95 video based career profiles, averaging five minutes in duration, to provide insights into choices you make.
Cost of Living Calculator
http://www.costofliving.welcomebc.ca
Are you new to B.C. or thinking of moving here? Need help deciding where to live and work? The Cost of Living Calculator can help you make the right move!
Job Vacancy and Wage Survey (JVWS)
http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=5217
The purpose of this survey is to collect detailed information about unmet labour demand. The survey collects information from Canadian employers about the number of job vacancies and wage estimates by occupation, for all economic regions and industries. Information is compiled quarterly. The link above is for the most recent quarterly data release.
Nelson, BC – Community Profile Fall 2015
http://www.cbrdi.ca/wp-content/uploads/Nelson_2015_Profile.pdf
Contains a host of area related data including information on Labour Force Activity 2014, Labour Force by Occupation 2011, Labour Force by Industry 2014, Employment by Industry 2014, Median Hourly Wage by Industry 2014, Median Commute Duration 2011, Place of Work Status 2011.
Castlegar, BC – Community Profile Fall 2015
http://www.cbrdi.ca/wp-content/uploads/Castlegar_2015_Profile.pdf
Contains a host of area related data including information on Labour Force Activity 2014, Labour Force by Occupation 2011, Labour Force by Industry 2014, Employment by Industry 2014, Median Hourly Wage by Industry 2014, Median Commute Duration 2011, Place of Work Status 2011.
Trail, BC – Community Profile Fall 2015
http://www.cbrdi.ca/wp-content/uploads/Trail_2015_Profile.pdf
Contains a host of area related data including information on Labour Force Activity 2014, Labour Force by Occupation 2011, Labour Force by Industry 2014, Employment by Industry 2014, Median Hourly Wage by Industry 2014, Median Commute Duration 2011, Place of Work Status 2011.
2016 Best Workplaces in Canada
While there is no single right way to create a great workplace, the very best companies have managed to create a culture where employees TRUST the people they work for, have PRIDE in what they do, and ENJOY the people they work with. And the winners are:
Best Workplaces in Canada – Large and Multinational / Best Workplaces in Canada – Medium / Best Workplaces in Canada – Small
Best Workplaces in Canada for Women & Download our The Globe & Mail report
BC’s Top Occupations
Our top occupations are largely based on the projected job openings to 2024. These openings include new jobs created through economic growth as well as replacement jobs due to retired workers.
https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/Jobs-in-Demand/Top-Occupations.aspx
Labour Organizations and Unions – contact info and websites
Our alphabetical listings of unions comprise their name and a link to the contact section of their website. This way you are assured that our listings are as up-to-date as the unions themselves keep them. If there is no website, their telephone number is shown.
http://www.shopunion.ca/unions
FACTSHEET: LNG project proposals in British Columbia
These are the export projects in various stages of development as of February 20, 2017
https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-lng-project-proposals-in-british-columbia
Engineering Labour Market in Canada: Projections to 2025
https://www.engineerscanada.ca/labour-market-report
Companies in British Columbia & Alberta
Need to research specific companies? Manta has 206,218 companies under Companies in British Columbia and 160,819 companies under Companies in Alberta – see the links below for listings by category: basic company profiles are provided
http://www.manta.com/world/North+America/Canada/British+Columbia/ & http://www.manta.com/world/North+America/Canada/Alberta/
BC Jobs Plan
http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/
BC Major Projects Inventory
The BC Major Projects Inventory (MPI) contains summary information on major projects in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, that are over $15 million (Cdn) capital cost, or $20 million in the Lower Mainland–Vancouver area.
Major Projects Inventories Across Canada
Community Futures Central Kootenay Workshop Schedule
http://futures.bc.ca/workshop-schedule/
Top 100 Projects for 2016 – Canada’s Biggest Infrastructure Projects
http://top100projects.ca/2016filters/
Top Kootenay Employers – by Kootenay Business
http://kootenaybiz.com/top-employers
Alberta Labour Market Information
http://work.alberta.ca/labour/labour-market-information.html
Fort McMurray Labour Market Information
Job Market Trends and News, for Canada and Individual Provinces
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/LMI_bulletin.do?cid=3373&AREA=0011&INDUSTRYCD=&EVENTCD
LMI – Publications, for Canada and Provinces
http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/lmi/publications/index.shtml
PayScale – Salary Data & Career Research Center (Canada)
http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Country=Canada/Salary
Wage Search Tool – Job Bank
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/wage-outlook_search-eng.do?reportOption=wage
Wages and Benefits Information – BC Fact Sheets
Average Salary in Canada – Average Canadian Salary
http://www.livingin-canada.com/work-salaries-wages-canada.html
WorkBC Labour Market Information