Press Release
Halifax's Labour Force Participation
June 8, 2007 – Halifax, Nova Scotia- Halifax has gone from a ranking of 12th to a ranking of 7th among Census Metropolitan Areas when it comes to labour force participation. This brings us very close to our economic strategy target of a ranking of 5th in labour force participation. In Halifax the current labour force participation rate is at 69.8%, which is on par with targets set for 2007 in the Chamber’s economic strategy scorecard.
While this is great news from the perspective of our economic strategy target it is the result not of great increases in our participation rates but of decreases in those of other cities. “Our focus now must be on continuing the trend of increased participation in the labour force. We need more people to want to work in Halifax so that we can create a plentiful and diverse labour force,” Says Payn.
While unemployment rates are up in Halifax to 5.3%, an increase of .6% from April there are a variety of factors that may be contributing to this rise. However the Chamber is optimistic that this rise is for the better.
“These higher unemployment rates are partly a result of an increase in the labour force now actively seeking employment in Halifax,” says Payn, “more and more people in Halifax are responding to our healthy job market. This is sure to help take the edge of some employers who have been struggling with a labour shortage in the city.”
While the participation rate has increased both for Halifax and for the province as a whole, there continues to be a significant difference between Halifax and the province with Halifax having lower unemployment and much higher participation rates than the province as a whole. “This reflects a different economic make-up in different parts of the province and is consistent with trends towards greater urbanization we are seeing across the country.”
For more information please contact:
Janet Creamer
Communications Coordinator
Halifax Chamber of Commerce
(902) 481-1240
-30-


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