More Local Labour Market Information
Labour Market Bulletin, First Quarter 2005
An Analysis of the Niagara Area Labour Market
Human Resource Centre of Canada
An overview of the Grimsby, West Lincoln, Lincoln, St. Catharines, Thorold, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Pelham, Welland, Port Colborne, Wainfleet, and Dunnville areas
The labour market declined this quarter compared to last quarter. This however, is not unusual during the winter months in the Niagara Area The job loss of nearly 5,000 was smaller than average and many of the jobs lost were full-time and seasonal. While some workers continued to seek work others dropped out of the labour force. Unemployment went up by 2,600 to 15,400 which moved the unemployment rate to 7.5% from 6.1% last quarter.
More importantly, year-over-year numbers are all significantly higher. With almost 9,000 more people in the labour force than last year, over 11,000 of them are employed. With a reduction of the number of unemployed the unemployment rate was able to drop to 7.5% from 9.1% the same time last year.
Employer Activity was fairly quiet this quarter. Several new businesses opened while only a few businesses closed. Many developments for the area continue to be approved and are awaiting construction.
Highlights:
- The Queenston-Lewiston International Bridge is getting a $36.3 million facelift.
- Construction projects for seniors and affordable housing continue.
- GM Canada has invested $23 million in its Glendale engine plant.
- $30 million golf course development, on the Niagara River Parkway has been approved.
- Construction lost over 4,000 jobs this quarter while manufacturing recovered nearly 6,000 workers.
- All areas in Niagara experienced a drop in the EI claim load with the exception of St. Catharines .
The complete Labour Market Bulletin, including these Highlights, is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, print version (size: 119 kb)
To obtain this Labour Market Bulletin in .html format, please use the Contact Us button at the top of this page. In your email subject line, please refer to the Labour Market Bulletin and the publication date: (e.g. Niagara - 1st Quarter 2005)
