More Local Labour Market Information

Labour Market Bulletin, Third Quarter 2004
An Analysis of the Thunder Bay Area Labour Market
Human Resource Centre of Canada

Highlights:

Thunder Bay continues to establish itself as the region’s retail centre as more major stores and plazas are under construction or in the planning stages. In the public sector, the new hospital is also sparking interest in development in the lands around the hospital site. Thunder Bay residents are engaged in public debate regarding the public school board’s plans for major school closures as a result of the drop in enrolment. At the same time, some of Thunder Bay’s long-established employers are showing signs of distress as the third quarter of 2004 ends. Bowater is shutting down its groundwood mill indefinitely and Cascades Inc. is weighing its options with respect to its unprofitable Thunder Bay mill. Bombardier is unsure of how long it will be able to delay significant layoffs without new contracts. Communities along the north shore of Lake Superior are contending with the ongoing labour dispute involving social and mental health workers. Manitouwadge celebrated its 50th anniversary as local mines prepare to close in 2006.

In the Labour Force Survey:

Thunder Bay’s unemployment rate continues to climb
Third-quarter rate surpasses five-year high set in second quarter
Growth slows in Northwest
Unemployment down slightly as labour force contracts

Employment by Industry:

Services sector falls 5% year over year in Thunder Bay
Sector accounts for 60% of year-over-year losses
Goods-producing sector continues to grow in Northwest
Strong gains in Manufacturing

Decline in claimload continues in third quarter of 2004
Still higher year-over-year.

Third quarter sees small drop in newspaper vacancies for Thunder Bay HRCC
Drives region’s overall loss.

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