Catch Up over Coffee

Quick Economic Development news from the past week so you can feel up-to-date before finishing that Monday Morning cup.

Been avoiding the news lately ? Between the changes with COVID-19 restrictions and the Ukrainian Invasion, it’s understandable that you may be looking to avoid news sources. Let’s talk a few recent changes and what that means for you.

Big Builds

Nova Scotia’s construction market is now in a period of sustained growth, particularly propelled by public-sector investments and increasing demands for new residential construction. This means we’ll see an employment increase in this sector — to a peak in 2023.

BuildForce Canada published its 2022–2027 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward.

What does this mean for your business?

1. Potentially, an increase in customers, as construction companies look to bring in more employees from other provinces and countries to make up for demand.

2. More residential (read: employee) housing, allowing more individuals and families to call Nova Scotia home. This could mean a larger, more diverse pool from which to recruit new workers.

3. More disposable income in local areas, which results in increased spending to local businesses and services. It also results in increased tax collection by municipal governments, which created greater services for your community.

Indigenous Growth

The Indigenous population is the fastest growing in Canada, but we still see an inequity in recruitment from communities into multiple labor sectors.

What does this mean for your business?

If you have not been recruiting your workforce from your local First Nations community, it’s time to connect. With all ages, experiences, and skills; Cape Breton Island will only benefit from a more inclusive work force.

Prep For Refugees

The Canadian government has launched two programs to assist Ukrainian nationals to come to Canada on a temporary or permanent basis. Under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program announced by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Ukrainians can stay in the country for at least two years.

Canada is also implementing a special family reunification sponsorship program for permanent residency. The details have yet to be announced on this program just yet, and suggested the program won’t be up and fully working for another two weeks.

What does this means for your business?

1. An influx of refugees of all demographics brings a sporadic work force to Canada. We won’t know what this could mean and for which sectors; but many provinces welcome the increase in population.

2. Housing is still an issue for much of Nova Scotia, so an influx in refugees with the opportunity of a permanent status means the provincial and federal governments will be forced into making housing a priority across the country.

Business Spotlight

Located in the heart of Cape Breton, The Farmer’s Daughter Country Market was established in 1991 by dairy farmers Jim and Ferne Austin, now run by their daughter, Heather Austin. Heather has been in contact with potential employees from Ukraine through this refugee crisis.

She explains, “We had a gentleman who had initially applied for himself back in 2017, now reaching out for his wife and children. We’ve connected with the Cape Breton Partnership to help find a way to get them here safely and swiftly, but there are still hoops to jump through.” Heather brings up that, “Canada isn’t quite set up for it just yet, and is still requiring visa applications. The children don’t have passports, so we are working around that to figure out if there is still a possibility to get them over here and to safety.”

Unsettling, Heather has been in contact with a baker that is still in Ukraine, but hasn’t heard from her in a few days. “One woman is still in Ukraine and we’ve had trouble communicating because of the disruptions in internet and cell towers.” Heather explains. “We were suppose to hear from her on Friday. I’m reaching out to her today, but we just don’t know. For all we know, she could be in a bomb shelter and unable to get out of Ukraine right now.”

“For all we know, she could be in a bomb shelter and unable to get out of Ukraine right now.” – Heather Austin, March 14th, 2022.

Get in those last few sips of locally brewed coffee now that you’re all caught up.