Labour Market News

Want to find out more about local or provincial labour market history? The labour market news archive may be a good place to start.

In this section, you can browse archived news titles, whose links are no longer functional, for up to one year from the current date. The archived news can help you understand the labour market trends in geographic areas and industries that are of interest to you.

• Week of 2024-08-30 to 2024-09-05

  • Wild blueberry growers on P.E.I. are faced with a second year of low prices, which could cause some growers to leave the industry, already faced with higher costs. Growers are being offered 42 cents per pound this year, compared to 70 cents in 2022.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottetown council has given approval for a 147-unit affordable housing project to proceed on Malpeque Road. The P.E.I. Housing Corporation will own and operate the two buildings, which will be used for social housing.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is undergoing contract talks with Canada Post, but will meet with union members next week and discuss a strike vote. CUPW’s key contract issues are job security, wages and improved working conditions.

    thewave.ca

  • The federal government will provide $6.9M to P.E.I.-based Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation to do four years of research into sustainable agriculture. A large portion of the funds will go toward researchers, including recruiting students.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-08-23 to 2024-08-29

  • The federal labour board has ordered more than 9,000 railway workers to return to work, shortly after CN Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City halted shipments. Both sides will begin binding arbitration to settle the contract on August 29.

    thewave.ca

  • A new report from Statistics Canada shows that 18.7% of Canadians worked mostly from home in May 2024, compared to the high of 24.3% in May 2021. Average commute times are becoming longer, with May 2024 being 26.4 minutes, while the previous high was 26.3.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Since mid-August, about 30 lobster boats from Area 25 in the Northumberland Strait have been able to use striped bass as bait. It is a pilot project that was launched by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which aims to collect data to better control this species. The use of striped bass may be more cost-effective.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)

  • A P.E.I. hatchery plans to triple its production of oyster seed in the next year to meet the demand from oyster farmers who are dealing with the MSX disease. The Bideford Shellfish Hatchery, which is owned and operated by the Lennox Island Development Corporation, could produce 30 to 45 million seed annually compared to the typical 10 million.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)

  • The P.E.I. government is hiring 120 additional staff for the 2024-25 school year, including 66 teachers, 51 educational assistant positions and three bus drivers. The school system has had a growing enrolment and more diverse needs.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released its latest study and says that the living wage in P.E.I. is $22.76 per hour, well more than P.E.I.’s minimum wage of $15.40. Part of the calculation is based on expenses such as food, shelter, and childcare.

    cbc.ca

  • A new store called Soika, featuring Ukranian food and beverages, has opened in the Kirkwood Mews in Charlottetown. This is the second Soika store to open in the Maritimes, after another store opened this summer in Dartmouth.

    cbc.ca

  • The Charlottetown Airport is looking at another record year for passenger travel, but officials are hoping to see the return of direct flights to Halifax and southern destinations. The airport set a passenger record in 2023 and is up 6% so far in 2024.

    cbc.ca

  • A P.E.I. horse owner estimates that there are about 800 horses on the Island that do not have access to a veterinarian, due to a shortage of vets. The Atlantic Veterinary College has 71 students, but grads can get higher pay in the U.S., Ontario, and elsewhere.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-08-16 to 2024-08-22

  • P.E.I.'s tourism strategy is focused on revenue and despite tourism growth, volunteer groups and cultural organizations are struggling. In 2024 around $11M was spent on tourism marketing, $17M on parks and golf courses, and only $2M on cultural funding.

    cbc.ca

  • Two facilities in N.S. and P.E.I. are turning previously wasted poor quality wool and converting it into wool pellets. The pellets produced by N.S.’s Taproot Fibre Lab and Knit Pickers PEI can be used as fertilizer and provides a new revenue stream for wool farmers.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. customers of Maritime Electric are expected to eventually see rate hikes down the road, as the re-opening of Point Lepreau faces further maintenance delays. The shutdown is expected to cost Maritime Electric an extra $12M plus 4.55% of repair costs.

    cbc.ca

  • Despite P.E.I. not having rail service since 1989, the Island is still concerned about the looming national train strike. The Island gets goods by rail through N.B. then transfer them to trucks. Farmers are concerned about propane supplies and getting product off-Island.

    cbc.ca

  • The Dental Association of P.E.I. says that more dentists are signing on to the federal senior’s dental program. Some clinics aren't signing on because they can’t take on new patients, citing a shortage of dentists, hygienists and dental assistants.

    cbc.ca

  • T3 Transit, the company responsible for public transit in PEI, is adding more buses to some of its routes in Charlottetown. There will now be 8 routes instead of 13. These changes will come into effect on August 27.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)
• Week of 2024-08-09 to 2024-08-15

  • The PEI Government announced a new five-year agreement with doctors, which represents a $188.3M investment in physician services. The funding will help to improve recruitment and retention in family medicine.

    La voix acadienne (available in French only)

  • The federal government will invest $2M over three years to establish a Net-Zero Communities Accelerator (NCA) program in Atlantic Canada. Charlottetown and the town of Three Rivers have signed up to develop local green energy projects.

    canada.ca

  • Postmedia has been given court approval to buy SaltWire, Atlantic Canada's largest newspaper chain, for $1M. The company has said that there will be job cuts among SaltWire’s 363 employees and 800 contractors, but no specific details have been provided.

    globalnews.ca

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has found a presumptive positive test result for MSX on P.E.I.'s North Shore. This is the fifth P.E.I. waterway to test positive for the oyster parasite. Ottawa is spending up to $1M over to years to do MSX research.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government is in the process of making regulatory changes to allow registered nurses (RNs) with advanced certification to prescribe, dispense and administer certain drugs. The move is being made to help provide better access to health care.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian airline industry has been reducing flights particularly to small and medium-sized areas. While average passenger capacity at Canada’s 30 biggest airports is 98% of 2019 levels, COVID saw a drop in flight school enrolment and a shortage of pilots.

    globalnews.ca

  • PEI has become the first province in Canada to recognize family medicine as a standalone specialty after the provincial government signed a new five-year agreement. Under the agreement, PEI family physicians will now rank among the top three highest-paid across Canadian provinces.

    La voix acadienne (available in French only)
• Week of 2024-08-02 to 2024-08-08

  • The P.E.I. government announced a scholarship program to facilitate the recruitment of internationally educated nurses. The program provides a reimbursement of up to $10,000.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)

  • The P.E.I. government has a new five-year agreement that covers how doctors are treated and compensated. The province will invest $188.3M in physician services, which includes increased compensation, reduced admin duties, and an incentive program.

    cbc.ca

  • Maritime farmers now have a beef cattle market insurance program, which will give cattle producers in the province more financial stability. The program will help manage the risk amid fluctuating market prices for beef.

    cbc.ca

  • The Port of Charlottetown had over 16,500 cruise visitors in July 2024, a 62% increase over the previous record set in 2019. Tourism P.E.I. states that cruise ship passengers spend an estimated $138 per day while in P.E.I. and 60% will return for a vacation.

    cbc.ca

  • Two levels of government will spend $1.3M over five years to fund the P.E.I. Agriculture Resiliency Program, which will fund research on climate change, infrastructure resiliency, and farmer’s health. Farming is P.E.I.’s biggest industry and key to the economy.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government will spend $1.5M to install generators at 45 gas stations across the province, to ensure that fuel is available during power outages, with first responders getting first priority. The generators are expected to be installed and running by the fall.

    cbc.ca

  • Island Structural Systems Inc. (ISSI) will receive a $2M repayable contribution from ACOA, to support the company to expand and establish an automated truss manufacturing facility. ISSI’s new 25,000 square foot facility will help to increase productivity.

    canada.ca

  • The lobster fishing season began in Area 25, which corresponds to the western part of the Northumberland Strait. A total of 722 fishermen from three provinces (N.B., P.E.I. and N.S.) took to the seas on Wednesday morning.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)

  • P.E.I. announced that its Steps to Success training program will be extended to attract workers to its daycare centres. The initiative offers training to its candidates and an allowance for travel and related expenses.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)
• Week of 2024-07-26 to 2024-08-01

  • Five Star Shellfish, a major oyster processing plant in Western P.E.I., says that the MSX parasite has already cost the company around $100K. The company has lost sales as a result and has caused uncertainty for growers, harvesters and processors

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I. has opened one-third of the 54 new long-term care beds as part of its $25M deal and is proposing an additional 175 beds in privately run homes over the next two years. The province is also trying to raise the wages of private-facility workers.

    cbc.ca

  • Postmedia has agreed to purchase SaltWire, Atlantic Canada's largest newspaper chain, and hopes to close the deal by August 26. Saltwire has over 20 papers including Halifax’s Chronicle Herald, The Guardian in Charlottetown, and The Telegram in St. John's.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s Tourism Industry Association says despite good traffic to the Island, spending appears to be down. The P.E.I. government reports that air, bridge and ferry traffic have all increased from last year, but spending appears to be a bit softer.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. has hired 32 new physicians in the first six months of 2024, compared to 24 physicians hired in all of 2023. Of the 32 new hires, 11 are family physicians, and most are specialists. In 2024 there have also been 12 doctors who've stopped practising.

    cbc.ca

  • Nova Scotia has more spots for students at the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island. There are now 24 spots compared to 16 before. The province is investing $50.8M over five years.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)

  • A new private ophthalmology clinic opened in Charlottetown. In September, an orthoptists practice will open within the clinic. In a few months, a surgical division will open there as well. The physicians hope to perform between 2,500 and 3,000 operations there in the first year.

    La voix acadienne (available in French only)

  • P.E.I. signed contracts with 32 new physicians between January 1 and June 30, 2024. Of these physicians, 15 have already begun to practise, 13 will begin in the second half of 2024, 3 will begin in 2025, and 1 in 2026.

    La voix acadienne (available in French only)

  • The MSX disease in oysters from P.E.I. was discovered in Bedeque Bay in mid-July. Since then, the CFIA has confirmed that the disease is present in three other areas: Boughton, New London, and Lennox Island to the Black Banks. Test results are pending.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)
• Week of 2024-07-19 to 2024-07-25

  • A developer wants to add additional cottages, as well as build a 14-room hotel, restaurant, and Nordic spa to the property it bought in Chelton in 2023. Cottage Dream Vacations fixed up the five cottages last winter and would like to operate year-round.

    cbc.ca

  • Amar Seafood in Victoria has been given approval to expand by the local council. The company wants to triple its workforce to 32 staff and expand its wolffish and halibut farm. An environmental assessment is required before a development permit is issued.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottetown-based pharmaceutical developer and manufacturer BioVectra Inc. is being sold to Agilent Technologies of California for $1.25B. The sale is not expected to impact local staff. BioVectra employs 450 people in P.E.I. and 200 in N.S.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has placed more P.E.I. oyster licences under quarantine, as more sites are presumed to be positive for the parasite – MSX. There are concerns about the future impact on the industry and financial help could be provided.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s solar energy production has more than doubled since two large-scale solar farms became fully online in 2024. With Summerside’s SunBank and Slemon Park, solar energy has jumped from about 1,475 MWh a month in 2023 to more than 6,000 in April.

    cbc.ca

  • A tentative agreement has been reached between the P.E.I Government and its physicians. The five-year Physician Services Agreement aims to support physician recruitment and retention efforts. Members will vote later this month to ratify the deal.

    princeedwardisland.ca
• Week of 2024-07-12 to 2024-07-18

  • Funding has been secured to build a new landing pad and wharf in Keir Shore, so that Malpeque Bay mussel boats can have a safer option. Various fishing boats have run aground in Malpeque Harbour over the past 19 years, despite regular dredging.

    cbc.ca

  • Future Seafoods in Fernwood is concerned that it may have to shut down its plant or lay-off employees, as a result of Bedeque Bay being closed to shellfish harvesting. Staff have been preparing oysters from other areas, which are being tested for a parasite.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s oyster industry are hoping that a parasite found in the oysters in Bedeque Bay hasn’t spread. The parasite is not harmful to humans, but can hinder growth and increase oyster mortality. P.E.I. is the largest oyster producer in Atlantic Canada.

    cbc.ca

  • After a year of suspending the training program for bilingual care attendants, Collège de l’Île announced that the program will be back in September. The school has received 10 to 15 registrations. As a result, the president at the Collège wants to encourage students from the Island or other parts of Canada and let them know that they can obtain $5,000 bursaries to pay for half of the course.

    La voix acadienne (available in French only)
• Week of 2024-07-05 to 2024-07-11

  • The second edition of the "Opportunités ÎPÉ” forum took place on June 26 in Charlottetown to support Bachelor of Education students from the University of Prince Edward Island. There were 15 exhibitors at the event allowing Francophone students to network in hopes of retaining these future teachers in the province.

    La voix acadienne (available in French only)

  • PEI health care incentive will provide up to $10 000 for allied health professionals in return of a service commitment of 1,950 working hours or a one full-time year equivalent.

    ctvnews.ca

  • PEI Public Library Service is extending operating hours at French service libraries located in Abram-Village, Charlottetown and Summerside by adding more hours to the staff and additional days. The goal is to allow the growing Acadian and Francophone community to have better access to the resources in French.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Mi’kmaq Nation Government of Prince Edward Island and the Government of Canada reached an agreement to create the 48th national park in Canada. The park, named Pituamkek, will be composed of a chain of barrier islands on the northwestern shore of P.E.I. This project is the first of ten new national park reserves that the Government of Canada has committed to creating by 2026.

    La voix acadienne (available in French only)

  • Summerside Shipyard property, located in Summerside’s waterfront, gets $700K makeover from a local developer. The investment aims to become a year-round restaurant and events space.

    cbc.ca

  • A new report released by the P.E.I. government shows that P.E.I. had the fastest growing economy among provinces in 2023 and also had a record-high employment average of 89,000. Farms cash receipts ($815M) and international exports ($2.3B) were also records.

    ctvnews.ca
• Week of 2024-06-28 to 2024-07-04

  • The Canadian military has new stricter rules on personal grooming, after relaxing the rules almost two years ago. The changes come after the military heard that many members disagreed with the relaxed rules. Hair and beards must be kept neat and tidy.

    cbc.ca

  • WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association union representing about 680 mechanics have reached a new tentative agreement, ending the recent strike. The 5-year agreement includes an immediate 15.5% wage increase, followed by a pay increase of 3.25% in year 2 and 2.5%/year in years 3-5.

    cbc.ca

  • ACOA will invest $1.5M in 5 Western P.E.I. based businesses to help them compete and reach new markets. Royal Star Foods will get $621K, Malpeque Bay Oyster Farm ($291K), Sweet Oyster Company ($97.5K), Livingston Steel ($351K) and $152K for R&M Welding.

    canada.ca
• Week of 2024-06-21 to 2024-06-27

  • Talks are still underway to keep Saltwire operating, after the company applied for bankruptcy protection in March. One unnamed buyer is being considered. Some of Saltwire’s affiliated companies will be shut down or sold, while Door Direct will continue.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Federation of Independent Business states that about 80% of Atlantic businesses are not expecting to see revenue growth during the summer tourism season. Issues include increased costs and weak demand in the hospitality and retail sector.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Canadian health-care sector is increasingly using the temporary foreign worker program to fill staffing shortages. The largest share of that growth was for nurses aides and orderlies, nurses, and family doctors. There were 2,514 approvals in 2023.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. has signed a $94.5M Canada Community Building Fund deal with Ottawa for housing infrastructure, such as street building, wastewater treatment, and transit lines. P.E.I. has been experiencing a housing crunch since 2019.

    cbc.ca

  • Summerside's Prince County Hospital has hired two internal medicine physicians, as well as additional respiratory therapists and nurses, to help stabilize care at the facility. More staff is still required to restore the hospital’s ICU.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-06-14 to 2024-06-20

  • Statistics Canada reports that prices for P.E.I. farmland increased by 83% from 2018 to 2023, the biggest increase in the country. P.E.I. farmers paid $6,432 per acre in 2023, which is 30% higher than the national average and makes it hard for farms to grow.

    cbc.ca

  • A new eight-storey, 85-unit apartment building is being proposed for Great George Street in downtown Charlottetown. The building if approved would be on the same block as the Holman Grand Hotel and would have commercial space on the ground floor.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. lobster fishermen just have a few weeks left in the spring lobster season, but are frustrated by low prices, which are the same as 18 years ago. Fishers are getting up to $7 a pound, while the cost of fuel and bait has increased substantially.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Summerside is in the early stages of a 10-year project to revitalize the city and make it more attractive. The first priority is the downtown waterfront, which has seen businesses move out or close or be replaced by short-term businesses.

    cbc.ca

  • Details have been released on the tentative deal for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers, which includes a 15.7% wage increase over four years, retroactive to June 2022. The agreement also has improved provisions for shift scheduling.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2024-06-07 to 2024-06-13

  • Phase two of repairs are underway at the Hermanville Wind Farm, which will see repairs and upgrades that are expected to be completed by the end of August 2024.The wind farm has generated $21.8M in electricity, despite damage from high winds in 2023.

    princeedwardisland.ca

  • After consulting with Victoria residents, Amar Seafood P.E.I. has reduced its proposed expansion of its fish farm operation for now. The company originally wanted to triple the operation to 40 acres but has since reduced the rezoning request to 15 acres.

    cbc.ca

  • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers have reached a tentative agreement with the federal government. The more than 9,000 workers will receive wage enhancements and other benefits. Further details will be released this week.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The P.E.I. Nurses' Union has struck a deal with Health P.E.I., which will see some health-care workers receiving time-and-a-half or double-pay for critical shifts. It is hoped it will be an incentive for workers to take shifts, so others can take vacation.

    cbc.ca

  • The Inn at Bay Fortune received $220K through the Tourism Growth Program (TGP), which will support modernizing its facilities as well the creation of a 3,300 ft2 Farmhouse Event Space. The Inn wants to market itself as a top culinary destination resort.

    canada.ca

  • After a 30-year ban in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, redfish fishing is permitted this season. The season begins on June 15 with a total allowable catch of 60,000 tonnes. Around 15% of the quota is reserved for ships under 20m long, and 60% has been allocated to ships over 30.5m long.

    L'Acadie Nouvelle (capacadie.com) (available in French only)
• Week of 2024-05-31 to 2024-06-06

  • P.E.I. oyster growers state that if their Fiona compensation claims aren’t processed soon, they may have to declare bankruptcy. KBM Oysters, off P.E.I.'s North Shore, had half of its operation wiped out and suffered damaged to its floating workstation.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. has a shortage of psychiatrists, with wait times as long as nine months for psychiatric care. Health P.E.I. currently has 16 full-time psychiatrists and 10 vacancies, but as P.E.I. grows it’s forecasted that 36 psychiatrists will be needed in 10 years.

    cbc.ca

  • Amar Seafood P.E.I. in Victoria states that its fish farm needs to expand to be financially successful. The company hatches and grows juvenile wolffish and halibut and is proposing to build a 70,000-square-foot grow-out centre and an interpretive centre.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking to hire 50 substitute bus drivers for this coming school year. The branch currently has 261 permanent bus drivers, with many of its permanent drivers in recent years being former substitute drivers.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-05-24 to 2024-05-30

  • P.E.I. dairy farmers are being advised to watch for any sick or dead birds in their area as a precaution for avian flu. The H5N1 virus has only been detected in U.S. dairy cattle, which can result in decreased milk production, loss of appetite and fever.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government has passed a bill that will ban federal companies from using replacement workers during a strike. There are over a million federally regulated workers employed with ports, airports, railways, telecoms, banks and Crown corporations.

    globalnews.ca

  • Island EMS has hired 17 new paramedics to staff P.E.I.’s ambulance service and are always looking for more staff, on top of the 160 paramedics it now employs. Most of the new staff are graduates from Holland College's primary care paramedicine program.

    cbc.ca

  • Dry weather this spring has been good for P.E.I. farmers planting potatoes, but rain will be needed soon for those that farm small grains like cereals, soybeans and corn. Nearly 80% of the Island's 2024 potato crop have already been planted.

    cbc.ca

  • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) workers have voted 96% in favour of strike action, as it prepares to secure a new contract. Issues include wages comparable to other Canadian law enforcement, flexible work options, retirement benefits and hours of work.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Despite some issues with its communication and recruitment process, Health P.E.I. has made nearly 50 job offers to new nursing graduates, with nearly half being for full-time positions. Full-time nursing offers include a $13-$16K recruitment bonus as well.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. and federal governments will provide $17M in funding to build a new Abegweit First Nation recreation centre in Scotchfort. The net-zero facility will create new jobs and 10% of the funding will support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis projects.

    canada.ca

  • Health P.E.I. has announced that a new outpatient cataract surgery clinic will open this fall. The clinic will be funded by the province and is expected to do 2,000 procedures in its first year and 4,000 in the following year, and reduce wait times.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-05-17 to 2024-05-23

  • Summerside’s mayor is concerned that reducing the number of immigrants working in food service and retail will hurt the city. The retail and wholesale and hospitality industries together account for 18% of P.E.I.’s workforce and employ about 17,000 workers.

    cbc.ca

  • A Charlottetown company, Locarius, is now providing a local ticketing platform to many clients across P.E.I. and Atlantic Canada. Locarius only charges about 2.79% fee on each ticket's cost, compared to about 30% for Ticketmaster.

    cbc.ca

  • A recent report by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada shows that Alberta produced 21.8% of Canadian potatoes in 2022, while P.E.I. produced 21.6%, and Manitoba was at 21.3%. The P.E.I. Potato Board says the Island’s potato production is near capacity.

    cbc.ca

  • Some P.E.I. snow crab harvesters are using a free ropeless gear lending program that will allow harvesters to continue fishing on the edge of a closed area due to a right whale sighting. The program is operated by the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

    cbc.ca

  • The Island’s aquaculture industry is facing hard times, as only 43 claims out of 116 financial relief claims have been approved, two years after suffering losses from Fiona. Some growers have had to pay out of pocket for replacement gear, while others have held off on hiring.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-05-10 to 2024-05-16

  • The Kings Playhouse in Georgetown will reduce its staff and hours to focus more on events. A full program of theatrical performances will continue, but only two Employment Development Agency employees will be hired instead of four.

    cbc.ca

  • A report released by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) states that Canada needs more and better training for truck drivers. Canada has Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT), but it isn’t implemented across all provinces and minimum training can vary.

    cbc.ca

  • Once P.E.I. creates its own medical school, which is expected to create 20 seats, the four seats at Memorial University and possibly the six seats at Dalhousie will no longer be available to Island medical students. The end result will be a gain of 10 seats.

    cbc.ca

  • Immigrants who have primarily worked in sales and service are being told by the province to seek training in high-demand sectors, to improve their chances for work permit extensions. Priority jobs include nurse aides, transport truck drivers, and cleaners.

    cbc.ca

  • Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation's definition of affordable housing is considered to be 30% of your gross monthly income or $1500 a month if your annual income is $60K. The 2021 census says that the average household income on P.E.I. is $60K.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. chapter of College of Family Physicians held a conference in Charlottetown to talk about research and ways to improve. Issues include a lack of resources, such as allied health professionals, but the use of medical homes has resulted in more collaboration.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-05-03 to 2024-05-09

  • East Coast artists say it’s a difficult time to make money in music. Artists are seeing rising expenses, while people have less disposable income to support developing artists. Some tour, sell CDs, or get their music in movies, TV and games to earn money.

    cbc.ca

  • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp (CMHC) reports that in the first three months of 2024, P.E.I. and N.S. had three times the number of apartment starts compared to N.B. Back in September, both P.E.I. and N.S. eliminated sales tax on new rental construction.

    cbc.ca

  • Midwives have joined the list of health-care providers that are in short supply on P.E.I., with 49 parents-to-be on the waitlist. It is estimated that there are 100 vacant midwifery positions in Canada and there are no Maritime schools that offer the program.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, P.E.I. shellfish aquaculture accounts for 60% of national production. In 2021, P.E.I. oyster farming was valued at $21.3M and mussels at $30M, compared to N.S. which were valued at $4.7M and $1.2M.

    cbc.ca

  • WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association have reached a tentative collective agreement. The union represents around 670 aircraft maintenance engineers and skilled trade groups, who will need to ratify the deal with the airline.

    citynews.ca

  • The P.E.I. government wants a company to set up a modular home fabrication plant on the Island to help address its housing crisis. The facility could qualify for incentives or be provided a site, but would have to mainly serve the P.E.I. market for 5 years.

    cbc.ca

  • Some P.E.I. foreign workers are concerned with changes to the province's immigration strategy that will reduce the number of permanent residency nominees by 25% in 2024. P.E.I. is also focused more on retaining health care, child care and construction workers.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada has announced over $9.8M in funding to Springboard Atlantic. Made up of 19 Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions, the group brings researchers and industry together to commercialize ideas in key sectors like advanced manufacturing, ocean sustainability and clean energy.

    canada.ca
• Week of 2024-04-26 to 2024-05-02

  • P.E.I. cattle farmers are showing interest in expanding their beef farms with the current high prices that are being offered, but face a number of barriers. The supply of calves is down in Canada, while calf prices are high and finding land to buy is hard.

    cbc.ca

  • Coverage began May 1 for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for seniors 70 years and older, which will eventually cover about 25% of Canadian residents without private dental plans. Until July, only dentists that have signed up can provide services.

    cbc.ca

  • Ottawa will cap work hours at 24 hours a week this September, for international students who work while studying. The prior 20-hour cap had been temporarily waived, but there were concerns that study permits could be used as unofficial work visas.

    cbc.ca

  • Canada's biofuel industry is welcoming $1.27B in proposed federal funding to help build new biofuel facilities, better compete with U.S. subsidies and reduce dependence on U.S. imports. There is currently $10B worth of operational or biofuel facilities being built in Canada.

    cbc.ca

  • Non-binding offers were made to buy all or part of SaltWire Network Inc., including some who want to keep the business running. The media companies employ about 800 independent contractors and 390 staff. Binding offers will be required by May 24.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-04-19 to 2024-04-25

  • The federal budget will provide $71.9M in funding to create Canada's 11th national park reserve at Pituamkek, a chain of islands in northwestern P.E.I. The Lennox Island chief says they will welcome visitors and create employment opportunities.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. had 394 housing starts in the first three months of 2024, the best first quarter since 1979. Winter months are typically a slow time for housing starts, but apartment starts also set a record with 287 units started.

    cbc.ca

  • Southeastern P.E.I. lobster fishermen are about to start their season earlier than usual to avoid catching lobsters in their reproductive stage. The lobster marketing board expects to see higher prices this year, as catches in Maine and N.S. are down.

    cbc.ca

  • A group of construction stakeholders will travel to England and Ireland in order to recruit skilled tradespeople. P.E.I.’s Construction Association says that the island has an immediate need for 1,000 workers in order to keep up with the housing demand.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s tourism industry has a new five-year strategy that involves stretching the season past the summer, more air access, addressing workforce challenges, and initiatives with sports and leisure, and culinary and wellness.

    cbc.ca

  • The Summerside and Charlottetown chambers of commerce say that the P.E.I. government’s plan to reduce its nominees for permanent residency by 25%, has already resulted in foreign workers leaving and will hurt the service and retail sectors.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s French language school board is faced with a shortage of substitute bus drivers. They currently have 34 full-time drivers and 12 to 15 substitutes, but were unable to get a substitute for one of the buses last week.

    Cape Breton Post

  • An arbitration decision has awarded unionized RCMP officers an 8% salary increase over two years. The increase will apply to 20,000 RCMP members ranging from constable to staff sergeant major. A constable could earn up to $106,576 as of April 2022.

    cbc.ca

  • The Dental Association of P.E.I. says recent changes to the federal government's dental program will make it more likely that P.E.I. dentists will use it. A big change is that dentists will not have to sign up and will be able to just submit for payments.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-04-12 to 2024-04-18

  • P.E.I.'s justice minister has cancelled the vendor licence for Maritime Home Services, disallowing the company from selling water treatment systems on P.E.I. Customers Residents complained of high-pressure tactics and misleading statements.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. farmers are unsure how the federal tax changes or the new carbon rebate for small businesses will affect them, but like that the size of interest-free government planting loans has more than doubled. These loans are paid off when the crops are sold.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Although the federal government announced that provinces will get more money for housing, the Construction Association of P.E.I. is concerned that the budget didn’t address the shortage of skilled trades or support for training.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s fisheries minister is exploring insurance options for the aquaculture industry, which sustained about $70M in damages after post-tropical storm Fiona in 2022. The hope is to get help from the federal government similar to the agriculture sector.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I. has recruited over 100 new nurses from overseas to work on the Island. Eleven are currently working, while 96 have signed conditional contracts. There is a need for about 200 nurses by mid-2025 to address retirements and turnover.

    cbc.ca

  • The CUPE union that represents 1,000 P.E.I. health-support workers has stopped bargaining with the P.E.I. government and wants to go to conciliation. The province had offered a wage increase of 10.5% over three years, which the union says is not enough.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-04-05 to 2024-04-11

  • Fishermen in Atlantic Canada will vote this spring on whether to match the U.S. in increasing the minimum size limit of lobster they catch. Maine will increase its size limit to 84mm in 2025, then 86mm in 2027. Lobsters below that limit cannot be sold in the U.S.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government has announced that it has signed 23 new doctors this year, compared to 24 that were hired in 2024 and will spend an additional $25M to open 54 new private long-term care beds. Critics argue that P.E.I.’s doctor waitlist keeps growing.

    ctvnews.ca

  • P.E.I.’s Tourism Industry Association is hoping for another strong tourism season with 96 cruise ships scheduled to arrive in Charlottetown this year. The Island will host four big fish conventions, as well as festivals and events from the summer into the fall.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reports that the average home price on P.E.I. has dropped by 8.8% over the past two years. The average residential home price as of last month was $376,429. New listings were also up almost 30% compared to last year.

    cbc.ca

  • Although 1.6 million seniors have signed up for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which is set to provide coverage next month, sign-up by dentists appears to be slow. Dentists state they are concerned with the paperwork required and lack of details.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s paramedics have a new regulatory body that oversees paramedics – the P.E.I. College of Paramedicine. The college will deal with public and internal complaints, and issue credentials to practice. Self-regulation will allow EMTs to expand their role.

    cbc.ca

  • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers will hold a strike vote next week after contract talks stalled last September. The 9,000 members have been without a contract for two years and issues include wages, job security, and access to telework.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2024-03-29 to 2024-04-04

  • APM group’s proposed Port House Development apartment building is nearing final approval after three years of delays. Construction of the 158-unit apartment building in downtown Charlottetown is hoped to begin in the fall at a estimated cost of $35M.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government will commit $6B in new funding for the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund. Provinces will be able to access the money if certain conditions are met such as expanding infrastructure and allowing more multi-unit buildings and homes.

    cbc.ca

  • All four Atlantic Canadian provinces increased their minimum wage hourly rate on April 1. Newfoundland and Labrador now has the highest minimum wage at $15.60, followed by P.E.I. at $15.40, N.B. at $15.30, and N.S. at $15.20.

    globalnews.ca

  • A biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the herring stock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is not improving due to warmer water temperatures. Herring is used as bait by lobster fisherman on P.E.I. and there has been a moratorium on herring since 2022.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottetown's city council approved about $168M in spending for its capital and operational budgets. The money will go toward various infrastructure and public works projects, as well as hiring five new police officers and two new fire department supervisors.

    cbc.ca

  • Ottawa announced over a $1B in early childhood education (ECE) initiatives as part of its 2024 budget. It will expand loans and grants for public and non-profit child-care providers to expand or renovate, train more ECEs, and increase student loan forgiveness.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2024-03-22 to 2024-03-28

  • Some P.E.I. employers are concerned about Ottawa’s plan to reduce the proportion of temporary residents down to 5% across Canada. Retail trade, restaurants, hotels, seafood processors and others depend on temporary foreign workers to fill openings.

    cbc.ca

  • The national minimum wage will increase from $16.65 up to $17.30 an hour on April 1, a 3.9% cost of living increase. This applies to all federally regulated businesses and will affect about 30,000 employees nationwide.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Nearly 90% of the dentists surveyed by the Dental Association of P.E.I. say that they won’t sign up for the Canadian Dental Care Program. Dentists are concerned that many people believe the dental services will be free, when that will not often be the case.

    cbc.ca

  • O'Leary and Wellington will receive $1M in funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund, which will help build 27 new housing units in the two communities over the next three years. Part of the goal of the fund is to speed up construction and reduce red tape.

    cbc.ca

  • Island workers will being entitled to up to 3 days of paid sick leave a year, when the P.E.I. sick-day legislation takes effect on Oct. 1. In order to get the three full paid days, a worker would have to be employed for 36 months with the same employer.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association wants to recruit and train more foreign-trained veterinarians, as well as establish a testing centre for internationally educated vets. The industry is struggling with labour shortages and mental health issues.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The federal government announced it will invest $4M in 13 different businesses around central P.E.I. in order to improve and grow their operations. Funds will be used to help explore new markets, for facility upgrades, automation, and acquire new equipment.

    canada.ca
• Week of 2024-03-15 to 2024-03-21

  • The RCMP's experienced officer program has opened on P.E.I. to help address the Island’s high vacancy rate of RCMP positions at 16%. The program allows police with a minimum of two years' experience in other forces to apply to the RCMP.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s lobster exports in 2023 was $265M, which is down from 2022 levels ($310M) and 2021 when exports values for lobsters exceeded $400M. According to Industry Canada, frozen lobster accounts for the largest portion of products exported by P.E.I.

    cbc.ca

  • The Rodd Charlottetown on Kent Street in Charlottetown is undergoing more than $10M in renovations. The nearly 100-year-old property will update all of the hotel's 115 rooms, as well as fix structural issues and replace the outside bricks.

    cbc.ca

  • The Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. job fair was held at the Delta Hotel in Charlottetown, which saw more than 1,500 job seekers looking for work. Forty-six tourism businesses were on hand looking for servers, tour guides, hotel clerks and more.

    cbc.ca

  • Three Rivers is getting $3.4M through the Housing Accelerator Fund to help fast-track the building of 116 housing units over the next three years. The money will allow the town to expand its water and sewer system to accommodate new housing.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s Health Minister is considering approving a proposal from a group of ophthalmologists and optometrists who want to open a private eye clinic in Charlottetown. P.E.I. has about 2,500 people on a waitlist for cataract surgery.

    cbc.ca

  • A new report by the recruitment firm Hays says 71% of Canadian workers want to leave their job and find a better opportunity this year. The Hays report states that nearly half are unmotivated to work, and are dissatisfied in their role, pay and benefits.

    ctvnews.ca
• Week of 2024-03-08 to 2024-03-14

  • The trucking industry in Atlantic Canada wants the government to do more about companies that employ drivers as independent contractors. This practice allows companies to make more money because the drivers don’t get benefits like sick days or overtime.

    cbc.ca

  • SaltWire Network Inc., the owner of 23 Atlantic Canada newspapers, has filed for creditor protection with $94M in debt. The company has 14 weekly papers, as well as the Chronicle Herald and Cape Breton Post in N.S., the Telegram in N.L., and the Guardian in P.E.I.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government is offering low-interest loans to private long-term care providers to add hundreds of additional beds, in a bid to address the immediate needs for long-term care. About one in seven hospital beds has a long-term care patient in it.

    cbc.ca

  • The use of travel nurses on P.E.I. has been growing in recent years, with $1.34M spent last year and another $8.77M forecasted for 2023-24. The cost of a travel nurse is about $120 per hour and can create issues with regular staff, who are paid less.

    cbc.ca

  • The Confederation Centre in Charlottetown will gets $47M in funding to create the National Cultural Leadership Institute. Abbott Brown Architects will do the design work for the project, which is forecasted to cost $65M and be completed in spring 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s Canadian Home Builders' Association says it needs more time to implement the National Building Code updates that will come into effect on March 31, 2024. The association welcomes the changes, but wants to analyze the new code and its impact.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government will invest over $1.5M to support eight green development projects in Eastern P.E.I., with five also getting $900K from the province. Montague’s AKA Energy Systems and Abegweit First Nation were among those getting support.

    canada.ca
• Week of 2024-03-01 to 2024-03-07

  • The City of Charlottetown is looking to increase the police department’s budget by $1M, which would include the addition of five new police officers, a communications liaison, salary increases and adding forensics technology.

    cbc.ca

  • About 150 international students attended a conference in Charlottetown to learn about resources to help them stay on the Island and find work. The conference is in conjunction with The Study & Stay P.E.I. program, which has about an 80% retention rate.

    cbc.ca

  • The Food Island Partnership will receive over $650K in federal and provincial funding to support agri-food business development on P.E.I. Food Island offers programs such as Food Xcel, Food Propel, and FoodWorks, which help companies start-up and scale-up.

    canada.ca

  • The Medical Society of P.E.I. is concerned about mass shortages in the health-care system and would like to see work paused on the medical school until the impacts can be addressed. A recent report stated that UPEI's medical school would require 135 doctors.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-02-23 to 2024-02-29

  • Calgary-based Lynx Air has ceased operations as of Feb. 26, after filing for creditor protection. The low-cost airline began in 2022 and flew out of Fredericton last summer. A Lynx spokesperson attributed the closure to growing financial pressures.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. performing arts presenters are concerned about how a cut to a $8M federal arts top-up fund will impact them. Smaller markets like P.E.I. can be hit harder, as well as more costly productions such as theatre, circus and dance.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government has released its 5-year housing strategy plan, with 20 priorities aimed at increasing the affordability and number of homes in the province. To meet demand about 2,000 new housing units will be needed to be built per year.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottetown has three separate housing projects going to public consultation. A mixed development at Hillsborough Park could create up to 1,476 new units. The other projects are a 158 unit building at Grafton St and a 257 unit building at University Ave.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I.'s new mental health and addictions emergency department opened on February 27, with a specialized mental health team of psychiatrists, social workers and nurses. It is thought to be the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-02-16 to 2024-02-22

  • The president of UPEI says that if the foreign student cap resulted in a 10% drop in international students, that could leave the university short by $3M. Over $100M comes into the province as a result of international students.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Physiotherapy Association says that Health P.E.I.'s efforts to recruit physiotherapists to work at its new primary care clinics, has left gaps elsewhere. The Island is planning to have 30 medical homes running by the end of this year.

    cbc.ca

  • A report from Spindle Consulting states that UPEI's new medical school will eventually require 135 doctors to devote 20% of their time to teaching. It is estimated that enrolment would peak by 2033, which would require recruiting up to 50 more doctors.

    cbc.ca

  • The Port of Charlottetown is scheduled to host 96 cruise ships and up to 165,000 passengers in 2024, which would greatly surpass the 120,000 visitors who arrived in port in 2023. Last year the direct economic impact from cruise ship visits was about $21.5M.

    cbc.ca

  • An analysis of those who have immigrated to P.E.I. in 2023, shows that 25% listed their occupation being in food service and accommodations, and 10% stated retail. Roughly 9% were in lower-skilled health care positions and only 1.5% were in construction.

    cbc.ca

  • The Construction Association of Prince Edward Island (CAPEI) is collaborating with the federal government to develop and implement a recruitment and retention strategy for skilled tradespeople. The aim is to address critical workforce shortages.

    canada.ca

  • The Prince County Hospital Foundation has purchased land next to the hospital that may be used for future development, such as a training campus, housing or child-care services. The foundation will work with government, UPEI, and the community on a plan.

    cbc.ca

  • The Atlantic provinces signed a new Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism, which will provide $30M in funding over the next four and a half years. The agreement aims to expand tourism year-round. Tourism in the region employs more than 111,000 workers.

    ctvnews.ca
• Week of 2024-02-09 to 2024-02-15

  • The Summerside Port Corporation is nearing completion of its $4.5M upgrade and repair of the west berth wharf, which is expected to be completed this spring. The port's main customers are in the construction and agriculture industries.

    Guardian

  • Tourism P.E.I. and the National Hockey League have a new three-year marketing partnership that will brand P.E.I. as the league's official travel destination. The Island will pay $2.5M for the first year and will receive broadcast exposure and other perks.

    cbc.ca

  • The Dept of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is proposing to close the commercial Maritime fishery for baby eels or elvers in 2024. DFO said it is not possible to have a safe and sustainable elver fishery in 2024, after unauthorized fishers flooded the market in 2023.

    cbc.ca

  • Canada's actors, directors, musicians and the groups representing them have expressed major concerns over the livelihood and reputational threats Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses to them and have called on the Federal Government to include industry protections in its proposed AI legislation.

    citynews.ca

  • Health P.E.I. states that half of the positions on P.E.I.'s medical professional recruitment team are either vacant or on leave. There have been difficulties retaining staff and have five or six empty staffing and recruitment positions.

    cbc.ca

  • The Royal Star facility in Tignish has launched a new lobster dip, the first of several new specialty products designed to add value to some of the lower-end products and create more employment. The hope is to eventually run the operation year-round.

    cbc.ca

  • Elanco Animal Health, a P.E.I. fish health company with 140 employees, has been sold to Merck Animal Health for $1.3B. The CEO of P.E.I. BioAlliance states that the sale is part of the evolution of the Island's biotech sector and will create opportunities.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottettown will receive $10M through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, with the plan to fast-track 300 housing units over the next three years. The city has agreed to make changes to its building permits and zoning, such as taller apartment buildings.

    cbc.ca

  • Bell Media’s parent company BCE Inc. states that it will sell 45 of its 103 regional radio stations and layoff 9% of its workforce or 4,800 jobs. CTV and BNN Bloomberg will see immediate cuts. Five Atlantic radio stations will be sold to Maritime Broadcasting.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-02-02 to 2024-02-08

  • Starting in May, WestJet will offer direct flights between Charlottetown and Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. The Charlottetown Airport had a record year in 2023, and will also see Lynx Air offer flights, as well as Porter, Flair, and Air Canada.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I. says it plans to restore the ICU at Summerside’s Prince County Hospital, after shutting it down in mid-2023 due to a lack of medical specialists. Staff shortages have been worse in internal medicine, family medicine, anesthesia and general surgery.

    cbc.ca

  • The UPEI Faculty Association is concerned about how the new faculty of medicine will work and wants to be a part of the discussions going forward. The plan is to open the school in 2025, but the union wants to know how it will impact its staff.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I. has hired its first two midwives who are now working at Charlottetown's QE Hospital. The midwives can offer pre-conception services and postpartum services for up to eight weeks afterwards. The province plans to add two more midwives.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-01-26 to 2024-02-01

  • TweelCo Properties is proposing a redevelopment of the Queen Parkade in Charlottetown, as well as an expansion onto neighbouring land with added parking spaces, residential units and commercial space. The developer plans to add 40 residential units.

    cbc.ca

  • Perry’s Construction Ltd. was awarded the construction tender for the $720K expansion at École Pierre-Chiasson in Tignish. The foundation was poured in December 2023 and the project is on schedule to be completed by September 2024.

    princeedwardisland.ca

  • New figures from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows that P.E.I.’s apartment vacancy rate rose from 0.8% to 1.1%, which is tied with Nova Scotia for the lowest in Canada. The average rental cost also rose by 8.5% to $1,130.

    cbc.ca

  • The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has released the redfish quota allocations for the Atlantic Provinces when the fishery reopens later this year after a nearly 30-year hiatus with N.L. at 19% (+2.0), N.S. at 33% (-5.8), N.B. at 11% (+3.1), and P.E.I. at 5% (+0.5). The total allowable catch will be 25k tonnes.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-01-19 to 2024-01-25

  • Statistics Canada reports that P.E.I. ranks last among all provinces when it relates to access to a regular health-care provider. In 2022, 76% of Islanders said they had a regular provider, compared to the national average of 86%.

    cbc.ca

  • Holland College is offering a five-day subsidized course, designed for experienced mechanics, on how to repair electric vehicles (EVs). The course will focus on charging and cooling systems, as well as identifying and disconnecting different battery types.

    cbc.ca

  • A proposed 600-unit apartment development on the northwestern edge of Charlottetown, would need the city to approve a zoning change allowing for higher density use. The Hidden Valley subdivision would be near Malpeque and Sherwood Road.

    cbc.ca

  • Kensington’s mayor states that delays and other issues with the province led to SustainAgro deciding to abandon plans in Kensington and instead construct a $150M renewable diesel plant in Ontario. The project would have created 30 full-time jobs.

    cbc.ca

  • Universities and colleges on P.E.I. are concerned about Ottawa’s decision to reduce permits for international students by 35% nationwide. Schools rely on higher international tuition, with Island schools having 30% to 35% international students.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. Cannabis is set to open its fifth retail store in Stratford on January 22. The store will employ nine full-time employees, as well as a few part-time and casual workers.

    cbc.ca

  • A decision by the U.S. to increase the minimum legal size of lobster from 82mm to 84mm in 2025 and then 86mm in 2027, could reduce the amount of lobster shipped to the U.S. from Canada by 10-30%. The decision was made due to a reduction of young lobster.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-01-12 to 2024-01-18

  • Summerside’s Amalgamated Dairies Limited states that it will stop producing ice cream to be sold in stores, due to poor sales, but will still supply ice cream to Island dairy bars. ADL will continue to sell milk, butter, and cheese to stores and restaurants.

    cbc.ca

  • The latest data from CNHC shows 1,139 housing starts on the island in 2023, while P.E.I. added about 6,700 residents over the previous 12 months. With an average of 2.3 people per household, that means that less than half of what is needed is being built.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government announced that the deadline of Jan. 18 for small businesses to repay their CEBA loans, will not be extended any further. If a business misses the deadline, the CEBA loan will be converted to a three year loan at 5%.

    charlottefm.ca

  • According to figures from the last 12 months, the Charlottetown Airport had its best year yet for passenger travel in 2023. The airport broke the 400,000-passenger mark for the first time, with 402,686 passengers, and served five airlines.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government has turned to immigration to help address labour shortages, however census figures suggest that less than one in 40 of P.E.I.'s recent newcomers had trade skills. P.E.I.’s construction industry has faced a labour gap in recent years.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government will provide up to $86M in funding to 15 organizations across Canada to help speed up the credential process of 6,600 internationally educated health workers. The aim is to help fill labour gaps and strengthen the healthcare system.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates 3.5M additional housing units will be needed by 2030 to address the housing affordability issue. The Atlantic provinces are exploring ways to boost factory-built housing as one solution to accelerate housing construction in the region.

    cbc.ca

  • Some home unlicensed daycare operators on P.E.I. say rising costs are making it hard to keep their services affordable and still making a living. Everything from groceries to arts and craft supplies have gone up, resulting in higher fees for parents.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2024-01-05 to 2024-01-11

  • P.E.I.’s opposition parties are concerned that the province does not have paid sick leave legislation as a priority, with no deadline to proceed. The legislation would give workers one sick day after a year on the job and eventually three days after 3 years.

    cbc.ca

  • St. Louis Bar and Grill is expected to open a new location mid-June at the Royalty Power Centre in Charlottetown. The hiring process will begin about 1 ½ months prior to opening and the restaurant is looking to hire 20 to 25 employees.

    Chronicle Herald

  • Many P.E.I. small businesses are concerned about the upcoming pandemic loan deadline to repay the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). In P.E.I., 3,737 businesses borrowed $204M in CEBA loans, and about 62% of businesses have not made a payment yet.

    Telegram

  • Lynx Air, a low-cost airline, will offer new flights from Charlottetown to Toronto and Calgary starting in May. The airline will operate two flights a week starting May 30 and then increase to three departures a week on June 10.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Summerside will get $5.8M in funding through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to help build 132 housing units over the next three years. The money will be used to help eliminate barriers and update bylaws to speed up processes.

    cbc.ca

  • Retailers across P.E.I. anticipated a slower holiday sales season and didn’t add staff. There were 1,100 fewer part-time retail jobs in December 2023 than what there was the year before. Retail is P.E.I.'s biggest private-sector employer.

    cbc.ca

  • The Kings County Memorial Hospital Foundation has leased space in Montague's Down East Mall with plans to open an appointment-based primary-care clinic, as well as a walk-in clinic. Renovations, staffing, and additional funding are still required.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale has opened for the season, with just one hill open for now. The weather has not been favourable, but the ski park has been hard at work making snow, and the Nordic trails are open for fat bikes.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-12-29 to 2024-01-04

  • Charlottetown city council made a design amendment for its new mental health and addictions campus, which will allow work to begin and eventually replace the Hillsborough Hospital in 2027. The new facility will need to recruit 150 new workers.

    cbc.ca

  • The Public Service Commission's 2022-2023 annual report states that the federal public service grew by 6.5% from April 2022 to March 2023, adding 16,642 new employees. Over 423,000 people applied to externally-advertised public service positions.

    Other Sources

  • Effective January 1, rent increases across P.E.I. will be capped at 3%, provided that the landlord provides the renter 3 months notice. Housing advocates say that is too high and P.E.I.’s rental association says it is too low to make a profit.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s Construction Association is offering training programs aimed at skilled newcomers and youth that are interested in a construction career. Students are currently building tiny homes and will eventually build 35 for the province to support affordable housing.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-12-22 to 2023-12-28

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reports that P.E.I. has no new occurrences of potato wart and wants input for an updated national potato wart response plan. Focus will be on biosecurity, seed potato production, and what to do with fields with potato wart.

    cbc.ca

  • Six months after a third-party review of workplace harassment and misconduct was done on UPEI’s work environment, the university has created seven new positions to address student support, equity, diversity and inclusion, and sexual violence.

    cbc.ca

  • As P.E.I. struggles to maintain services as its population grows, the provincial government is being urged to ease back on immigration programs. The Island has grown by 4.0% annually and has an apartment vacancy rate of less than 1.0%.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada will invest nearly $1M in three agri-food businesses in eastern P.E.I. to help them grow and operate more efficiently. The companies are Atlantic Roasted Products Inc., Healthy Berries Ltd., and Machon’s Point Fishermen’s Co-op.

    canada.ca
• Week of 2023-12-15 to 2023-12-21

  • The Lobster Fishers of P.E.I. Marketing Board says the price of live lobster is as high as $11.50 a pound, up from $7.50 last year. Catches were down this year in New England, N.S., and N.B., plus demand is high in the Asian market, followed by the U.S.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada will provide $94M in funding over three years to enable P.E.I. to make improvements to health care. Part of its action plan includes building 16 new Patient Medical Homes, international recruitment, and expanding laboratory services.

    canada.ca

  • A new report states that P.E.I.'s health-care system is backed up with long wait times. The report also indicates that many people don’t have a family doctor. Staffing shortages remain a pressing issue, and P.E.I.’s growing population is adding more strain to the health care system.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s population was 175,853 on Oct. 31, an increase of 6,707 (4%) compared to a year earlier, the 2nd highest growth rate in the country. The Island added over 3,000 immigrants, about 1,500 of which came from other provinces. In total the province added around 2,300 non-permanent residents.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that Canada’s inflation rate was steady at 3.1% in November, with mortgage costs, food and rent with the biggest increases. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up by 2.5% in N.S, 2.1% in N.L., 1.7% in N.B., and only 0.4% in P.E.I.

    thewave.ca

  • Through a combination of federal and provincial funding, P.E.I. will hit the target of offering a flat-rate of $10-a-day through its child care centres, effective January 1, 2024. It is expected that families could save up to $4,170 a year per child.

    canada.ca

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) plans to create separate possession-and-export licences for elvers/baby eels in an effort to crack down on illegal fishing in the Maritimes. Canadian elver export in 2022 was four times the legal catch limit.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-12-08 to 2023-12-14

  • Atlantic Aqua Farms, a P.E.I.-based blue mussel grower, has received $3.4M in research funding to develop a genetic breeding program for its mussels. The aim is to use genomics to improve its ability to withstand climate conditions and boost production.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Spindle report, a consultant's review of the staffing and infrastructure needs for P.E.I.’s new medical school, reveals that, in some instances, the school would require more instructors than are currently available on the island.

    cbc.ca

  • A new research report by the Atlantic Economic Council shows Indigenous businesses contributed 5% of Atlantic Canada’s GDP, over 8% of jobs, and about $3.6B to the economy in 2020. The report identified 660 Indigenous-owned businesses and 2,400 self-employed persons in N.S. as of 2023.

    cbc.ca

  • A new study from Downtowns Atlantic Canada Inc. reports that downtown businesses are dealing with security issues, lack of staffing, decreased foot traffic due to remote work, and concerns about repayment of the federal CEBA small business loans.

    globalnews.ca

  • The City of Charlottetown states that the city’s official plan won’t be completed until September 2024, which is the document that outlines development and land use in the city. Developers want amendments to allow more density builds.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottetown council approved $25K in emergency funding to The Guild in an effort to provide support to the arts and culture centre. The P.E.I. Arts Guild, which runs the centre, has seen reduced profitability and has laid off four staff in the past year.

    cbc.ca

  • The developer of a proposed 8-storey apartment building in downtown Charlottetown has withdrawn its application after city staff recommended against it. The site had only been approved for a six-storey building.

    cbc.ca

  • A $68M solar panel farm in Summerside called Sunbank is now producing energy and will eventually provide about 21 megawatts of energy or 25% of the city’s energy. Summerside owns its own power utility, but still needs to buy energy from NB Power.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. is predicting a $98.6M deficit in 2024, with government spending expected to grow by $26.7M due to energy efficiency programs and social spending. The province saw growth in employment, retail sales, manufacturing, and international exports last year.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-12-01 to 2023-12-07

  • Christmas tree farms on the Island are reporting brisk business as the holidays approach. Green Needle Tree Farm in Winsloe and Emyvale Ranch in Emyvale are small operations with 4500-5000 trees, but have seen their customer base grow over the years.

    cbc.ca

  • The Royalty Crossing shopping centre in Charlottetown is expanding, with a new strip mall being added and Winners will grow by another 8,000 ft2. Four new strip mall tenants are expected to open in May 2024, and food court renos will allow seven new tenants.

    cbc.ca

  • Rural P.E.I. is seeing increased demand for housing with communities like Kinkora and Kensington building more single-family homes, as well as mixed-density housing, like apartment buildings. The Island is in the process of developing a land use plan.

    cbc.ca

  • According to Statistics Cananada, 11% of women and 16% of men were self-employed in 2022. The report also stated that 80% of self-employed women and 68% of self-employed men had no employees in 2022.

    ctvnews.ca

  • CBC/Radio Canada announced it will cut about 10% of its workforce or roughly 600 unionized and non-unionized positions, due to financial pressures. Another 200 vacant positions will also be cut. It’s unknown how many layoffs will be in Atlantic Canada.

    vocm.com

  • P.E.I. farmers had a tough season, which started with high costs for fertilizer, seeds and sprays, and ended with wet weather and a shortage of trucks. Rain caused harvesting delays and all three grain elevators have been full and waiting for trucks to unload.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-11-24 to 2023-11-30

  • Nova-Scotia based Vida Living, a real estate company that offers affordable housing, has expanded into the P.E.I. market. The company bought 20 apartment buildings in Stratford and Charlottetown and owns 2,000 units in the Maritimes.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government wants to increase the housing supply and has provided financial assistance to the private sector, but now wants to work with non-profits. P.E.I.’s construction workforce has been growing and employed over 8,000 workers in July.

    cbc.ca

  • Mastermind Toys, the Canadian toy retailer, has filed for creditor protection and intends to close some of its 66 stores across Canada. The company states that it faced a number of challenges such as the pandemic, increased competition, and a poor economy.

    charlottefm.ca

  • P.E.I.'s site director for Dalhousie's medical school says that the Island’s medical residency program will expand next summer from five seats to seven. Students that graduate from medical school need to complete two years of studies to become fully licensed doctors.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that P.E.I.’s rental costs increased by 23.6% between 2019 and 2023, well above the national average of 16.5%. Those numbers give P.E.I. the third largest increase in the country, as the Island’s vacancy rate sits around 1%.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government has announced a $7M Low-Interest Loan Pilot Program to help early childhood education facilities expand. Appleseed Childcare in Montague plans to double the capacity of its centre to 125 spaces with the help of the new loan program.

    cbc.ca

  • According to a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, labour shortages have cost small businesses across Canada over $38B. Lack of staff has meant that existing employees have had to work harder. Employers have had to cut down on hours and turn down services and contracts.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Atlantic Canada Cruise Association reports that more than 600 cruise ships came to the region between April and August, with a 28% increase in port calls. The Port of Sydney and Saint John experienced record-breaking activity in 2023.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Despite the strength of the seafood sector, three maritime seafood companies were forced into receivership in 2023 with TD Bank as a secured creditor. These include Chester Basin Seafoods, Meridien Atlantic and Rocky Coast Seafoods, and P.E.I.’s South Shore Seafoods.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Fishermen's Association agrees with a recent federal report which states that more timely and dependable data is needed on fish landings. The Island has been hit hard by the closing of the herring and mackerel fisheries.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-11-17 to 2023-11-23

  • The P.E.I. government is having difficulties developing a new home caregiver grant program that will provide grants as high as $1,500 per month to support family members. The government has set aside $5.2M to deliver the program.

    cbc.ca

  • Some P.E.I. daycare centres say more provincial funding for support staff is needed in order to increase capacity. Currently funding is based on the number of educators it has and support staff like admin support, cleaners and cooks aren’t included.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s health minister is hoping to sign formal agreements with other provincial health authorities after a N.B. hospital refused to accept cardiac patients from the Island last weekend. Health P.E.I. spent $47M in off-Island health care in 2022-2023.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.-based pharmaceutical company BioVectra has nearly completed its $90M expansion, which will see another 125 people hired. It will open a new biologics fermentation facility and development lab in Windsor, N.S. and Canada's first mRNA vaccine biomanufacturing centre in Charlottetown.

    cbc.ca

  • The Atlantic Recruitment working group is looking to recruit international health-care workers in a more collaborative approach, as opposed to drawing from other provinces. Dubai, India, the Philippines, and Ireland are all potential recruitment sites.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A panel of labour and business representatives are recommending changes to P.E.I.’s labour laws, including predictable minimum wage increases, increased paid sick leave, and a shortened work week (from 48 hours to 44 hours).

    Guardian

  • P.E.I.'s wedding industry claim that 2023 was a busy year, with many DJs, makeup artists, florists, and seamstresses booked solid for the wedding season, which typically runs from May to October. Some businesses, like Caseley's Tent and Party Rentals, have expanded to keep up with demand.

    cbc.ca

  • The town council of Stratford is in the process of making a bylaw amendment to allow developers to build stacked townhouses in an effort to increase housing density. The amendment would apply to areas where regular townhouses are already permitted.

    cbc.ca

  • In its bid to recruit international nurses, Health P.E.I. is looking for short and long-term housing to help house new recruits. Some employers, like a Belfast nursing home, have purchased rental units for staff use.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-11-10 to 2023-11-16

  • A proposed 158-unit apartment building at 199 Grafton Street is awaiting public consultation and further review from the city before the project can proceed. In order to make the project more economical, the developer wants to increase the height from 6 to 8 stories.

    cbc.ca

  • Veterans Affairs Canada announced $164M in funding to extend about 500 temporary staff until at least 2026. They were originally hired back in 2018 to clear the backlog of disability benefits applications. P.E.I. has about 200 of these temporary employees.

    Guardian

  • The Belfast Mini Mills storefront in eastern P.E.I. closed last month, though manufacturing will continue with a new generation of family members. The company has 15 staff that produce affordable mill machinery for customers in 50 countries.

    cbc.ca

  • Crystal Beach Campground in Lower New Annan will close permanently, after being extensively damaged from post-tropical storm Fiona. The owner reports that his insurance provider wouldn’t cover repairs and he was denied government funding.

    cbc.ca

  • A P.E.I. daycare that was damaged after Fiona has re-opened in a newly renovated and expanded facility in St. Teresa, a small rural community in eastern P.E.I. Rainbow Beginnings Early Learning Centre plans to add more spaces and recruit more staff.

    cbc.ca

  • Scotiabank is planning on closing branches in Crapaud, Kensington and O'Leary. The Crapaud location will close on December 13 and O'Leary customers were informed that their accounts will be transferred to Summerside, but not until November 2024.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-11-03 to 2023-11-09

  • P.E.I. farmers say that wet weather this fall has resulted in fewer harvesting days and delays. There is still up to 2,500 hundred acres of potatoes in the ground and only 50% of the soybeans have been harvested on the Island so far.

    cbc.ca

  • According to a report by a task force on attainable housing, Summerside needs to create more of a mix of housing density to make homes more attainable in the city. The city will likely be required to make changes to increase allowable building height and density.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. has launched a new $17.5M rent-to-own home program, which will see the province buy eligible homes and rent them back to Islanders. In order to qualify, applicants are required to have a low household income and not have owned a home in the past.

    cbc.ca

  • Restaurant owners on P.E.I. are faced with rising costs and reduced demand. Food costs on P.E.I. are 27% higher than they were in 2019, whereas wages in the hospitality sector are up by 23%. Meal delivery services charge between 15-30% per order.

    cbc.ca

  • The Atlantica Centre for Energy has created a new literacy project called Fuel 4 the Future (F4F). The aim is to raise awareness of opportunities in the clean energy sector and create new career pathways in clean hydrogen, biofuels, and renewable natural gas.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Health P.E.I. reports that it has hired 201 registered nurses (RNs), 72 licensed practical nurses, 9 nurse practitioners, and 265 personal care workers since the start of 2023. In the past year, approximately 100 RNs have retired or stopped working on the Island.

    cbc.ca

  • Veterinarians across Canada are increasingly reporting burnout and deteriorating mental health conditions due to elevated stress levels, staff shortages and growing demand for services. Canada has had a shortage of vet technologists, technicians and vets.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-10-27 to 2023-11-02

  • A survey conducted by the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation has found that 78% of teachers have experienced burnout, while 62% have considered quitting. Other findings is that 25% of teachers feel unsafe or harassed by parents and 44% would not recommend teaching.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the First Atlantic Municipal Report released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), small businesses want more support from municipalities. They would like to see reduced taxes, less paperwork, and quicker processing.

    thewave.ca

  • Health departments across Canada are increasingly using nursing agencies to fill shifts that aren’t covered by current staff. Agency nurses get higher pay and have more flexibility, while working beside public system nurses who earn less and are asked to work more.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government made changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which will allow employers in seven sectors that have labour shortages, to hire up to 30% of their staff until Aug 30, 2024. Sectors include accommodation and food services, construction, food manufacturing and hospitals.

    Globe & Mail

  • The Residential Rental Association of P.E.I. states that landlords are also being impacted by the rising cost of doing business. Prices are rising on landscaping, heating fuel, appliances, and doing maintenance work as well.

    cbc.ca

  • A report was released last week, which examines P.E.I.'s long-term care homes. The report calls for legislation to be applied equally to public and private care homes, as well as better government support to improve private facilities and offer better wages.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-10-20 to 2023-10-26

  • The consulting group, Left Turn Right Turn, is gathering feedback from residents on T3’s transit system in Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford. The province is seeing a surge in transit ridership and the consultants will offer recommendations for improvement.

    cbc.ca

  • A number of P.E.I. nursing homes have yet to access any of the $7M in available provincial funding, with the bulk of that money going towards wages. Public care workers earn about $21-$22 an hour, while private care workers can earn as low as $12 an hour.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I. is looking to make new formal agreements with outside provinces to provide specialist health services currently not available on the Island. It currently sends patients to Saint John for cardiac help and to the IWK in Halifax for pediatric care.

    cbc.ca

  • The Charlottetown Airport set a record for the number of passengers handled during the 2023 summer season. As a result Porter Airlines will begin offering winter service to Ottawa. Air Canada, meanwhile, will offer daily flights to Toronto and Montreal.

    cbc.ca

  • The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory not to serve or sell oysters from Future Seafoods Inc. of Bedeque, due to salmonella and E. coli concerns. Future Seafoods Inc. has not initiated a recall.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. Housing Corporation will release a draft housing strategy this fall, with its mandate being to provide affordable housing to Island residents of low and moderate incomes. The housing document will focus on long-term priorities and will account for labour shortages.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-10-13 to 2023-10-19

  • Health ministers from across Canada have identified its main priorities for health care. These include improving retention, examining training and supply demands, quicker international credential process, easier labour mobility, and improved workforce data.

    cbc.ca

  • Retailers report that theft is a growing problem, with Charlottetown Police Services stating that shoplifting complaints have doubled. Measures to address theft include new security cameras, additional staff, and collaboration with other retailers.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Real Estate Association’s statistics for September shows that home prices are rising again after a 6 month dip in 2022. In July 2022, P.E.I.’s benchmark price hit a high of $370K. Demand is high for entry-level homes priced between $300-$400K.

    cbc.ca

  • New research from KPMG Canada found that extreme weather events this year have impacted nearly 60% of small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. Over 50% of those surveyed experienced a significant rise in overall costs, while 44% reported a direct loss in revenue.

    charlottefm.ca

  • A wind power report states that Atlantic Canada has the opportunity to become a global leader in renewable energy if it harnesses its offshore wind potential. The Sable Island Bank could ideally handle 1,000 offshore turbines and supply around 70,000 GWs.

    cbc.ca

  • Enrolment at UPEI has grown 18% in the last 5 years, which has caused problems for students looking to get into certain courses. The UPEI Faculty Association states that more faculty is needed, as the number of salaried faculty members has risen by only 10%.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-10-06 to 2023-10-12

  • The new $25M Simmons Sports Complex in Charlottetown will be delayed until October 2024, due to continuing supply chain issues. The project was also impacted by the limited availability of contractors and workers.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada will invest almost $2M in Charlottetown Metal Products (CMP) for the creation of its new Innovation Center, which will create about 33 jobs. The facility will develop and test energy efficient hygienic food processing equipment.

    canada.ca

  • P.E.I. health recruitment has increased almost threefold compared to what was spent 5 years ago, due to more financial incentives being offered and more specialties being recruited. Positions include physicians, nurses, and applied health positions.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s building industry is asking the P.E.I. government to bring in a contractor registry or licensing program to help protect customers from scams and shoddy work. Most provinces have safety associations requiring certification, as well as builders' codes.

    cbc.ca

  • A new $7.6M Alberton Community Health Centre has opened in western P.E.I., which is staffed with three physicians and one nurse practitioner. The 20,000 ft2 facility will also offer mental health and addiction services.

    cbc.ca

  • According to Statistics Canada, employment levels rose by 64,000 across Canada in September, although the unemployment rate remained at 5.5%. N.B. lost 2,700 jobs, whereas N.S. and P.E.I. added 1,800 and 2,700, respectively.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2023-09-29 to 2023-10-05

  • Maritime Electric, P.E.I.'s main power utility, is set to undertake a $47.6M project to replace 88,000 meters with smart meters. These new smart meters should allow the utility to receive up-to-date feedback on things like power outages and do quicker repairs.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s mobile mental health service effectiveness has been impacted by a number of factors, including a lack of staff, shortage of available mobile units to dispatch, and calls not always being directed to the appropriate line. The program was launched two years ago.

    cbc.ca

  • Soon after P.E.I.’s minimum wage increased to $15 an hour on Oct. 1, the province announced that two additional increases would follow in the coming year. The next increases are set to take place on April 1 (from $15 to $15.40) and October 1 ($15.40 to $16).

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government is proceeding with its plan to remove the provincial portion of the HST for new rental builds, in hopes that it will help increase new developments. The federal government had previously announced that it would remove the GST portion.

    cbc.ca

  • Federal housing officials have issued three requisites for the City of Charlottetown to receive federal funding. They want the city to reduce restrictions, allow four-unit buildings citywide, and increased densification around UPEI and Holland College.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s population reached an all-time high of 173,787 this year, with 15,000 new arrivals between July 2022 and July 2023. Despite some out-migration and a low birth rate, P.E.I.’s growth rate of 3.9% was the highest in Canada.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-09-22 to 2023-09-28

  • P.E.I.’s AKA Energy Systems is excited by a new report by Oceans North, which makes the case for incentives and targets for electrifying marine vessels. AKA just launched its first hybrid boat this summer and wants its own all-electric lobster boat by next year.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.-based South Shore Seafoods Ltd. has filed for creditor protection after owing over $55M to creditors. Other seafood companies are also part of the insolvency proceedings. The companies have a combined 300 employees, with 270 being part-time or seasonal.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government will begin its category-based selection from the Express Entry immigration pool this week and begin with agriculture and agri-food occupations. The process will allow Canada to invite those with specific skills and training.

    charlottefm.ca

  • An Island developer is proposing to build a golf course on the fabrication yard in Borden-Carleton. The 45 hectare site has been left vacant for 25 years, but would require support from the community and discussions with the province, who own the land.

    cbc.ca

  • A federal/provincial initiative will provide $1.7M to eligible fruit tree growers on P.E.I. that were impacted by Hurricane Fiona. The money will be used to fix and replace trellis infrastructure and damaged trees, labour costs, and other related costs.

    canada.ca

  • The federal government will begin its category-based selection from the Express Entry immigration pool this week and begin with agriculture and agri-food occupations. The process will allow Canada to invite those with specific skills and training.

    Chronicle Herald

  • The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture reports that P.E.I. lost 12.3% of its farmland between 2016 and 2021 and could lose as much as half by 2050. Most of the land lost results from development, but the federation states that farmland helps the economy, environment and tourism.

    cbc.ca

  • The College of Family Physicians of Canada wants the residency programs for family doctors to increase from two to three years in 2027. While this extra clinical specialty training could better prepare doctors and physicians, it could also add to the shortage of family doctors.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada has announced $9M to help improve the readiness of designated climate comfort centres. Funding will be used for facility and equipment upgrades, emergency supply purchases and training.

    canada.ca
• Week of 2023-09-15 to 2023-09-21

  • ACOA announced it will invest $12.6M in core funding to support the 41 Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) in Atlantic Canada. CBDCs support economic development in primarily rural areas and help businesses to grow and create jobs.

    canada.ca

  • Four independent senators have released a report that is critical of Canada’s international education program and suggest that designated learning institutions (DLIs) need to be held accountable for their recruitment practices. They would like to see greater protection and support for international students and a national policy developed. Atlantic Canada accounts for 5% of international students.

    Other Sources

  • P.E.I. potato farmers are approaching harvest season, but are concerned with all the rain this summer. Crops can be damaged, harder to harvest and difficult to store. This can lead to the culling of damaged potatoes.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Nurses Union is concerned that the province will not continue to offer financial incentives to help fill nursing positions. It is estimated that 20-29% of nursing jobs are vacant. P.E.I.’s rate of part-time nurses is higher than the national average.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government is looking to remove the provincial portion of HST on new rental housing construction, as the number of new Island homes built has fallen in each of the last two years. Island apartment construction in 2022 brought in $8M in HST.

    cbc.ca

  • Summerside officially broke ground on the Regent, a $18M five-storey building on the corner of Water and Summer streets. The building is expected to be completed in 2025 and will contain 40 residential units, as well as commercial space.

    cbc.ca

  • Apple farmers on P.E.I. are concerned about post-tropical storm Fiona as the trees are full of heavy fruit and vulnerable. Last year Fiona knocked down about 100,000 of the 600,000 apple trees on the Island.

    cbc.ca

  • A recent survey by the Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce has found that 75% of entrepreneurs are concerned about rising business costs. Other concerns were recruitment and retention, access to skilled labour, rising interest rates, red tape and more.

    Telegram
• Week of 2023-09-08 to 2023-09-14

  • According to the latest StatsCan report, P.E.I.’s economy has 6,000 more jobs than it did at the beginning of 2023, despite a loss of 1,000 jobs in the wholesale and retail sector. The agriculture and construction industry have both shown strong job growth.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government made its first municipal agreement under the multi-billion dollar Housing Accelerator Fund, which is part of a new housing strategy. The idea is to offer incentives for municipalities to reduce red tape and allow for quicker construction.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A new report by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.(CMHC) states that Canada needs an additional 3.5M housing units by 2030, above and beyond current projections. Immigration, rising incomes, and limited supply are driving demand.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Canada’s military has a vacancy rate of around 10% and recruitment has been unable to keep up. This comes after the Armed Forces relaxed the dress standards a year ago in an effort to attract new recruits. Other measures include offering signing bonuses and shorter contracts.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal and provincial governments will spend $46M over five years to fund sustainable agriculture on P.E.I. The money will go toward improving soil quality and will also fund a livestock industry enhancement program.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-09-01 to 2023-09-07

  • Tourism operators on Prince Edward Island report that the 2023 peak tourist season was a mixed bag after a banner season in 2022. This summer saw inflation concerns, rising fuel costs, disruption in ferry service, and was impacted by natural disasters.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Charlottetown business owners are hoping for a strong fall tourism season, with a few events scheduled and more cruise ships expected in the fall. Some operators find it a challenge to keep staff on into the fall, but some offer bonuses if staff stay on.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-08-25 to 2023-08-31

  • The P.E.I. Grain Elevator Corporation states that heavy rain and winds on various parts of the island have left some farms in bad shape. Some crops are still wet when they come into the grain elevators and some cereal crops are too wet to be used.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottetown Airport will have less flight options in October as Swoop will have its last flight out of Charlottetown on Oct. 15 and Flair won’t be offering any flights after Oct. 10. Flair is expected to resume service next summer.

    cbc.ca

  • Atlantic Beef Products is looking to recruit 15 to 30 workers in Brazil due to a shortage of experienced industrial beef cutters at home. Although the company does train people, it can take two years to be proficient and turnover can be an issue.

    cbc.ca

  • The Public Schools Branch in P.E.I. has added 60 new teachers and 90 educational assistants across the Island. Officials found students need more support with social and mental issues, and to help newcomers whose first language may not be English.

    cbc.ca

  • Holland College states that the shortage of housing is impacting enrolment and could limit the number of international students it accepts. The college has about 115 people on its wait-list for housing and its first priority are P.E.I. students.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I. has made bylaw changes regarding medical staff, which will allow temporary staff (locums) to become permanent after three months. The current locums, about a dozen physicians, will be offered new appointments with benefits.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government will invest $4.5M for a new P.E.I. living lab, which will bring together farmers, scientists and others to do on-farm research. The initiative will involve 125 farms and will focus on farming best practices and climate change research.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-08-18 to 2023-08-24

  • The P.E.I. government is allocating $50M in funding to assist private and non-profit organizations to build new housing developments. Rural housing projects will get $20M of the funding, while the remainder will go toward Charlottetown, Cornwall, Stratford and Summerside areas.

    Guardian

  • Canada is seeing a steady influx of international students, with a record 550,150 international study permits issued last year, but more student housing is needed. There is currently no cap on students allowed or requirement for schools to build housing.

    cbc.ca

  • Canadian tech companies using the Global Talent Stream (GTS) to recruit foreign workers has dipped 2.8% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The use of GTS is still above pre-pandemic levels, despite layoffs and hiring slowdowns.

    thelogic.co

  • P.E.I. is planning to add 300 new childcare spaces across the Island with the help of $4.6M in funding from the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. On Oct. 1 childhood educators and staff will receive wage increases from $0.50 to $1.75/hr.

    Cape Breton Post

  • P.E.I.'s Ignition Fund has issued $25K in provincial grants to five P.E.I. startups, which will provide start-up capital or money for product launches. Recipients include Quest Read, Upcycle Green Technology, Finix Clothing, Sport4TV, and Salty Mountain Clothing Inc.

    Guardian

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has completed its potato wart investigation, after collecting and analyzing almost 50,000 soil samples. Potato wart was found in four additional fields. The P.E.I. Potato Board is hopeful the potato ban will be lifted.

    cbc.ca

  • Licensed cannabis producers and retailers continue to struggle due to dropping prices, a saturated market and a heavy tax burden. They are predicting a significant increase in the number of bankruptcies within the next 18 months without any federal level changes to help the industry.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-08-11 to 2023-08-17

  • The Construction Association of P.E.I. says the growth of the workforce has not kept up to demand, which has led to a reduction in housing starts. The value of P.E.I. building permits issued are also down, due in part to delays in issuing permits.

    cbc.ca

  • Residents of P.E.I. that graduate from the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Paramedic Support Program, can now have all their tuition costs subsidized by the province, provided that they complete a two-year work term on the Island.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Northumberland Strait fall lobster fishery has opened up after weather delays, allowing boats in southern P.E.I., northwestern N.S. and southeastern N.B. to set their traps. Demand for this season's catch is expected to be high and push up prices.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government is proposing a 1,200-unit development on a 34-hectare parcel of land in the Hillsborough Park area of Charlottetown. The plan includes single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments, as well as trails, parks and a village square.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture reports that more and more farmers are looking at succession planning, with the average age of a P.E.I. farm operator being about 56 years old. Farm Credit Canada says it can take 3-5 years to transfer farm ownership.

    cbc.ca

  • Recent job data from Statistics Canada shows that construction employment has decreased by 71,000 across Canada since January 2023. The industry has 80,000 vacancies, which has impacted costs and productivity, while there is a growing need for new homes.

    www.msn.com
• Week of 2023-08-04 to 2023-08-10

  • The federal government announced a new three-year pilot program, which will speed up the approval process for companies with a track record of using foreign workers. It is hoped it will help with labour shortages, especially in the agricultural sector.

    theglobeandmail.com

  • P.E.I.’s Pharmacy Plus program, which is expanding pharmacist’s scope of practice, is easing pressure on the Island's health-care system. Island pharmacies however are facing labour shortages and need about 20 more pharmacists, 20 technicians and six assistants.

    cbc.ca

  • Census data shows the number of Islanders aged 20-34 who are living with parents or roommates increased from 45% in 2016 to 50% in 2021. A volunteer with the P.E.I. Fight for Affordable Housing states that the high housing costs are the reason for the jump.

    cbc.ca

  • As the federal government tries to expand access to dental care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan, its success could be hampered by a shortage of dental staff. Across Canada there is a scarcity of dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other staff.

    Other Sources

  • The owners of the Strait Goods restaurant in Souris are planning on running an after-school program in unused space at the building they own. They intend to open from September to December as a pilot, which is during the restaurant’s slow off-season.

    cbc.ca