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 2023-05-19 to 2023-05-25

  • The latest assessments from Fisheries and Oceans Canada states that the Maritime lobster population is strong and the fishery is sustainable, despite warming ocean temperatures. Lobsters can tolerate a wider range of temperatures than other species.

    cbc.ca

  • Outdoor retailer Mountain Equipment Co. is opening a new store in Moncton this August and is recruiting for various positions. The 1,500-square-metre store will be stocked with various outdoor gear and clothing accessories.

    globalnews.ca

  • Air Canada will add two new flights out of the Saint John Airport this summer. The airline will offer an additional daily flight to Toronto and Montreal. Flight capacity was also increased to Toronto at the Fredericton and Moncton airports.

    cbc.ca

  • The Cask and Kettle opened a third location at the Westfield Golf and Country Club in Grand Bay-Westfield. Plans are also in the works to open a production brewery on Somerset Street and eventually have a taproom on site.

    charlottefm.ca

  • WestJet and the Air Line Pilots Association (union) representing its pilots reached a last-minute deal on May 18, averting a strike planned for the following day. Key issues addressed in the tentative agreement include job security, working conditions and wages.

    cbc.ca

  • Beer Bread, a Detroit-style pizzeria will open an uptown Saint John location at 7 Market Square this June.

    thewave.ca

  • In March the number of Canadians receiving jobless benefits through Employment Insurance fell to a record low, as the labour market remained tight. This was the lowest number of regular EI beneficiaries going back to 1997.

    theglobeandmail.com

  • A Moncton economist says that increased pressure on the housing market is due in large part to population growth. Labour shortages are a challenge as well, as the number of construction workers is essentially unchanged from 10 years ago. Nearly a third of the construction workers are expected to retire within five years.

    cbc.ca

  • The organization that promotes the Moncton region says that visitor spending in 2022 was just shy of pre-pandemic levels at $565M. With various major events and concerts scheduled for 2023, the city already has some full hotel bookings for this summer.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-05-12 to 2023-05-18

  • Through the Canada-New Brunswick Early Learning Child Care Agreement, the province will create 603 new early learning and child care spaces in 24 communities. Almost 400 spaces will be available in September, with more to follow.

    thewave.ca

  • Horizon Health recruited almost 2,400 new health care workers in the 2022/2023 fiscal year, despite a net gain of 550 employees. Overall there were 528 registered nurses, 337 licenced practical nurses and 523 personal care attendants recruited to N.B.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The New Brunswick Teachers’ Federation has given the government a 100-day strike notice, if a collective agreement isn’t reached by then. A conciliation process will begin in June, but if a deal isn’t reached then the school year could be impacted.

    globalnews.ca

  • Restaurants Canada is concerned about the federal deadline of Dec 31, for restaurants to pay back their COVID-19 loans. According to the association bankruptcies are up 116% since 2022, as businesses face rising costs, labour shortages and supply constraints.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The Saint John Newcomers Centre is heading a one-year pilot project that will help international students get matched with local employers. The program conducts a skills assessment and creates a structured employment plan to connect with suitable jobs.

    thewave.ca

  • Pharmacists in N.B. are now able to provide more primary care services for various minor illnesses and conditions, such as eczema, impetigo, lyme disease, and acne. This should help doctors deal with more complicated ailments.

    cbc.ca

  • An residential area on Hillsborough road in Riverview has been rezoned to allow for the construction of a 36-unit and 18-unit building. Riverview currently has a 0.2% vacancy rate according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

    globalnews.ca
• Week of 2023-05-05 to 2023-05-11

  • The Saint John campus of the New Brunswick Community College is introducing a new two-year carpentry co-op program that will target international students. The aim is to address labour shortages in the industry and help fill future job vacancies.

    Telegraph Journal

  • The New Brunswick government awarded a 10-year, $30M health services contract to Moncton's Medavie Blue Cross. Medavie administers about $80M in health, dental and other benefits for the provincial government and has held the contract since the 1960s .

    cbc.ca

  • Chief Fuels plans to open a 26 megawatt cryptocurrency mine in Grand Falls. The company is proceeding on schedule and expects to be operational in early 2024. Crypto mines run thousands of computers that conduct millions of transactions to earn cryptocurrency.

    cbc.ca

  • The N.B. Government will provide $970K in funding to the Université de Moncton so it can expand its nurse practitioner program. With the expansion, the program will now by full-time, which should increase the number of yearly graduates from three to 12.

    thewave.ca

  • The Nummy Snack Bar opened on the 5th of May at 24 King Street in Saint Andrews. Three employees have been hired to work at the takeout and smoothie bar, which will offer various meal options such as vegetarian, curry, and local dishes.

    thewave.ca

  • The Fat Pie Shop, a new bakery and Euro deli, will open in St. Stephen this June. It will specialize in cream cheese pies and Italian desserts, such as tiramisu and cannoli.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The Saint John Airport reported having welcomed 149,000 passengers in 2022, down significantly from the 281,000 figure in 2019. Officials state that the problem is that there is not enough aircrafts visiting the city.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The N.B. Construction Association reports that over the next five years, the province is going to see a steep reduction in the skilled trades workforce, which currently has 2,000 job vacancies across the province. Fewer high school graduates are now interested in the trades.

    Telegram
• Week of 2023-04-28 to 2023-05-04

  • The union representing the 35,000 employees of CRA has agreed to a tentative deal with the federal government. The deal includes a 12.6% wage increase over four years and a lump-sum pensionable payment of $2500, as well as other arrangements.

    cbc.ca

  • The province has approved the use of 20,000 hectares of land to be used for wild blueberry development in northeastern N.B. at the former Tracadie firing range. Wild blueberry development in the area is expected to generate over $610M over the next 12 years.

    cbc.ca

  • The Atlantic Physician Registry officially launched on May 1 in the four Atlantic provinces. Physicians licensed in any of the four provinces can now opt in to the registry and practise in another Atlantic province.

    novascotia.ca

  • Special K Fisheries, a fish processing plant on Grand Manan Island, was destroyed in a fire early this month. There were no reports of workers injured from the fire at the plant, which is one of the major employers on the island.

    globalnews.ca

  • The N.B. government will reduce the royalties it charges for wood cut on public land, just seven months after it raised royalty rates. Softwood royalties will drop by 46%. The reduced rates will cost the province about $50M and will hurt private woodlots.

    cbc.ca

  • Treasury Board has reached a tentative agreement with PSAC and its 120,000 federal government workers. The deal includes a 12.6% wage increase over four years, a lump sum payment of $2500, and additional language on remote work.

    cbc.ca

  • Chez Camille, a popular restaurant in Cap-Pelé, has reopened almost a year after it burned to the ground. The new restaurant is state of the art and triple the size of the original building.

    globalnews.ca

  • The Saint John Regional Hospital will undergo $155M in renovations, along with the construction of a two-storey addition to the facility. Phase one has already begun with preparing the site and the facility is expected to be completed and opened by 2029.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2023-04-21 to 2023-04-27

  • New Brunswick will invest $2.5M over the next five years in a new medical student scholarship fund. It is expected that up to 300 medical students will benefit from the fund, which will be delivered through the New Brunswick Medical Education Foundation.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The N.B. Maple Syrup Association reports that maple production this year was at its lowest level since 2018, due mainly to drastic changes in the weather. Maple exports have grown by 20% every year for the past three years, which will likely result in some shortages this year.

    cbc.ca

  • Changes made in legislation last fall has allowed New Brunswick's first private cataract surgery clinic to open in Bathurst. The N.B. government has imposed safeguards to avoid the risks of more private care, but is allowing more cataract clinics to open.

    cbc.ca

  • The new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will provide $8.5M a year to help support N.B’s agriculture sector. Its aim is to improve competitiveness, innovation and resiliency for the industry.

    thewave.ca

  • According to an annual survey, the employment rate of graduates from the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) has reached a five-year high. The survey reveals that 96% of NBCC’s Class of 2021 were employed more than two years after graduation. Around 93% were employed in N.B.

    thewave.ca

  • Giant Tiger, the Canadian discount store, is planning to open a new location in Saint John at 450 Westmorland Road on November 4. The retailer already operates a store in the city’s uptown and has plans to open five other Atlantic locations.

    nbnewsnow.ca

  • The N.B. government has allocated nearly $45M for wage increases for personal support workers and special care home workers. It is hoped that the $2.50 an-hour increase will help with staffing shortages and retention issues in special care homes.

    globalnews.ca

  • Three levels of government will provide $67M in funding to build a sports and wellness multiplex in Miramichi. Construction is expected to start next year on the facility which will include an arena, gym, walking track, swimming pool, and community space.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-04-14 to 2023-04-20

  • Faced with a shortage of daycare spaces, the YMCA of Greater Saint John is looking to open five new childcare locations in the region. This could add up to 300 spaces over five years, as it takes time to get licensed and building the workforce.

    Telegraph Journal

  • Canada’s national unemployment rate was at 5% in March and a labour boom is being seen across the country. For the first time ever there were eight provinces that had unemployment rates below 6%. The labour participation rate was also a healthy 65.6%.

    theglobeandmail.com

  • The New Brunswick Police Association is critical of the province’s plan to spend an extra $20.5M to hire 80 RCMP officers to address gaps in policing in rural New Brunswick. A labour analyst with the association doesn’t believe it will fix the problem.

    Telegraph Journal

  • Federal staff that belong to the Public Service Alliance of Canada, were walking the picket line on Wednesday after failing to reach a deal with their employer. Striking members include 120,000 Treasury Board and 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency employees.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada have shut down the elver fishery in N.B. and N.S. for 45 days. There were conservation and safety concerns, after reports of violence and overfishing by unauthorized harvesters. Elvers have grown in value in recent years.

    cbc.ca

  • The impending closure of a major Quebec pork plant is expected to impact the pork industry in Atlantic Canada. With no federally regulated hog processor in Atlantic Canada, the closure will cause an oversupply in the Atlantic region.

    cbc.ca

  • Three levels of government have committed $40M in funding to go toward a proposed Riverivew recreation centre. Construction is expected to begin in October and the complex will include a pool, walking track, and a field house.

    cbc.ca

  • Eight nurse navigator positions are being created in a partnership between Horizon and Vitalité Health Networks, who will assist in getting cancer patients the care they need. They will be part of the Cancer Patient Navigation Program.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2023-04-07 to 2023-04-13

  • Joey's Pizza and Pasta, a local restaurant on York Street in Sackville, was destroyed in a fire on Friday. The restaurant has been in operation since 1988.

    cbc.ca

  • The Public Service Alliance of Canada and its roughly 155,000 workers could go on strike by mid-April, if contract negotiations fail. The processing of immigration applications, employment services, and travellers at the airport and border could be impacted.

    thewave.ca

  • A new report from the Royal Bank of Canada states that around 40% of Canadian farm operators are expected to retire over the next decade. It also expects a shortage of 24,000 general farm, nursery and greenhouse workers over that time.

    thewave.ca

  • A $3.5M project is being undertaken to expand the YMCA Glenn Carpenter Centre in Saint John and make it a year-round facility. The facility currently only operates 10 weeks a year and $2.3M will be spent to build a multi-purpose building for various events.

    thewave.ca

  • New Brunswick has launched a new online mapping tool that determines land suitability for farmer’s crops based on the type of soil, topography and depth of ground water. The tool could also help when deciding to use land for housing development or not.

    thewave.ca

  • Décor and furnishings store My City Life is expanding into a new larger location at the Parkway Mall in Saint John. Renovations are underway at the nearly 10,000 ft2 space and the store expects to open on June 1. They plan to expand across the Maritimes.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2023-03-31 to 2023-04-06

  • The N.B. government will provide $500 per hire to eligible restaurants to help fill the roughly 2,500 vacant positions within the province's restaurant industry. Restaurants Canada will administer the funds, which will help with training and advertising.

    Daily Gleaner

  • The Canadian military has a new recruitment program, called the Naval Experience Program (NEP), where you can join on a one-year contract. The program aims to attract civilians to the Navy, streamline enrolment, reduce training time, and develop sailors.

    thewave.ca

  • New Brunswick’s latest budget has allocated $32.6M to add 80 more RCMP officers, along with creating new major case and organized crime teams. A N.B. criminologist states that social services have a much bigger impact on crime rates than police numbers.

    cbc.ca

  • Ren’s Pets opened its 48th pet food location in Saint John on April 1. The chain also intends on opening new locations in St. John’s and Charlottetown later this year. Nine staff were hired to work at the 10,000-square-foot store.

    thewave.ca

  • Ottawa is giving 14% of the Maritime fishery for baby eels (or elvers) to First Nations in N.B. and N.S. without compensating commercial licence holders who could lose millions. The cut will allow the treaty right to fish for a moderate living.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government has increased New Brunswick's immigration allocation by 67% for 2023, with about a third of its 5,500 spaces going to French-speaking immigrants. Additional increases in allocations are expected in both 2024 and 2025.

    Telegraph Journal

  • According to the real estate monitoring firm Zoocasa, Saint John has the most affordable real estate market in Canada. The organization looked at 20 regions across Canada and Saint John’s average home price was $268K, well below the national average of $662K.

    thewave.ca

  • Cooke Inc.’s Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. received environmental approval to build its $72M land-based salmon post-smolt aquaculture facility. Located in Bayside near Saint Andrews, the project will create 340 direct construction jobs and 222 indirect jobs.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2023-03-24 to 2023-03-30

  • The N.B. government has budgeted $96.4M for the public school system next year. A portion of that money will be used to hire more classroom teachers, but its unknown how much will go toward addressing the current shortage of teachers and supply teachers.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian government released a report titled - Developing Greater Labour Protections for Gig Workers. Steps will be taken by the government to update the Canada Labour Code to help people such as self-employed truck drivers, couriers, freelancers, and artists.

    insurancebusinessmag.com

  • A report from the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) shows that not-for-profit CEOs average pay went up by 8.4% in 2022, while senior managers increased 1.2%, and other staff rose 2.0%. Salaries increased the most for those that changed jobs.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Flair Airlines will resume flights out of the Saint John airport this summer, with service to Toronto three days a week. Currently, only Air Canada offers passenger service out of Saint John and it will increase its flights out of the airport this summer.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government is opening up a new immigration stream this summer, which will bring up to 2,000 refugees per year to Canada. The new program will be dedicated to refugees, but will focus on the skills they're bringing to Canada as well.

    Telegraph Journal

  • Billy’s Seafood Company will open a new location at the Container Village in uptown Saint John this summer. The waterfront venue doesn’t have any other seafood vendors and the restaurant will offer take-out to cruise ship passengers and Uptown patrons.

    thewave.ca

  • The Nurses Association of New Brunswick has made changes to speed up the process to recognize credentials of registered nurses from other parts of Canada. Work is also being done to help fast-track international applications, to help address staff shortages.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-03-17 to 2023-03-23

  • The minimum wage for federal workers will increase to $16.65/hr as of April 1. Federally regulated private sector employers include, among others, airlines, banks, grain elevators, telecom companies, and First Nations band councils.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Repsol has decided to cancel its plans to expand its Saint John LNG terminal that would export liquefied natural gas to Europe. The decision could be bad news for the province, which had hoped to revive shale gas development in N.B. and expand its market into Europe.

    cbc.ca

  • New Brunswick will invest $6.87M in an “earn as you learn” program, which will be aimed at the manufacturing sector's labour pool. The work-integrated learning model will be conducted by UNB, NBCC, and UK partner Marshall Skills Academy.

    thewave.ca

  • Pomona Raw Fusion Smoothie Bar will be opening a location this summer at the Container Village on Saint John's waterfront. This will be Pomona’s second location since opening in Bouctouche three years ago.

    charlottefm.ca

  • N.B. contractors say a lack of workers has lead to the turning down of projects and delays in completion. The province’s construction association estimates that there is currently a need for 2000 additional workers and up to 5000 over five years.

    cbc.ca

  • O’Hickey’s Irish Pub has opened in the historical Morrison Building in downtown Fredericton. Although the owner encountered numerous challenges to renovating the building, such as finding materials and having enough labour to complete the work, business has been brisk.

    globalnews.ca

  • Dave Shoots Bookseller will close its shop at 40 Coburg Street in Saint John by the end of 2023. After being in operation for 23 years, the bookstore will transition to an online platform, due to in part to growing input costs, such as higher rent. A number of Maritime used book stores have closed in recent years.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal and N.B. government will invest $800K to help Crosby’s automate its production line and hire a supply chain manager. The company will install a robotic case packer, cartoner and palletizer – which is expected to increase production by 15%.

    charlottefm.ca

  • A new report entitled the Atlantic Canada Momentum Index says that the region is now performing at a level comparable to the national average. Atlantic Canada's growing population has led to greater economic growth, despite contributing to increased housing costs.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-03-10 to 2023-03-16

  • Fredericton council has approved the proposed construction of a 147-unit apartment building at 111 Duncan Lane. Some councillors expressed concern about the lack of public transit and sidewalks in that area.

    cbc.ca

  • U-Haul intends to buy the property at 1382 Hickey Road in order to build a 20,000-square-foot self-storage facility in Saint John. It is estimated that at least 15 temporary construction jobs will be created and will require 10 people to staff the store.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Results from a 2022 national CFIA soil sampling survey show that no potato wart was detected in samples taken from fields in N.S. and N.B. Seed potatoes from P.E.I. are still not allowed in the U.S. after potato wart was found in two fields in 2021.

    charlottefm.ca

  • A Calgary-based low-cost airline, Lynx Air, plans to fly into the Fredericton International Airport beginning on June 12. The airline plans to offer flights into the Calgary International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

    nbnewsnow.ca

  • More than 100 stakeholders have come together to address labour shortages within Canada's agriculture workforce. Canada's agriculture industry contributes over $130B to the national economy, but needs a stable and skilled workforce to remain competitive.

    Other Sources

  • N.B.-based McCain Foods announced that it will spend $600M to expand its potato processing facility in southern Alberta, creating 260 new jobs. McCain has spent $157M over the past five years expanding its two facilities in New Brunswick.

    theglobeandmail.com

  • Work will begin in late March to build a 49-unit apartment building at 50 Technology Drive in Saint John. NextPort Properties is developing the project, which will be called Burlington Flats.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2023-03-03 to 2023-03-09

  • Work has begun to expand the ambulatory care clinic at the Saint John Regional Hospital. The space will be doubled in size to 14,700 ft2 and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2024. The hospital foundation raised $12M for the project.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The N.B. Government is reviving the New Brunswick Housing Corporation in order to address the housing crisis in the province. Fifteen positions will be created at the corporation, which will bring all stakeholders together to tackle the housing situation.

    globalnews.ca

  • Medavie has donated $100K to NBCC’s School of Health and Wellness, which will go into technology to help reach more learners. The school trains lab assistants, personal support workers, pharmacy techs, practical nurses and respiratory therapists.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Layoff notices were issued to about 75 food service workers at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Fredericton. UNB is currently looking for a new company to take over food services, when the current contract with Sodexo Canada ends on May 31.

    cbc.ca

  • West Jet has announced that it will be discontinuing flights between Toronto and Moncton as of April 30, 2023. The airline will begin service from Moncton to both Calgary and Edmonton.

    thewave.ca

  • ESDC has a new Skilled Trades apprenticeship program, which will help small to medium-sized employers to hire first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades. Included are plumbers, gasfitters, refrigeration and A/C mechanics, and steamfitter/pipefitters.

    mechanicalbusiness.com

  • Saint John provided $200K each to four affordable housing projects, through the city’s Affordable Housing Grant Program. The successful recipients were Kaleidoscope Social Impact, Kindred Works, Rehabitat, and Steepleview Developments, Inc.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2023-02-24 to 2023-03-02

  • The $95M Burchill wind farm project in Saint John has eight of its 10 turbines installed, with one already producing electricity. It’s expected that the remaining turbines will be producing electricity in the spring. Global supply chain issues caused delays.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Fredericton’s 12 Neighbours Community, a not-for-profit group that builds tiny homes for the homeless, will receive over $13M in funding to build 60 new tiny homes. The new homes will be 200 square feet and will be built in Fredericton’s north side.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The federal and N.B. government will invest nearly $15M to make improvements and extend the life of the Saint John Harbour Bridge. The bridge is a major trade route for the flow of goods to Saint John, the U.S. and the rest of the Maritimes.

    globalnews.ca

  • The H&M store at McAllister Place mall in Saint John will close at the end of March, after seven years at the location. It is unknown how many staff will be affected, but the clothing store had expected to hire about 40 people when it opened in 2016.

    cbc.ca

  • Insiders within New Brunswick’s film and TV industry state that despite its successes, the sector is faced with labour gaps and needs help to build the infrastructure necessary to attract large, multi-million-dollar productions.

    thewave.ca

  • New Brunswick has reached an agreement with Ottawa, which will see the province receive $3.64B in health-care funding over 10 years, including $900M for a new bilateral agreement. A one-time top-up of $42M will also be issued to address urgent needs.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Three levels of government will invest $36.3M in order to upgrade Moncton’s infrastructure, with more storm sewers, extending its municipal services for its growing downtown, raise its streets to offset rising sea levels, and relocate aerial lines underground.

    canada.ca

  • Atlantic musicians are concerned about proposed changes to increase the cost of temporary work visas from $460 to $1,615. That would triple the cost for Canadian musicians that want to perform in the U.S., on top of their other travelling expenses.

    cbc.ca

  • Miramichi city council has approved a compressed 4-day work week for 20 non-unionized employees as a pilot project, in an attempt to better attract and retain top talent by offering better flexibility. The project will be re-evaluated in August.

    Telegraph Journal

  • New Brunswick unveiled a new $13.3M pilot program designed to help home care workers upgrade their credentials without leaving their job. Personal support workers can upgrade their skillset and become licensed practical nurses (LPNs), whereas LPNs can become registered nurses.

    cbc.ca

  • Saint John's Imperial Theatre will go through a $2.69M retrofit to replace the heating and ventilation system in the 120-year old building. The federal government will provide $2.1M in funding, allowing the theatre to make additional improvements.

    cbc.ca

  • Two Saint John Bakery locations are permanently closed after the landlords changed the locks at the Westmorland Road and Lancaster Plaza properties. The other two locations in City Market and in Grand Bay-Westfield presumably remain temporarily closed.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2023-02-17 to 2023-02-23

  • Over $36M in joint Federal, Provincial and Municipal funding has been allocated to expand and upgrade downtown infrastructure in Moncton. The project will replace aging infrastructure, improve resiliency to the effects of climate change, and prepare for private sector development.

    www2.gnb.ca

  • The N.B. Government has granted conditional designations to Beal University and Oulton College to deliver Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in the province to help address the critical shortage of nurses in the province.

    www2.gnb.ca

  • Doctors living and working within the four Atlantic Provinces will be able to work within the region without additional licensing requirements with the new Atlantic Physicians Registry that is expected to launch on May 1. This will allow the four provinces to draw from a larger pool of specialists to fill gaps.

    cbc.ca

  • Caraquet’s Bolero Shellfish Processing Inc., which processes sea cucumber, has had to suspend this year's sea cucumber season, leaving 89 people without work. The company lost its last supplier to a buyer who ships and processes the product in Asia.

    cbc.ca

  • Ski hill Crabbe Mountain has tripled the size of its lodge through a $1M repayable contribution from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, in anticipation of its role as co-host of the 2023 Canada Winter Games which open on February 18. Sports tournaments have been a big economic draw in recent years.

    today

  • The Government of Canada announced $437.5k in funding to Envirem Organics Inc. to help reduce costs while also reducing its environmental footprint. They specialize in manufacturing organic bio-products for lawn and garden, turf and landscape, organic agriculture and biofuel markets.

    canada.ca

  • Moncton city council has approved $1.6M in funding to replace the Moncton Coliseum’s arena ice plant during the summer of 2023 to extend the rink’s life for years to come. The contract has been awarded to Cimco Refrigeration.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-02-10 to 2023-02-16

  • The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission has had to hire a significant number of new staff to deal with an increased number of complaints, primarily due to COVID-19 issues and housing complaints.

    cbc.ca

  • Moncton’s latest newcomer job fair saw nearly 1,000 job-seekers meet with employers in fields ranging from banking to manufacturing. N.B. is faced with high job vacancies, while immigrants and non-permanent residents now make up about 8.8% of the workforce.

    cbc.ca

  • The owner of Sackville’s Cattail Ridge Family Market will permanently close its market due to fatigue from long hours and high local demand during the pandemic. Two potential attempts to sell the business failed, which supported over 100 small local businesses.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Poley Mountain, a N.B. ski and mountain biking resort near Sussex, has received $95K through the federal government’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF). The money will go towards upgrades and equipment, and help expand its year-round experiences.

    charlottefm.ca

  • A new survey from the CFIB shows that 52% N.S. small business owners and 62% of N.B. owners have pandemic-related debt. In both provinces the average debt level is around $100K, and up to 16% report they are at risk of closure.

    charlottefm.ca

  • ARC Clean Energy reports that its small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) will not match the 450 MWs of electricity created annually by the Belledune coal-fired power station. Belledune must stop burning coal by 2030 and the first SMR will generate 100 MWs.

    cbc.ca

  • Canada’s premiers and territorial leaders have accepted the new federal health care transfer, which will result in the provinces getting an extra $49B over 10 years. The funding will help address priorities like the doctor shortage and surgical backlogs.

    vocm.com

  • A former Roman Catholic church in the south end of Saint John will be converted to a space for artists, non-profits and social entrepreneurs. An affordable housing complex with 38 units will be built on the empty space next to the church.

    cbc.ca

  • Horizon Health reports that improvements have been made to improve ambulance offload delays, an increase in some surgeries, and a reduction in wait time for mental health services. The health network has over 70 improvement projects underway.

    cbc.ca

  • Saint John council has approved the proposed development of Teneo Ventures Ltd. to convert a former daycare into a pharmacy and construct 54 residential units nearby on Dever Road. The residential construction is expected to begin later this year.

    thewave.ca

  • The town of Saint Andrews will contribute $500K towards the construction of a 42-unit apartment building by the end of 2021. The developer states that the lack of housing is impacting businesses, the community college, as well as families and seniors.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Bed Bath & Beyond Canada is closing all 54 stores and 11 buybuy BABY stores including its stores in Fredericton, Moncton, Halifax, Dartmouth, Charlottetown, and St. John’s. The company has nearly 400 full-time and over 1,000 part-time workers.

    cbc.ca

  • ACOA will invest over $876K in Fredericton’s Thermtest Inc., which will help support a marketing strategy, purchase production machinery, and the hiring of a digital business systems analyst. Thermtest will continue to grow in its new 15,000 ft2 HQ facility.

    canada.ca

  • Statistics Canada data shows that one in five properties across much of Canada are owned by investors. N.S. and N.B. have fairly high levels of investor-owned properties, which can make it harder for first-time homeowners to find an affordable home.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-02-03 to 2023-02-09

  • New federal funding is expected to add $229M to New Brunswick’s health-care system this year. Health-care organizations say the priority should be to address recruitment and retention issues.

    globalnews.ca

  • NB Liquor and Cannabis NB report an increase in sales during the third quarter. Cannabis NB sales increased by 5% and its net income jumped by 21.5% to $4.8M. NB Liquor sales rose 1.8% and its net income increased by 9.2% to $54M.

    thewave.ca

  • Fredericton’s Educated Beards has expanded its global reach into Poland and South Africa, and has also invested in new production equipment, which is expected to increase its scale from about 39,000 units per 20 calendar days to about 900,000.

    today

  • The Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick (AANB) has launched a new agricultural job bank on its AgriNB website, to help connect employers with job seekers in New Brunswick. It is hoped the site will help bridge the labour shortage gap.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The city of Miramichi will receive $13.3M in funding, which will go toward 49 housing units over three projects on Waterfront Dr., Wellington and Water Street. Each building will have affordable units and will help vulnerable members of the community.

    cbc.ca

  • W.E. Acres Crabmeal Ltd., a seafood processing plant in Portage, N.B., was totally destroyed in a fire this month. Four workers were in the plant at the time, with two suffering minor burns. The building produces fertilizer and animal feed.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Timay & Fils Garage in Edmundston was destroyed from a fire, which was a challenge to fight due to extremely cold temperatures. It is unknown how many employees are impacted.

    cbc.ca

  • Pisciculture Acadienne, an aquaculture farm in northern N.B. , has lost 95% of its Arctic char after weather caused a power outage at the facility. It took the company two years to build its inventory and has told its five staff it may have to close.

    cbc.ca

  • The N.B. Maple Syrup Association is waiting to hear from the province about its request for additional land, so the industry can increase its production. The maple syrup producers want to expand after having a record-breaking year in 2022.

    charlottefm.ca

  • ArtsLink NB received over $300K in funding to support programs that help artists learn how to develop a successful business. The arts sector contributes almost $550M to the provincial economy and the success of professional artists can lead to more jobs.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2023-01-27 to 2023-02-02

  • The Latin Market opened at 79 Prince Edward Street in Saint John. The store sells authentic ingredients and products from across Latin America. Over 1,000 immigrants from South and Central America have moved to N.B. in the past year.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The N.B. government will transfer $40M over10 years to the province's regional service commissions to fund newcomer retention, as well as economic and labour force development. The funding will allow the commissions to offer more services.

    cbc.ca

  • CMHC’s latest report shows that N.B. added an additional 55,000 apartment units over the past year, although the number of occupied units increased by around 79,000. Demand has risen due in part to higher immigration and students returning to campus.

    thewave.ca

  • NB Power will be offering early retirement for up to 150 employees this spring, as a cost-saving measure which will save the utility $16M a year. The offer extends to those that are at least 58 years of age and are in a non-essential position that will not impact safety or reliability.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • Fredericton issued $257M worth of building permits in 2022, a $70M increase from the previous year, which resulted in 938 new housing units. Only 25% of the units were considered affordable, which the city hopes to improve upon with its 2023 housing affordability plan.

    globalnews.ca

  • Fredericton’s The Nest Yoga studio will open a Saint John location in the spring. Located at 22 King Street, it will have a yoga studio on one floor and various clothing, health and lifestyle retail options on another.

    thewave.ca

  • As Port Saint John’s $205M modernization project nears completion in March and with further expansion plans in the works, more jobs will be created. The average wage among waterfront workers is more than double the living wage, which is considered to be $21.60 per hour.

    Daily Gleaner

  • New Brunswick’s minimum wage will increase to $14.75 per hour on April 1st, making it the highest in Atlantic Canada. About 5.7% of New Brunswick’s workforce or 19,000 people earn minimum wage.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Vitalité Health, which has been faced with a shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners, has had to postpone its 64-hour sexual assault examiner course due to a lack of enrollment among nurses. The Edmundston and Campbellton regions are most in need in N.B.

    cbc.ca

  • Two $25M super post-Panamax industrial cranes arrived at the Saint John port this week. It will take a few weeks to offload the cranes and install them at the port. The cranes should be ready by March, which will allow larger container ships to be unloaded.

    cbc.ca

  • Acadia Broadcasting, which operates 18 licensed radio stations across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario, will layoff 11 staff company-wide. The company states that the consequences of the pandemic and a slow economic recovery led to the decision.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2023-01-20 to 2023-01-26

  • Xenia Housing has received a $500K grant from the Town of Saint Andrews to build a 42-unit apartment complex. There are few local apartment vacancies at the moment and the town's population has grown by 14.8% in the last five years, leading to higher housing costs.

    cbc.ca

  • A recent Chamber of Commerce survey of Moncton businesses reports that a shortage of skilled labour is the main challenge for employers. Other concerns include inflation and rising interest rates, affordable housing for workers, as well as social issues.

    Telegraph Journal

  • Horizon Health is actively recruiting in Quebec to bring more nurses to N.B. amid a shortage of staff. Quebec is ideal because they speak French and English and, with a starting wage as low as $25.80 an hour, N.B.’s hourly wages of $37-$45 an hour is attractive to prospective job seekers.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Saint John Airport is looking to expand with a logistics park, air-related service and manufacturing, freight, light industrial, and air cargo. The full build-out is at least 10 years away and requires approval by the airport’s board of directors.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Fredericton councillors approved a zoning change to allow the construction of a provincial jail in the Vanier Industrial Park. The N.B. government paid the city over $1M for the 25-hectare plot of land to build the facility and create well-paying jobs.

    cbc.ca

  • Canada's airlines are becoming more regional with Air Canada focusing in the east and WestJet focusing on the west (significantly reducing their service in Atlantic Canada). The airlines have cut routes, are looking to improve profits, and creating barriers for competition.

    cbc.ca

  • Saint John Bakery has temporarily closed its four locations, citing labour shortages and increasing costs, which have posed significant challenges to the business. The owner stated that they are trying to sort out their operations.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Saint John is expecting a record-breaking cruise ship season in 2023, with 86 vessels expected to bring almost 200,000 passengers to the port. The cruise ship industry contributes $68M to the Saint John and southern New Brunswick economies.

    charlottefm.ca

  • N.B. data shows that Horizon Health needs to recruit 542 registered nurses, 163 licensed practical nurses and 65 patient care attendants in order to fill vacant positions. Vitalité Health Network, meanwhile, needs 261 registered nurses, 77 licensed practical nurses and 87 patient care attendants.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-01-13 to 2023-01-19

  • RCMP dispatch centres are finding themselves short-staffed, which is increasing the workload and stress for the staff that remain. Starting salaries begin at $56K and top out at $66K. The RCMP will host a virtual career fair on Jan.25 to recruit 9-1-1 operators for Fredericton and Moncton. Operators take emergency calls and are often required to work weekends and holidays.

    Telegraph Journal

  • In 2022 in Kent County, the value of construction permits reached $68,679,100 with a record number of 587 permits issued. In comparison, the value of construction permits was $25.6M in 2019, $38.5M in 2020, and $50M in 2021.

    L'Acadie Nouvelle (capacadie.com)

  • The community of Haut-Madawaska recently launched a promotional video to attract health care professionals. The region is looking for two to three doctors, a nurse practitioner, and eventually, other health care professionals.

    L'Acadie Nouvelle (capacadie.com)

  • Moncton-based cannabis producer Organigram, reported its best quarterly profit ever, when it grossed $13M in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Organigram has the largest share of the cannabis market in the Maritimes and is expanding in Quebec and Ontario.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Saint John will open Atlantic Canada's first Lycée International francophone private school in September 2024. The school will enrol up to 900 students from kindergarten to Grade 12, once fully operational, and will bring 100 faculty from France.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Turner Drake & Partners released its latest rental market survey, which shows that the office vacancy rates rose in Saint John to 19.5% and Fredericton to 18.4%, while Moncton stayed the same at 16.6%. Fredericton had the highest net rent at $14.33/ft2.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Boise Alljoist in Saint-Jacques, N.B., will temporarily lay off 60 employees for at least two weeks, as of January 20. The company manufactures building materials and expects staff to return to work on February 5, depending on the markets.

    Other Sources

  • ACOA and Kognitiv Spark are investing nearly $1M toward establishing the Spatial Computing Education, Training & Research Laboratory (SPECTRAL) at UNB. SPECTRAL will support the aerospace industry and create a pipeline of highly qualified personnel.

    canada.ca

  • A shortage of paramedics and delays in unloading patients in northern N.B. hospitals, has led to more-and-more paramedics coming from Quebec to respond to emergencies in N.B. Some communities impacted include Campbellton, Belledune, Caraquet and Bathurst.

    cbc.ca

  • The N.B. government reports that the world junior hockey tournament brought about $20M in economic activity to the province. Over 100, 000 attended the tournament, hotel bookings increased 40%, and the ExploreNB website saw a 140% increase in activity.

    globalnews.ca

  • The latest forecast from Deloitte is that the Canadian economy will hit a deeper recession and expect inflation to slow down by the end of 2023. Only job losses are expected in construction and transportation, retail trade and information and culture.

    globalnews.ca
• Week of 2023-01-06 to 2023-01-12

  • Economists predict the expected economic slowdown in 2023 may not result in higher levels of gig work, unlike previous recessions where contract work and self-employment spiked. The differences include the tight labour market combined with a changing workforce and lingering inflation.

    citynews.ca

  • New Brunswick produced a record 4.8M Kgs of maple syrup in 2022, maintaining its position as the world’s third largest producer. The N.B. Maple Syrup Association says favourable conditions and new upgrades helped it produce 3.2% more compared to 2021.

    cbc.ca

  • Vitalite Health Network has adopted a new streamlined approach to mental health and addiction services for children, youth and families, resulting in wait list numbers dropping by 66%. Nine social workers were hired to work with nurses and psychologists.

    thewave.ca

  • A new employment outlook survey by ManpowerGroup shows that about 40% of Atlantic Canadian employers are expecting to start 2023 by hiring more staff. Of those surveyed only 16% expect cutbacks and about 40% will keep staffing numbers the same.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Sackville Memorial Hospital has hired five new registered nurses for its ER department, and will need to recruit about four ER physicians and two more registered nurses to resume 24/7 ER services. Staff shortages reduced ER services since June 2021.

    cbc.ca

  • Trevali Mining (N.B.) Ltd. will be placed in receivership later this month, which will see remaining Caribou mine employees terminated. Mining stopped in August and 100 employees were laid off at that time. There are five remaining unionized employees.

    cbc.ca

  • Saint John city council has approved a proposed 65-space daycare on the east side of Saint John. The centre would provide much-needed childcare service, as the nearest daycare centres are three and five kilometres away.

    thewave.ca

  • Fredericton’s Trailway Brewing Company is opening an Uptown Saint John location at 143 Union Street. The Saint John taproom will seat about 50 guests when it opens later in 2023. Trailway bought the property in 2021, but faced post-pandemic delays.

    thewave.ca

  • Developers of the Fundy Quay project in Saint John received city council approval for the second of five buildings to be built along the waterfront. Construction on the second building is expected to begin this summer and will be six stories in height.

    thewave.ca

  • The federal pay centre in Miramichi has hired over 130 staff in recent months to keep up with the increasing size of the public service. There are now 1,100 employees working at the Miramichi pay centre, roughly twice the size of the original workforce.

    Daily Gleaner

  • According to Statistics Canada, the Moncton area grew by 5.3% between July 2021 and July 2022, the fastest growth rate in Canada. Its population now stands at 171, 608. In comparison, Greater Fredericton grew by 3.3% and the Saint John region grew by 2.1%.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2022-12-30 to 2023-01-05

  • Cascabowl’s Fresh Mexican Cantina is opening a new location at 626 Fairville Boulevard in Saint John. The taco and burrito restaurant is expected to open early in 2023.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The employment sites Indeed and Glassdoor have released a report on labour market trends. It forecasts that labour shortages and higher inflation will see workers continuing to demand more pay, remote work options, better benefits, and other initiatives.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A group representing parents state that New Brunswick’s new program to replace French immersion has underestimated the number of teachers required. While the province states it will hire 60 teachers, the group (CPFF NB) estimates that 240 will be needed.

    globalnews.ca

  • Economists are predicting that N.B. will have a rough year in 2023 and expect that recent growth in migration and employment will slow, resulting in more labour shortages. Economic activity is predicted to slow down and unemployment is expected to rise.

    globalnews.ca

  • The Saint John Airport is expecting more flights in the new year, with Flair returning to the airport and Air Canada offering additional daily flights. Swoop, a low-cost carrier, stated that it does not intend to resume service to Saint John in 2023.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Moncton businesses report a boost in sales thanks to World Junior Hockey Championships. The executive director of Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville states that hotels, restaurants, grocers and other retailers are benefiting from the influx of hockey fans.

    cbc.ca

  • Bayside Barbers plan to open a downtown Moncton location in February. The high-end barbershop is looking for experienced barbers to join their team.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The Three Sisters development, a 450-apartment complex being built at 20 Record St in Moncton, is expecting completion of the first tower by September 2023. The developer says that hiring has improved over the past year and has 60 to 80 workers on site.

    today
• Week of 2022-12-23 to 2023-12-29

  • Under new federal government regulations, 20% of all passenger cars, SUVs and trucks sold in Canada in 2026 will need to be electric. This increases to 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales were 5.2% of new car sales in 2021 and 7.2% during the first half of 2022.

    citynews.ca

  • Atlantic Canada's fishing industry faced a challenging year in 2022. Fish harvesters were hit hard when the mackeral and herring fisheries were shut down. Lobster and crab fishermen saw prices drop, fuel prices rise, and Fiona damaged or swept away wharves, fishing gear, and other infrastructure.

    Telegram

  • Statistics Canada states that N.B.’s population grew by 24,935 in 2022 and now has over 820,000 people living in the province as of October 1. Most of the growth has come from international migration and to a lesser extent from inter-provincial migration.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-12-16 to 2022-12-22

  • The town of Riverview has plans for its newly proposed recreation centre, which is estimated to cost about $37M to $45M to build. If approved it is hoped that the centre would open in 2025 and would feature a field house, walking track, and aquatic centre.

    cbc.ca

  • Despite a shortage of health-care workers, medical students are looking outside of Canada to finish their medical studies, with only 10% of students being accepted into a Canadian medical school. Many also go outside Canada for residency opportunities.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Saint John’s UNB campus will receive $38M in funding, which will see the construction of a new Health and Social Innovation Centre. The 65,000 ft2 facility will attract students to the healthcare field, and be a hub for healthcare research and innovation.

    canada.ca

  • NBCC’s Saint John campus will get nearly $46M to go toward expansion and upgrades of the Trades Education Centre. When work is completed in 2-3 years, the skilled trades programs will have the capacity to train 600 students in the trades, up from 356 now.

    thewave.ca

  • Ottawa has announced that public servants will be required to work a hybrid work model, which requires being in the office at least two to three days a week. The new model will be applied to all departments and will come into full effect by March 31, 2023.

    cbc.ca

  • The latest data shows that 833 N.B. seniors are waiting to get into a nursing home, although staff shortages have resulted in 276 beds left vacant. Use of available special care beds, better recruitment, and quicker immigrant accreditation are possible options.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-12-09 to 2022-12-15

  • DND states that over half of recent applicants looking to join the Canadian military, came from permanent residents, following a change on Dec. 5 allowing them to join. The military has been faced with a shortage of personnel, estimated as high as 10,000.

    cbc.ca

  • The redevelopment of Fredericton's Centennial Building is expected to begin in the spring of 2023, after putting the project on hold due to financial issues. The plan is to develop 94 apartments, along with commercial space, and a restaurant.

    cbc.ca

  • Port Saint John reports that roughly 153,000 cruise passengers and 77,000 crew members visited the city in 2022, following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The cruise industry generates about $68M in yearly economic activity in the region.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The N.B. government announced that a $24.9M Provincial Youth Treatment Centre will be built on Salisbury Road in Moncton. Vitalité Health will operate the centre, which is expected to be completed by 2026 and will be staffed by an interdisciplinary team.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Moncton Industrial Development is looking to expand the Moncton Industrial Park West off Berry Mills Road, but will require environmental approval. The sale of land in its industrial parks has been brisk in recent years, with sales of about 100 acres a year.

    cbc.ca

  • After operating in N.S. for 17 years, the Black Business Initiative will officially expand into New Brunswick, with locations in Moncton and Saint John. The non-profit provides development training, technical support, and helps with loans and grants.

    cbc.ca

  • Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics has confirmed that the large cosmetic chain will open a Moncton location tentatively in September 2023. Currently the Maritimes only has locations in Dartmouth and Halifax, N.S.

    today

  • A proposed apartment complex in Fredericton’s south side was approved by the city allowing Gardiner Properties Ltd. to construct a five-storey, 24-unit apartment building at 219-231 Smythe Street.

    cbc.ca

  • Christmas tree farmers have seen inflation cut into their profit margin, due to rising fuel and fertilizer costs, but have seen strong demand. The Canadian Christmas Trees Association states that tree prices have increased by 10-15% in Atlantic Canada.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government released its mineral development strategy and there is a commitment to develop mining projects, as well as new money. Despite the Maritimes' considerable deposits and mining’s high average wages, its share of the real GDP is falling.

    substack.com

  • Opportunities NB is investing up to $4.8M to help IBM create up to 250 jobs at a new client innovation centre in Fredericton. IBM will begin hiring in January and will focus on developing local tech talent, creating jobs, and improving skills training.

    globalnews.ca
• Week of 2022-12-02 to 2022-12-08

  • The federal government is providing $90M in funding for projects that streamline medical credential recognition of internationally trained health workers or provide them with Canadian work experience, with the aim to address labour shortages in the health care sector.

    globalnews.ca

  • The N.B. government will spend $1B on provincial infrastructure next year, including new schools, renovations and additions to health-care centres, redevelopment of the N.B. Museum, roadwork, and the construction of 380 new provincial social housing units.

    cbc.ca

  • The New Brunswick Teachers' Association states that the shortage of teachers and supply teachers in the province’s anglophone schools is unsustainable. Illness and unfilled abscences has impacted student education and caused burnout among teachers.

    cbc.ca

  • The Atlantic Canada Cruise Ship Association states that the region had a strong cruise ship season in 2022, despite the negative impact of Hurricane Fiona. Atlantic Canada saw over 470 ships and over 670,000 passengers visit the region.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The N.B. francophone south school district reports that the teacher absence rate is nearly at 15% and has led to classes being cancelled. The district plans to create a new dispatcher position to contact supply teachers directly the night before.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-11-25 to 2022-12-01

  • The province of New Brunswick has issued request for proposals to build four, 60-bed nursing homes in Bathurst, Bouctouche, Moncton and Oromocto. Developers will need to submit proposals by February 2023.

    cbc.ca

  • The city of Saint John is implementing a 10-year immigration strategy and plans to recruit 12,000 newcomers. Part of the strategy is to improve work opportunities for newcomers, to help retain immigrants that come to the city.

    cbc.ca

  • The New Brunswick Federation of Labour and Unifor are concerned about proposed changes to New Brunswick’s Public Service Labour Relations Act. The unions state that it would allow the use of scab labour in the event of a strike and lead to labour unrest.

    thewave.ca

  • The provincial government will provide a grant of up to $8.2M over four years to Sistema New Brunswick, to assist the free after-school music program to expand further across the province. Career opportunities are listed on Sistema NB’s website.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that there has been a drop of 8% in the area used for farming between 2001 and 2021 across Canada, with the Maritimes showing the biggest decline. Area farmed in N.S. decreased by 28.4%, N.B. was at 28.3%, and P.E.I. at 21.8%.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Canada Summer Jobs program has begun accepting applications for organizations looking for government funding in order to hire youth this summer. Qualified groups can apply up until January 12 and placements will begin in April 2023.

    hrreporter.com

  • The City of Moncton held a job fair as part of its immigration strategy, which attracted 700 newcomers and international students. Over 40 different employers attended and had roughly 1,000 part-time and fulltime positions to be filled.

    Telegraph Journal
• Week of 2022-11-18 to 2022-11-24

  • Toronto-based Kinectrics Inc. has opened an office in Saint John, with the help of $550K in payroll rebates. The company's focus is to grow the nuclear industry in N.B., which could result in as many as 40 new nuclear engineering jobs being created over three years.

    thewave.ca

  • Saint John’s MacKenzie Orthodontics states that it will move into a larger uptown space at 53 King Street next year. The clinic's new space will be three times larger, though the team will not likely expand much from the five people it currently employs.

    thewave.ca

  • New Brunswick seafood company Cooke Aquaculture Inc. has purchased Australian seafood producer Tassal Group Ltd. for $1.5B. Tassal employs 1,700 people and harvests 40,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada’s 7-year public service hiring spree is receiving $2.3B in additional spending that will increase its workforce size to 409,000 jobs within 5 years. Positions being hired include border guards, case managers, military and IT jobs.

    irpp.org

  • An Information and Communications Technology Council report predicts employment in the Canadian digital economy will reach 2.26M by 2025, an increase of 250K jobs. This is despite companies like Meta, Twitter, Microsoft and others currently cutting staff.

    citynews.ca

  • The Pizza Pizza restaurant chain will open new locations at 70 Lansdowne Ave in Saint John, as well as at 176 Hampton Road in Quispamsis this December. The Lansdowne site is still hiring. A third Saint John location is also planned for the summer of 2023.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2022-11-11 to 2022-11-17

  • A lack of daycare spaces for babies is making it harder for New Brunswick mothers to return to work. The N.B. Early Childhood Care and Education Association states that there were over 6,000 babies born in 2020 and roughly 2,000 available licensed spaces.

    cbc.ca

  • The Miramichi Regional Multicultural Association states that its goal of helping newcomers settle in the area is being challenged by the lack of available housing. The low vacancy rate is making it difficult for employers to recruit and hire newcomers.

    cbc.ca

  • The New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) reports that its enrolment grew by more than 8% for the 2022-23 fall term, mainly due to international growth. The NBCC is also trying to recruit more rural and remote learners to get a post-secondary education.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The city of Fredericton has confirmed that the city's new performing arts centre will be built at 580 King Street. Construction is expected to begin as early as fall 2023 and at an estimated cost of about $58M.

    cbc.ca

  • A Fraser Institute study compared average earnings from 2019 between New England and Atlantic Canada, and found a $15K pay difference. New England’s average was $44, 236, while Atlantic Canada’s average was $29, 230 and P.E.I. was the lowest at $26,567.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Purplefarm Genetic, an Ontario company, has bought the Canopy Growth cannabis production facility in Fredericton. Canopy closed in December 2020. The company will open and expand the Fredericton facility, resulting in 70 new jobs once fully operational.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Global Pet Foods is opening a 6,050 square feet flagship store in a new $3M plaza being built at 82 Hampton Road in Rothesay. The store will open in March 2023 and is in the process of filling a number of key positions.

    thewave.ca

  • The Saint John port is faced with a congestion of containers at the container terminal, due to a significant increase in volume at the port. It has caused delays and resulted in some shipping containers sitting idle at the port for over six weeks.

    cbc.ca

  • The Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration officially opened in Dieppe this month, with the goal to increase francophone immigration into Canada. The centre will help to make immigration programs more accessible and support international promotion.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2022-11-04 to 2022-11-10

  • N.B. tourism operators saw a rebound in 2022, with visitor numbers higher than pre-pandemic totals in some areas, but operators still faced with rising costs from inflation and a shortage of labour.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • The federal and New Brunswick governments announced $1.6M in funding to create a non-profit organization called Housing Hub of New Brunswick Inc. The organization will be focused on finding more rural housing and will have four employees.

    cbc.ca

  • The National Farmers Union in New Brunswick is opposed to the government’s request for proposals for potash exploration, due to water concerns and other issues related to mining operations.

    charlottefm.ca

  • A report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business states that farmers are going through a tough time and labour shortages are hurting the sector's growth and productivity. Attracting skilled labour in agriculture is key for its future.

    Other Sources

  • Moncton’s proposed 2023 budget is looking to expand the city’s workforce from 699 full-time positions to over 722 next year. Positions added include bylaw enforcement officers, building inspectors, and snow clearing positions.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-10-28 to 2022-11-03

  • Vitalité Health Network is addressing a shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners by training more starting in February. Recruitment is underway and three nurses are registered. Horizon Health also plans to add seven full-time forensic nurse examiners.

    cbc.ca

  • Two large power poles have been instilled in Saint John that will transmit power from the Burchill Wind Energy Project. The wind farm will employ 100 people during construction, which is expected to be completed this winter, and create about five full-time jobs.

    cbc.ca

  • Atlantic Canada's ocean technology start-up sector has been ranked in the top 10 in a new report on the global blue economy. The Ocean Supercluster, a federal innovation fund, headquartered in St. John's, has approved 70 projects with a total value of over $360M.

    cbc.ca

  • The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association wants the federal government to offer more incentives to get more drivers behind the wheel. It is estimated that there are 28,000 vacancies across the country and it costs up to $12,000 to take driver training.

    globalnews.ca

  • N.B. Power's new solar farm near Shediac is nearly completed and will be the largest solar farm in the province, creating 1.63 megawatts of electricity.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-10-21 to 2022-10-27

  • The Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) recorded a 47% increase in international students, with over 900 of its 2,103 students coming from outside Canada. The CEO of CCNB states that many want to stay in N.B. after graduating.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • The Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training have expanded resources and tools to help high school and post-secondary students in Atlantic Canada with career planning. More information can be found at https://careersatlanticcanada.ca.

    novascotia.ca

  • Saint John’s Brunswick Square will be losing another tenant, with Pizza Hut moving to a new location on Rothesay Avenue. Ten years ago the mall had over 60 businesses, but now has almost 40 vacant storefronts.

    globalnews.ca

  • Emera, parent company of N.S. Power, is pausing spending on the Atlantic Loop following the recent provincial power rate cap legislation. The project would expand the electrical grid connections between Quebec, N.B. and N.S. to provide greater access to renewable electricity.

    cbc.ca

  • GardaWorld armed guards in N.B. and P.E.I. are on strike, with their main concerns being safety protocols and wages. According to the union, the company is moving toward an industry trend of having armed guards work alone, which it considers unsafe.

    globalnews.ca

  • New Brunswick will be offering a French-language training program for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at CCNB’s Campbellton campus in January 2023. Twenty seats will be offered for the 10-week training program and will be at no cost to students.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The New Brunswick government has reached a deal with Beal University in Maine, which will open 100 nursing seats for New Brunswick students starting in 2023. Students will get a $6000 grant in exchange for working in N.B. for at least one year after graduation.

    cbc.ca

  • Vitalité and Horizon Health are both hiring temporary travel nurses to help address the nursing shortage and to provide relief to existing staff. Vitalité reports it only recently turned to travel nurses and Horizon has recruited 296 RNs since April.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-10-14 to 2022-10-20

  • Moncton councillors voted in favour of two proposed subdivisions along Elmwood Drive. Eastgate Village proposes to build 956 residential units, a private school, daycare and a market and the Vineyard is looking to construct housing on 39 acres.

    cbc.ca

  • The New Brunswick Legal Aid Services Commission will be looking to hire at least four new full-time lawyers to deal with child protection cases, due to tighter deadlines to hear cases. Legal Aid may also need to offer more contract work to private lawyers.

    cbc.ca

  • The New Brunswick government is adding four new medical seats to the medical school at Université de Moncton and another four seats will be moved from Quebec to Moncton. The hope is that locally trained doctors will stay in N.B.

    cbc.ca

  • Cooke Inc. has made a major partnership investment in St. Stephen-based Ganong Bros. Limited. Some of the investment will go toward new equipment, and will enable Ganong to increase productivity, grow and expand its global reach.

    thewave.ca

  • Saint John’s Razor Contract Manufacturing will receive over $1.5M in loans and payroll rebates to buy a robotic welder to increase production and hire 29 new employees. Positions needed include welders, draftspeople, logisticians, and quality testers.

    thewave.ca

  • The New Brunswick government will spend $102.2M to create 380 new public housing units over the next four years, as well as renovate another 110 units that are vacant. Its the first construction project in 38 years for government-owned housing.

    cbc.ca

  • The Association of Atlantic Universities says international students have grown by about 3,000 over the last year and account for a lot of the enrolment increases seen at the 16 universities in the Atlantic region.

    globalnews.ca
• Week of 2022-10-07 to 2022-10-13

  • Saint John’s Life Start Training is looking to expand across the Maritimes and set up franchise locations in Fredericton, Halifax, Dartmouth, Truro, Cape Breton, and P.E.I. The New Brunswick-based firm teaches first aid training.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The New Brunswick government has decided that it will operate two youth mental health centres, with one in Campbellton and the other in Moncton. Campbellton has a very stable workforce, while the Moncton location would have better access to resources.

    cbc.ca

  • Vitalité Health Network states that its international recruitment of healthcare workers has gone well. The health network aims to recruit 325 international healthcare workers including RNs, LPNs and patient care attendants by the end of 2023.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Mel’s Tea Room in Sackville has permanently closed after over 70 years in business. The owners of the restaurant suffered losses during the pandemic and then had to close earlier this year when the kitchen ceiling collapsed.

    globalnews.ca

  • The Retiree Employment Agency, which has been in northwestern New Brunswick since 2021, will cover the entire province thanks to a $2.7M grant from the provincial government. The agency has helped 60 retirees return to the workforce.

    Radio-Canada Atlantique (available in French only)

  • The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) says that the shortage of professional drivers represents one of the biggest threats to Canada’s economic recovery. CTA states that Canada needs nearly 30,000 commercial truck drivers.

    trucknews.com

  • A recent C.D. Howe Institute study reports that mothers of young children face more return-to-workforce barriers than a father does. The study also found that the younger the children, the probability of a mother returning to work is even lower.

    Other Sources

  • New Brunswick daycare operators state that demand for spaces in licensed child-care centres has increased greatly since fees were cut in half last spring, causing wait lists to grow. Numerous daycares are looking to expand or build new facilities.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government will temporarily remove the 20-hour cap on November 14, which currently restricts the number of weekly hours that international students can work. The main reason behind the change is to help address labour shortages.

    cbc.ca

  • Saint John’s Exhibition Park Raceway is set to close on December 31, which will end harness racing in the area. It is expected that the closure will have an economic impact on farmers, veterinarians, farriers, and feed stores that service the raceway.

    cbc.ca

  • The Human Development Council states that the living wage, the hourly rate that two working parents must earn to meet basic needs, has increased in N.B. The living wage in Saint John rose to $21.60, Bathurst - $19.20, Moncton - $20.85, and Fredericton - $23.45.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2022-09-30 to 2022-10-06

  • Port Saint John celebrated its 3 millionth cruise passenger and also hit 100,000 TEUs in container volume for the year. The port has been doing some hiring, along with the short-line rail company, Canadian Border Services, and the longshore union.

    cbc.ca

  • Staff at the Green Pig Country Market in Salisbury are back to work after a fire destroyed their main building. The owners, with the help of the community, have set up an outdoor market under a tent and will stay open until Halloween.

    globalnews.ca

  • The New Brunswick government will move 10 medical seats from Memorial University to the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick program, in a bid to help retain N.B. trained physicians. Roughly 60% of medical students trained in province will stay.

    cbc.ca

  • Interfor Corp. has signed a deal to buy New Brunswick’s Chaleur Forest Products for $325M. Chaleur owns sawmill operations in Belledune and Bathurst, N.B. Interfor has recently began an expansion into Eastern Canada.

    globalnews.ca

  • Cty council have decided to demolish the building at 450 Fallsview Drive, that overlooks Reversing Falls in Saint John. The city will seek expressions of business interest to decide best use of the site, which has mainly been used as a restaurant/café.

    thewave.ca

  • The Government of Canada has announced $300M in recovery assistance to Atlantic Canada from Hurricane Fiona after significant damage across the region. The fund is to be managed by ACOA in concert with other federal departments and agencies.

    cbc.ca

  • The number of job vacancies in Canada has reached a new high of over 1M, while the unemployment rate recently hit a record low below 5%. Scarcity of labour is the most common complaint from employers and is happening in virtually every sector of the economy, not just the retail and hospitality sectors.

    Cape Breton Post

  • New research from KPMG LLP Canada found that small businesses are more optimistic and less convinced that the economy is heading into a recession, compared to most Canadian CEOs. About 40% of CEOS have implemented a hiring freeze or looking to downsize.

    Daily Gleaner

  • New Brunswick increased its minimum wage to $13.75 on October 1, making it the highest hourly rate in Atlantic Canada., ahead of N.S. at $13.60 and both N.L and P.E.I. at $13.70. The increase is expected to boost the wages of 40,500 people in N.B.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-09-23 to 2022-09-29

  • Three of New Brunswick’s biggest credit unions will merge into the new Brunswick Credit Union on January 1, 2023. It will be the province’s largest credit union with $870M in assets and will give its staff more opportunity for professional development.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Retirees are coming back to the workforce for various reasons. In Edmundston, the Retiree Employment Agency matched 25 retirees with employers last year, and 65% of the target to match 50 people this year has been reached.

    L'Acadie Nouvelle (capacadie.com)

  • The Maritime Fishermen's Union is asking that the fishing season be extended by a few days, following the loss of about 42,000 lobster traps from post-tropical storm Fiona. There are 388 lobster fishermen in Zone 25, with each using 250 traps at a time.

    cbc.ca

  • The Wellington, a six-storey mixed-use building that’s under construction in uptown Saint John is expected to be completed by February or March of 2023. The project had supply chain issues and was faced with higher material costs.

    thewave.ca

  • The construction phase for the Fundy Quay in Saint John will be ramping up, as work on the seawall nears completion in October. Work will continue through the winter and the whole project should be completed by December 31, 2023.

    thewave.ca

  • Most city employees in Saint John will be able to work a four-day week starting October 17. It won’t apply to staff in public works, the City Market, recreation centres, transit, parking enforcement, Saint John Water and public safety services.

    cbc.ca

  • New Brunswick is expanding its navigator program in a bid to connect more international health-care workers with employers. The program currently works with nurses and will be expanded to include any registered profession including physicians.

    globalnews.ca

  • Construction crews are making progress on the Burchill Wind Energy Project in the Lorneville area of Saint John. The turbines will be mechanically complete by the end of December and Natural Forces expect everything to be complete by February 2023.

    thewave.ca

  • New Brunswick has seen its population increase by 21,663 people in the last year, the most growth in 76 years. The surge is mainly due to newcomers, such as international immigrants and Canadians moving east, with many coming from Ontario.

    cbc.ca

  • A survey from Eckler Ltd. forecasts average salary increases of 4.2% in 2023 across Canada, as we continue to experience a tight labour market and high inflation. This would be the biggest increase in 20 years and would also match actual wage gains in 2022.

    Chronicle Herald
• Week of 2022-09-16 to 2022-09-22

  • According to the latest Employment Outlook Survey released by ManpowerGroup, almost half (49%) of Atlantic Canadian employers plan to hire in the fourth quarter of 2022.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Statistics Canada says wages in Atlantic Canada grew by more than the national rate of 2%, from April to June 2022, but still trails inflation at 7-8%. N.B.’s wages grew by 4.1%, N.L. jumped by 4%, N.S. increased by 3.9%, and P.E.I. rose by 3.3%.

    cbc.ca

  • With demand up 33% at the Sophia Recovery Centre, a facility that offers addiction counselling to women, a third location has been added in Rothesay at 121 Hampton Road. The centre had a staff of five prior to the pandemic and has since expanded to 11.

    cbc.ca

  • Codiac Regional Policing Authority has recommended that 25 more RCMP officers and 18 support staff should be hired. If implemented it could cost over $10M per year. The Moncton region currently employs 147 officers and 79 civilian staff.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that job vacancies hit a record-high last quarter, with almost 1M vacancies across the country. Job vacancies increased in six provinces, including Nova Scotia, but decreased in New Brunswick.

    charlottefm.ca

  • New Brunswick has had hundreds of health-care workers quit since 2021. During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the Vitalité Health has lost 499 health-care workers, with 152 being nurses. Horizon Health has lost 600 health-care workers, with 188 being RNs.

    ctvnews.ca

  • New Brunswick's sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program has seen a drop in the number of nurses in the program. Vitalite has 14 SANE-certified nurses, down from 40 in 2015. Horizon has 26 SANE certified nurses, down from 40 it had last year.

    cbc.ca

  • A fire destroyed the Green Pig Country Market in Salisbury Monday night. The market was an economic backbone for the community and the owner plans to get the business up and running again as it employs more than 40 people.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-09-09 to 2022-09-15

  • Council have approved a proposed subdivision, Rothesay Hills, to be built by MR Investments. The first phase will see 14 homes built in the area of Dunedin Road and Higginson Avenue. Construction will take 3-4 years.

    thewave.ca

  • According to N.B.’s tourism minister, the number of visitors to the province this summer has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels. It is expected that the fall tourism season will continue to be strong, particularly with travellers from Ontario and Quebec.

    charlottefm.ca

  • A review of New Brunswick’s three Employment Insurance economic regions for 2019-20 shows that the region covering the entire north and eastern shore of the province had 46,990 E.I. claimants. The southern region including Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton had 27, 810 claimants, and the western region had 14,580 E.I. claimants.

    Daily Gleaner

  • The New Brunswick Teachers’ Association says the province is still faced with a shortage of teachers, especially in rural areas and particularly for teachers who teach French as a second language.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2022-09-02 to 2022-09-08

  • A new report by Statistics Canada found that N.S. has the highest undergraduate tuition in the country, amounting to $9,328 for the 2022/23 academic year. N.B.’s tuition was the third highest at $8,284, while N.L. had the second lowest tuition at $3,400.

    globalnews.ca

  • Cannabis NB is conducting a public tender process to select 10 private retail store locations across the province, who will sell Cannabis NB products. The stores will be located in underserved areas and will be privately owned and operated.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The N.B. Teachers' Association says that the province needs to focus on hiring new grads earlier and to offer incentives to attract teachers to rural areas. Some school districts are still hiring and are starting the year without certified teachers.

    cbc.ca

  • New Brunswick restaurants are concerned that as post-secondary students head back to school, the current labour shortage could become worse. Numerous restaurants have already cut hours in response, while some are raising wages and offering incentives.

    globalnews.ca

  • New Brunswick will allow emergency medical technicians (EMT) back to work on ambulances for non-urgent transports starting in 2023. EMTs receive nine weeks of training, compared to 50 weeks for a paramedic, but are needed to help bolster the workforce.

    cbc.ca

  • ORLEN Upstream Canada Ltd. is going through the process to decommission 44 oil and gas wells in the Moncton region. Although some wells still produce crude oil that get sent to the Saint John refinery, the wells have insufficient production and limited potential.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction will begin this fall on a 582-unit development in Fredericton's southwest area along Serenity Lane. Gorham Real Estate will construct eight townhouses and nine apartment buildings over a 10-year project, with at least 10% being affordable.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-08-26 to 2022-09-01

  • New Brunswick’s graduate nurses will be allowed to write the Quebec nursing entry exam in order to become fully licensed. According to the Health Minister the new licensing pathway will help New Brunswick recruit and retain health-care workers.

    globalnews.ca

  • Université de Moncton students are faced with a shortage of affordable housing, with all campus residences full and 120 students on wait lists. International students are impacted the most because they don’t often have local friends or relatives.

    cbc.ca

  • Quebec-based Couche-Tard will sell some properties as part of its deal to acquire Wilsons network of gas stations, in order to resolve the concerns of the Competition Bureau. Couche-Tard will sell 46 Wilsons sites across Atlantic Canada.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Wendy's restaurant locations across N.B. are offering various incentives in an attempt to hire and retain workers. Incentives vary by franchise, including $300 signing bonuses, referral bonuses, attendance bonuses, and pay above minimum wage.

    Telegraph Journal

  • CIBC is expanding its operations in N.B. and plans to create more than 200 full-time contact centre positions over the next three years. The bank will be eligible for a $1.5M payroll rebate through Opportunities NB. Most of the new staff will work from home.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Property Guys have launched a new rental platform, which will allow landlords to attract qualified renters and reach a wider audience. The platform will help landlords through all aspects of the rental process and ensure legitimate rental properties for tenants.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The federal government will invest over $28M in the Apprenticeship START Plus Project, with the goal to hire 5,200 first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades over two years. Funding will go to small and medium-sized enterprises across Atlantic Canada.

    canada.ca

  • A spokesperson for District scolaire francophone Sud says that their district is still in need of staff, especially in Fredericton, Saint John and Saint-Louis. Positions needed to be filled include 15 teachers, mainly in Saint John, and 17 bus drivers.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • McDonald's restaurants across New Brunswick are on a hiring spree to hire 500 new employees for this fall season, including 120 in Moncton, 50 in Saint John and 65 in Fredericton. Recruiting is key in the fall because so many crew members return to school.

    Telegraph Journal

  • According to the 2021 National Physicians Health Survey, over 50% of Canadian doctors surveyed are experiencing burnout and nearly half are looking to reduce their workload. The provincial medical society states that the results are similar for N.B.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-08-19 to 2022-08-25

  • The Forest Products Association of Canada says the industry needs improvement in rail service to address supply chain challenges, however ForestNB states that trucking is its biggest issue. New Brunswick needs more trucks and drivers to move its product, and is faced with a labour shortage.

    Miramichi Leader

  • The Government of Canada has announced over $3.7M to Digital Nova Scotia for their Skills for Hire Atlantic project that will provide tech industry skills training for 1500 participants across the four Atlantic provinces.

    canada.ca

  • The closure of the Caribou Mine near Bathurst is also impacting contractors that dealt with the mine. N.B.-based Pabineau Trucking will have to layoff 7-10 truck drivers and has outstanding invoices as well. The mine did business with about 80 contractors.

    Telegraph Journal

  • The Belledune Port Authority has signed a deal with a German port to develop a commercial hydrogen production facility, with plans to begin production in 2027. The port has storage capacity and pipelines that are favorable for hydrogen production.

    thewave.ca

  • According to Statistics Canada data, workers have shifted from jobs in the service and food industries to potentially more lucrative fields such as tech, finance and real estate. The tightening labour market has resulted in staff shortages as workers leave certain fields.

    cbc.ca

  • TransAqua's sewage composting facility in Moncton is looking to expand its facility in order to address smell complaints. The facility composts biosolids from its wastewater plant, which has increased in volume. The work if approved could cost over $1M.

    cbc.ca

  • Horizon Health Network reports that it has recruited 1,300 health care workers since April 1, including 240 RNs, 163 LPNs, 288 personal care attendants, and hundreds of other health and support service workers. Horizon still has hundreds of positions to fill.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The Caribou Mine near Bathurst, which recently suspended operations, has been granted creditor protection. The mine will be put on a care and maintenance program, requiring just environmental compliance and general maintenance employees at the site.

    cbc.ca

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada has reduced herring quotas in the Maritimes and Quebec from 12,000 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes. The allowable catch in 2020 was 22,500 tonnes and is being further reduced in an effort to increase the stock population.

    cbc.ca

  • The Saint John Theatre Company expects to begin work on the $17.9M Sydney Street courthouse project in the spring of 2023. The building will be expanded from 10,000 ft2 to 25,000 ft2, will include a 220+ seat theatre, box office, café, and other usable space.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that retail sales across the country increased by 1.1% in June. Gas stations led the way at 6.2%, while clothing stores and auto dealers' sales rose 1.8%. P.E.I.’s retail sales climbed 1.0%, while retail sales remained unchanged in N.B.

    charlottefm.ca

  • About 250 southeastern New Brunswick lobster fishermen have halted fishing and could stop altogether if lobster prices don’t go up. Fishermen are faced with higher expenses this year and lobster prices are almost 40% lower than last year, when they got $7 a pound.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-08-12 to 2022-08-18

  • Moncton’s Georges Dumont Hospital will be the primary laboratory as the province merges its hospital lab testing system. The move will help address an expected shortage of laboratory staff. Some lab services will still take place at local hospitals.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reports that 54% of business owners have revenue below pre-pandemic levels and more than one in six are considering going out of business. Issues include pandemic-related debt and supply chain issues.

    www.msn.com

  • The city of Moncton and J. N. Lafford Realty are looking to sign the city's first bonus zoning agreement, which would allow the construction of 76 apartments on Highlandview Rd. Density bonusing allows larger buildings to be built if they include affordable units.

    cbc.ca

  • A new report by Turner Drake states that demand for office space is down across most major Atlantic Canadian cities, except for Halifax. Many businesses are utilizing a hybrid office model that involves working from home and the office.

    thewave.ca

  • The Caribou Mine near Bathurst, has suspended operations due to low productivity rates and a 44% drop in revenue. The mine, which extracts zinc, lead and silver, employs over 200 people. The owner - Trevali Mining Corp. didn’t say how many layoffs were made.

    cbc.ca

  • New Brunswick’s Cooke Aquaculture is making a $1.1B bid to take over Australian seafood company Tassal Group Ltd. Besides expanding globally, Cooke will also invest over $300M in Atlantic Canada over the next five years, with expansion and technology investments.

    thewave.ca

  • The Direct Sellers Association of Canada (DSA Canada) released research that shows that inflation has pushed almost two out of three Canadians to seek extra income. Those surveyed ranged in age from 18 to 44 and involved 1,500 participants.

    thewave.ca

  • A shortage of teachers and certified substitutes to fill in for them, has emerged as a major disruption to Canadian classrooms during the pandemic and is expected to continue this fall. Certification delays for some Canadian teaching grads are one issue.

    cbc.ca

  • New Brunswick paramedics say that waiting to offload patients at hospitals is a problem that is getting worse. Ambulances can be stuck at a hospital for hours, waiting for their patient to be transferred and are unable to be dispatched to another call.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-08-05 to 2022-08-11

  • The New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions states that, due to staffing shortages, there are 295 vacant beds in the nursing homes it represents. There are 382 people in hospitals waiting to be moved to a bed in a nursing home or long-term care facility.

    globalnews.ca

  • All EV Canada will open a new electric vehicle dealership in September at 711 Ferdinand Blvd in Dieppe. This will be their fifth location in Atlantic Canada, which will sell pre-owned electric vehicles and will offer vehicle maintenance as well.

    thewave.ca

  • The Café Inclusio has opened its first in-person café in Dieppe’s historic Doiron House. The café provides job opportunities to adults with intellectual and developmental challenges. Additional employees will soon be hired and provided with specific training.

    globalnews.ca

  • The U.S. Commerce Department has lowered U.S. softwood duties, which will see the rate of most N.B. lumber mills drop from 17.9% to 8.59%. J.D. Irving’s rate will go from 15% to 14%, due to an increase in the anti-dumping duty that only applies to Irving.

    cbc.ca

  • The town of Dalhousie is cleaning up the remnants of its industrial past, and is investing in tourism, arts and culture. Dalhousie wants to develop its prime waterfront property for recreation and housing, but needs to demolish the old tank farm and fuel pipeline first.

    cbc.ca

  • Hammond River Brewing Company in southern New Brunswick has managed to get its product into Saskatchewan Liquor stores. The brewery is also looking to start work next month on a new 1,200 ft2 taproom in the East Point Shopping Center in Saint John.

    thewave.ca

  • Demand for housing in Saint John has hit record levels and figures released by Envision Saint John show 318 housing starts from January to June 2022. The region had only 177 housing starts for the same period in 2021. The number of active house listings still remains low.

    globalnews.ca

  • Cannabis NB reports it made $4.1M in net income for its last quarter, compared to $3.5M for the same period last year. The agency credits favourable product pricing and reports higher volume of product sold.

    thewave.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that nurses across Canada are doing more overtime than ever to address staffing shortages, and is driving some away from full-time work. The proportion of nurses working OT in N.S. and N.B. is especially high, with most nurses experiencing burnout.

    cbc.ca

  • N.B.’s Tourism Minister says businesses are seeing higher-than-usual traffic this summer, but tourism activity is still below 2019 levels. Rural tourism operators have been hit hard, but the labour shortage, higher staffing costs, and inflation has impacted all operators.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-07-29 to 2022-08-04

  • Sephora will hold its grand opening on August 12 for its newest location at McAllister Place in Saint John. This will be Sephora’s third New Brunswick location, with stores also in Dieppe and Fredericton.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association states that the industry is still faced with a lot of challenges. A lack of truckers, high fuel costs, supply issues with trucking equipment, and COVID-19 restrictions are all creating stress in the industry.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Schindler Elevator Corporation has expanded its presence in Atlantic Canada with the acquisition of Quispamsis-based Ascension Elevating Devices Ltd. (AED). AED’s focus is mainly on elevator modernization, service, and repairs within the Maritimes.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports that small business confidence has fallen for the fourth month in a row. Businesses are faced with rising costs and wages, with 20% planning to hire in the next three months and 17% look to layoff staff.

    charlottefm.ca

  • A doctor who studied in India and that resides in Quispamsis is unable to practise medicine in New Brunswick, because the province lacks an independent assessment centre for international doctors who aren't recruited by hospitals. Seven provinces across Canada offer the assessment program.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • New Brunswick is working with the federal government to have more control over choosing newcomers that immigrate to the province through the Provincial Nominee Program. The hope is to increase the number of skilled workers with the required skills, education and work experience needed. N.B. has a backlog of about 8,000 permanent residence applicants.

    Telegraph Journal

  • ProcedureFlow, a Saint John-based technology company, announced that it has raised $11.8M in investments. The funding will allow the firm to broaden its sales territories, as well as expand its exports of products and services.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Cannabis NB is in the process of expanding its network of stores, and recently opened a new store in Grand Falls on July 18. Other locations are being assessed and Cannabis NB is exploring private retail opportunities.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2022-07-22 to 2022-07-28

  • The former Church of St. John the Baptist at 58 Broad Street in Saint John’s south end is set to become an Entrepreneurship Centre. Kaleidoscope, a social impact and development organization, describes the renovations required as a multi-year project.

    thewave.ca

  • The provincial and federal governments will provide over $8M in funding to go toward the planning phase of the New Brunswick Museum revitalization project. The province is working to find a permanent home for the museum in Saint John soon.

    charlottefm.ca

  • New Brunswick’s premier says that the federal government has pledged its support for a LNG export terminal in Saint John. The energy giant Repsol, has existing permits from their last attempt to build a terminal. Ottawa is exploring energy solutions to aid Germany amid Russia's war on Ukraine.

    Telegraph Journal

  • Popeye’s restaurant will open its second Atlantic Canadian location at the former 3Mile Steak and Rib House site in Saint John. The east Saint John site location is scheduled to open in 2023. Popeye’s previously opened a Halifax location in March 2022.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Ability NB has received almost $1M in funding for its Accessible NB program. The money will allow three additional designated staffers to be hired to conduct accessibility reviews. Removing barriers helps improve the employability of persons with a disability.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Port Saint John is projecting strong growth in container volumes over the next year or two. New harbour infrastructure has driven growth, as well as the port's partnership with DP World and CP Rail. The container terminal and the port authority are hiring as well.

    cbc.ca

  • N.B.'s maple syrup industry wants the province to impose a moratorium on logging in areas where there is a large percentage of sugar maple trees. The industry is also awaiting a decision on its request to use another 12,000 hectares to expand its syrup production.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-07-15 to 2022-07-21

  • Nackawic, historically a forestry town, is now trying to attract tourists to the area with a brand new marina with boat slips, docks, gift shop, clubhouse, and kayak rentals. It’s part of a $2M plan to diversify the economy beyond its pulp mill.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Moncton is feeling the effects of the labour shortage with over 50 job openings to fill. Positions to staff include bus operators, financial analysts, and 911 operators. The number of candidates applying is smaller and competition for talent is tight.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • Finding housing for new workers in rural New Brunswick is an ongoing challenge. The owner of Mrs. Dunster's bakery in Sussex has bought three local homes to house his workers. The bakery needs 40 to 50 people a year to fill bakery jobs over the next few years.

    Telegraph Journal

  • Bert's Music shop on Roseberry Street in Campbellton is up for sale after 40 years in business. The establishment is a full-service music store that handles guitar repairs, as well as selling various musical instruments, sheet music, and sound systems.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government has awarded $18.6M in funding to construct the Awitgati Longhouse and Cultural Centre on Union Street in Fredericton's north side. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2023.

    Telegraph Journal

  • Maintenance work at the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station is a month behind schedule, but is expected to be back in service next week. NB Power reports work delays due to supply chain issues and availability of skilled labour.

    cbc.ca

  • Mount Allison University has signed two collective agreements that will run until 2025. The new agreementds will cover 145 employees in clerical, secretarial, and technical positions, and 75 staff in custodial, grounds, trades and security positions.

    Telegraph Journal

  • Port Saint John and the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees have agreed to a new four-year collective agreement. The deal will result in increased wages and allowance, as well as better overtime hours.

    thewave.ca

  • Cannabis company Organigram reports a $2.8M loss in its latest quarter, while its gross revenue increased 90% from a year ago. The company reported a record net revenue of $38.1M thanks to new product listings, increased retail sales and international shipments.

    globalnews.ca

  • The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council have released new research that shows Indigenous youth employment outcomes have improved in recent years, but still lag non-Indigenous youth and closing this gap is key to easing the region's labour shortage.

    citynews.ca

  • The federal government has announced $340k to improve services for Atlantic Canada LGBTQ tourists via a market-readiness program that includes staff inclusion training, destination auditing to ensure inclusivity and a business certification program.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-07-08 to 2022-07-14

  • A new Teen Apprenticeship Program will see 19 N.B. high school students from three francophone school districts, matched with a business in their community. These pre-apprenticeship students will acquire practical skilled trade experience through paid work terms.

    www2.gnb.ca

  • Cedar Rose Beauty plans to open a second salon at 84 King Street in uptown Saint John this summer. The salon will offer hairstyling and esthetics services and plan to start with five stylists.

    thewave.ca

  • The N.B. Real Estate Association reports that there were 1,270 homes sold across N.B. in June, a 3.7% drop from June 2021. Home sales decreased in the Moncton area by 3.1%, Saint John dipped 3.0%, and Fredericton dropped 10.8%, while sales increased in northern N.B.

    cbc.ca

  • New Brunswick-based Shoreland Transport has acquired Nova Scotia-based Connors Transfer Limited. Shoreland primarily moves fresh salmon and seafood products, while Connors deals more in food retail and agri-food. The deal will see Shoreland add 200 new staff.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Irving Oil is buying a five-megawatt hydrogen electrolyzer at its Saint John refinery, allowing it to expand its hydrogen capacity and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. The goal is to offer hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in Atlantic Canada.

    cbc.ca

  • A court has approved Sundial Growers Inc. "stalking horse bid" for assets of Zenabis Global, which includes the Atholville cannabis facility. Other companies will have until Oct. 28 to beat Sundial’s bid. The Atholville facility will continue operating, with no more layoffs planned.

    infomedia.gc.ca
• Week of 2022-07-01 to 2022-07-07

  • New Brunswick announced that it will reform its timber royalty system, which will take effect on April 1, 2023. In the interim, the price of wood from Crown lands will be increased by about $10 per cubic metre. The new system will account for commodity prices.

    globalnews.ca

  • Saint John firefighters have voted in favour of a new four-year collective agreement. The deal will see firefighters get a 2.1% increase per year, retroactive to January 2020, as well as return-to-work process enhancements and changes to long-term disability.

    thewave.ca

  • According to Statistics Canada, the average age of a farmer in New Brunswick is 57 and 90% of N.B. have no succession plan. It can be difficult for young people to get into farming due to the large up-front capital costs and lack of support help.

    cbc.ca

  • Fundy National Park will close its pool for two days a week, due to a shortage of lifeguard staff. A shortage of lifeguards extends across N.B. and the rest of Canada, as the pandemic reduced training hours and has resulted in fewer qualified staff to hire.

    thewave.ca

  • Saint John has approved a 50% jump in taxi rates, which will see fares increase from $1.10 to $1.65 per kilometre. Taxi drivers report hard times in the past few years, with rising gas prices and other expenses, and have seen some drivers leaving the industry.

    cbc.ca

  • Health-care labour shortages are being felt across the Maritimes, with hospitals closing E.R.’s as staff take summer vacations. In N.B., Horizon Health has hired 11 retirees and 180 nursing students and Vitalité Health has hired 200 nursing students in recent months.

    citynews.ca
• Week of 2022-06-24 to 2022-06-30

  • N.B. support workers at early learning and childcare facilities will get a pay increase on August 1, which is hoped to improve recruitment and retention. Trained inclusion support workers will be paid $23.47/hour, while untrained support workers will be paid $16.90.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • Saint John council has approved a proposed development by Mike Cavanagh Homes to build two buildings with 95 residential units and ground level commercial space. The site at 990 Fairville Boulevard in Saint John will need to be rezoned to proceed.

    thewave.ca

  • PeakForm Health and Safety Academy has expanded its virtual-based caregiver training program to include Personal Support Worker curriculum to help address N.B.’s caregiver labour shortage. PeakForm trained over 500 students in 2021.

    thewave.ca

  • Construction estimates for the new Fredericton performing arts centre has jumped to $58.3M. Costs have gone up due to inflation, as well as rising material and labour costs. Construction for the arts centre is set to begin in 2023 and will have two theatres.

    cbc.ca

  • According to a Dept. of Health spokesperson, there are 181 doctor vacancies in New Brunswick as of May, most being specialist positions. Across the province there are 783 registered nurse vacancies, while there are 63,000 people on the primary care wait list.

    cbc.ca

  • A number of N.B. businesses are being impacted by a global shortage of hot peppers and spices. Fredericton-based Spicy Boys have had to halt some sauce production and Jamaican food vendor Cook Wi A Cook had to pull some menu items due to shortages.

    cbc.ca

  • Natoaganeg First Nation and Miramichi are entering a year-long partnership to develop joint community economic development. This partnership is the first of its kind in New Brunswick and is part of the federally-funded Community Economic Development Initiative.

    cbc.ca

  • The village of Atholville is organizing a recruitment and job fair event in partnership with WorkingNB, on July 7, in the hope of helping laid off workers with HEXO Corp. The marijuana-growing operation laid off 142 employees on June 15.

    Telegraph Journal

  • The Saint John Firefighters Association have reached a tentative collective agreement with the city. No details will be released until the agreement is ratified. The firefighters have been without a contract since 2019.

    thewave.ca

  • Air Canada has cut a number of Moncton and Bathurst flights due to a shortage of staff at the Toronto Pearson Airport. The flight reductions are expected to be temporary and last into August. Moncton will drop 30 flights in July and Bathurst will drop 15 flights.

    cbc.ca

  • A Saint John contractor who launched Wee Bitty Builders in 2017 is booked solid building tiny homes for buyers in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The company recently moved to a 5,000-square-foot warehouse on Ashburn Lake Road and employs a staff of eight.

    thewave.ca

  • N.B’s health plan is moving toward a primary health-care centre where you have access to not just a physician, but also a nurse, nurse practitioners, dietitians or social worker. The province currently has a high proportion of solo doctor practices.

    cbc.ca

  • New Brunswick has launched a new program called the Invitation Funding Initiative, which provides funding for new festivals and events or enhancement of existing events. Applicants can receive up to $25,000 to help attract more visitors.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2022-06-17 to 2022-06-23

  • Alberta-based Sundial Growers Inc. will make the first bid on assets of Zenabis Global Inc., which includes a cannabis facility in Atholville, N.B. Zenabis recently filed for bankruptcy protection. Sundial’s move is positioned to keep the Atholville facility in business.

    Telegraph Journal

  • The Francophone South School District is facing new challenges as it prepares for classes in September, such as integrating young Ukrainian refugees and staff shortages. A shortage of supply teachers and bus drivers continues to be a problem it faces.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • J's Asian Kitchen, a Fredericton restaurant with two locations, is cutting hours at both locations due to staff shortages. The owner states that recent changes to the provincial immigration program will result in three or four staff members leaving when their visas end.

    Daily Gleaner

  • Moncton's planning committee has approved a proposed $7.5M six-floor mixed-use building to be built on downtown land near Robinson Court. The developer, Galco Atlantic Investments, intends to start as soon as possible and complete work in 2024.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government cut the herring quota off southwestern N.S. and N.B. by 33% as a measure intended to protect the depleted forage fish. The herring fishery is valued at $140M annually and supports 1,000 direct and indirect jobs between both provinces.

    cbc.ca

  • Moncton city council has approved the sale of a vacant property at 1299 Main Street to a developer who is proposing to build a nine-storey mixed-use building on the site. The plan is to have ground-floor commercial space and 147 residential units.

    cbc.ca

  • An Angus Reid survey found that 54% of older Canadians have delayed retirement due to high inflation and rising cost of living expenses. The survey also found that 63% were worried that they could never retire and 71% are concerned that they could run out of money after retiring.

    Daily Gleaner

  • N.B.-based company, Cooke Inc., is expanding its head office operations by moving into 11,000 ft2 of space located at One Germain Street in Saint John. Cooke has also been hiring many IT, enterprise resource planning and administrative positions as it grows.

    thewave.ca

  • The Saint John Bakery opened its doors on June 22, at the Saint John City Market. The city market location is a retail location as well as a full-production facility for its other bakeries in Grand Bay-Westfield, East Saint John and West Saint John.

    thewave.ca

  • According to the New Brunswick Seniors' Advocate, N.B. has one of the oldest populations in the country and the number of seniors is expected to double in the next 20 years. There is concern about how the aging population will impact healthcare and the long-term care system.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • Italic Press, a Toronto-based digital printing company, has opened a second facility at the Saint John airport industrial park. The company creates high-value communication pieces and has already trained staff in Saint John.

    thewave.ca

  • Over 100 employers in the Edmundston area are using the local Retiree Employment Agency to help address the labour shortage. The agency pairs employers with about 80 retirees interested in working and has offices in Grand Falls, Edmundston and Haut-Madawaska.

    cbc.ca

  • ACOA will provide $1M in funding to the Memorial Cup organizers, which will cover the cost of wifi and press box upgrades at TD Station, a new ball hockey rink next door and other improvements. The city is expecting various economic spinoffs from hosting the event.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will allow tuna fishermen in Atlantic Canada to catch up to 20 mackerel a day to use as live bait, despite the recent moratorium imposed. It will apply to charters and commercial tuna fishing that use rod and reel.

    cbc.ca

  • An eight-court indoor tennis facility is being planned for UNB’s Saint John campus, which is estimated to cost between $15-$20M. Construction of the Fundy Region Tennis Centre is scheduled to start in 2023 and will be run as a not-for-profit organization.

    charlottefm.ca
• Week of 2022-06-10 to 2022-06-16

  • The McKenna Institute and IBM Canada are forming a partnership with the plan to upskill 40,000 New Brunswickers over the next five years. The aim is to provide education and career readiness in order to fill a tech skills gap for hundreds of available jobs.

    thewave.ca

  • Hexo, formerly called Zenabis, will lay off 142 workers at its Atholville plant. The northern New Brunswick cannabis producer employed 475 people two years ago, but now just has 108 staff. The mayor says a glutted cannabis market is struggling with black market sales.

    cbc.ca

  • The Anglophone South School District has laid off 29 school intervention workers and will only keep two positions in place for the entire district. The money saved from these cuts will be used to fund 36 educational assistant (EA) positions instead.

    cbc.ca

  • DP World has announced that it will make a large investment in technology and assets in its container terminal at Port Saint John. Two additional quay cranes will be bought that can handle ships of up to about 10,000 TEUs, along with other upgrades.

    charlottefm.ca

  • A UNB economics professor says N.B.’s unemployed range from newcomers whose credentials are not being recognized, to youth lacking job experience, to rural residents with limited job opportunities. A Moncton-based recruiting firm says it sees plenty of jobs in accounting, administrative and office support positions.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • Labour shortages continue to impact many industries across New Brunswick, despite the nearly 16,000 vacant jobs in New Brunswick as of March. Low wages, the rising cost of living, and workers striving to have work-life balance are employment challenges.

    globalnews.ca

  • Chaleur Ventus Project, a proposed wind farm project for the coastal community of Anse-Bleue, will not proceed. Local residents were opposed to the wind farm from the start. The project would have consisted of five wind turbines and powered about 9,000 homes.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that N.B.’s unemployment rate was at 7.1% in May, nearly an all-time low. The province has 13,500 more full-time employed people compared to last year, but the construction and hospitality industries are struggling to find workers.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the N.B. government’s new five-year air sector strategy, the province wants to grow air passenger service in the province. The government has committed $4M to develop new routes and to make a business case to potential airlines.

    cbc.ca

  • eVisitNB has cut its registration hours in half, which has reduced cancellations. Service hours for virtual medical care have stayed the same and provide care to about 250-300 patients a day, utilizing about 75 nurse practitioners and 25 family doctors.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Saint John and the Saint John Local Immigration Partnership have launched a campaign highlighting the value of immigrants as experienced and skilled professionals. The hope is that more newcomers will get matched with local employers.

    thewave.ca
• Week of 2022-06-03 to 2022-06-09

  • A report issued by the Parliamentary Budget Officer says that while inflation has more than doubled the increase in average hourly wages in the past year, income grew faster than inflation prior to the pandemic. In May inflation was at 6.8%, while the average wage increase was 3.3%.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • The New Brunswick government has paused its express entry immigration stream, due to a surge in applications. The province has already received 3,000 applications and wants to focus on priority areas, such as internationally-educated health professionals and students.

    cbc.ca

  • Recent changes to the Express Entry program in N.B. has suspended foreign workers such as Food Supervisors, Food Attendants, and Food Servers from qualifying for the program. Many N.B. restaurants are faced with a labour shortage and depend on foreign workers.

    Telegraph Journal

  • First Light Distillery will have its grand opening on June 11 at its location on 73 Fairway Drive in the southwest area of Fredericton. There are two buildings on site, one houses the distillery and the other has a tasting room that can accommodate 195 people.

    today

  • The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reports that New Brunswick is no longer the cheapest place in Canada to buy a house. The benchmark price of a New Brunswick home in April was $313, 700, compared to Saskatchewan at $295,000.

    cbc.ca

  • The provincial government will invest $480K to purchase training simulators at Port Saint John. The simulators will be used by the Port of Saint John Employers Association to train new employees and ensure its skilled workforce gets required training.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The permanent Area 506 Waterfront Container Village will open on the Saint John waterfront on June 9. The village is comprised of 54 shipping containers that will feature retail shops, a bar, food trucks, a performance space, and more.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Experts state that 40% of work in Canada can be done remotely, while the other 60% are required to work on-site. Remote workers tend to be knowledge-based such as accountants, lawyers and tech workers. Recruiting remote workers allows for a bigger talent pool.

    cp24.com

  • The federal government will spend $55M to connect 11,000 rural N.B. households to high speed internet. Toronto-based Rogers Communications Inc. and Woodstock-based Xplornet Communications Inc. will receive the funding and spend additional money of their own.

    cbc.ca

  • The Riverview Animal Hospital will close its general practice to focus on its 24/7 emergency services. The hospital has become very busy due to an increase in pet ownership. The veterinary association states that many clinics are faced with a workforce shortage.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the president of the New Brunswick Maple Syrup Association, the province's maple syrup production has reportedly peaked this year, beating the 2021 record of 10.4 million pounds

    L'Acadie Nouvelle (capacadie.com)
• Week of 2022-05-27 to 2022-06-02

  • The federal government has announced almost $247M to help create over 25,000 new apprenticeship positions in the skilled trades across Canada through 13 programs to help small and medium-sized employers offer apprenticeship training.

    citynews.ca

  • A new report from the Fraser Institute says Maritimers are seeing a bigger pay gap compared to the rest of Canada. In 2010 the average Maritime income was $7,907 lower than the rest of Canada (excluding Alberta), but by 2019 the pay gap increased to $11,034.

    thewave.ca

  • Off Grid Ales has been sold to new owners, who will move the brewery to a new and expanded location in Magaguadavic, N.B. The move is expected to take place in early August. Off Grid will upgrade to a 30-barrel system and will move to cans to increase distribution.

    thewave.ca

  • Paladin Security states that it plans to hire 300 staff as a result of it being awarded the security services contract for Vitalité and Horizon Health facilities. Healthcare security positions start at $20 an hour. Paladin will also open a office in Dieppe.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Child care fees at licensed daycare centres across New Brunswick have dropped by 50% as of June 1. The reduced cost is expected to drive demand higher and could also lead to closures of unlicensed daycares that may be unable to compete on price.

    cbc.ca

  • The Saint John developer who is proposing to build a 12-storey, multi-use building at the former Woolworth site, has put the project on hold due to rising costs and economic instability. A redesign will be done in order to decrease the cost of the project.

    cbc.ca

  • Port Saint John reports that its revenue increased by 35% last year, finishing at $22.3M for the year. That is just below the pre-pandemic level of $24.3M recorded in 2019. The port’s increase in revenue came mainly from growth in the bulk sector.

    thewave.ca

  • Business insolvencies in New Brunswick and across Canada are on the rise as government support programs end and as inflation and interest rates go up. Industries most affected were construction, hospitality and food services, and transportation and warehousing.

    cbc.ca

  • The New Brunswick Community College released the results of the latest Graduate Follow-Up Survey, which found that 90% of 2020 grads were employed one year after graduation. Over 75% are working in jobs related to their field of study and most stayed in the province.

    charlottefm.ca

  • According to Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), the New Brunswick manufacturing sector has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Despite the rebound, labour and skills shortages, as well as rising inflation rate and supply chain issues are concerns.

    thewave.ca

  • The city of Saint John is looking to complete a $1.5M redevelopment project for Rockwood Park by the end of 2022. Once public consultations are done, Gemtec Consulting Engineers and Scientists will finalize the design and tenders will go out this summer.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal and provincial governments are investing $6.6M in three projects of the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. The projects include career plan management, the transformation of programs centred on the development of skills and IT system modernization.

    L'Acadie Nouvelle (capacadie.com)
• Week of 2022-05-20 to 2022-05-26

  • The federal government will give $21.2M to Irving-owned New Brunswick Southern Railway to upgrade rail terminals in Saint John and McAdam and about $21M will go to Port Saint John to help it improve its cargo and crane capacity. The money is from the National Trade Corridors Fund.

    cbc.ca

  • Shoppers Drug Mart announced a five-year investment of $2.5M at the University of New Brunswick’s McKenna Institute. Researchers will study how pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists can play a role in taking pressure off the health-care system.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Grand Manan will be losing its only bank when the Scotiabank closes on August 24. The nearest bank for Island residents is on the mainland, which would require taking a 90-minute ferry ride followed by a 20-minute drive to St. George, N.B.

    charlottefm.ca

  • After two years of record lumber prices, the New Brunswick government says it increase the royalty rates that are charged to forestry companies. A little more than half of the wood harvested comes from the province and rates have stayed the same since 2015.

    cbc.ca

  • The Tipsy Roadhouse, a hockey-themed restaurant and sports bar, is slated to open in late July at 184 Hampton Road in Quispamsis. The establishment will offer live music, pub-style food, and feature guest appearances by star hockey players.

    thewave.ca

  • A report by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council states that while the unemployment rate is at a record low in New Brunswick at 7.4%, it is also faced with a worsening labour shortage. The province is also going through a growing housing and cost of living crisis.

    cbc.ca

  • University students in New Brunswick will face tuition hikes this fall. St. Thomas’s tuition will go up 5%, Mount Allison will rise 3%, and the University of New Brunswick will increase by 4.5% The province will increase its operating grant to universities by 1.5%.

    cbc.ca

  • Nursing home nurses in New Brunswick will get about $8K in back pay once their contract gets ratified by the Nurses Union. The contract offers 14.5% over five years and expires December 31, 2023. With the new agreement, the average wage of a nurse will be over $80K.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-05-13 to 2022-05-19

  • The Burchill Wind Project will receive $49.9M in federal funding, which is currently under development in Saint John. The wind farm will consist of 10 wind turbine generators and will employ local skilled labour. The total cost of the project stands at $95M.

    thewave.ca

  • Moncton City Council gave its approval to a proposal to build a four-storey, 54-unit apartment building at the corner of Shediac Road and Lewisville Road. Three existing homes will be demolished to make way for the development.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • The Saint John Real Estate Board reports that above-average home sales continue in the region, with 221 homes sold in April. The average house sold for $304K, but housing inventory levels are very low with only 447 active listing for the month of April.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Saint John Energy has begun construction at the Burchill wind farm, which is expected to begin operations later this year. Irving Oil, Port Saint John, and the City of Saint John are proposing to buy renewable energy certificates to offset their carbon emissions.

    cbc.ca

  • The restaurant industry continues to face widespread staffing shortages and rising costs across the country along as they reduce hours and condense menus to cope. The shortage is most acute in kitchens for red seal chefs, sous-chefs and line cooks.

    cbc.ca

  • Rising fuel prices will result in higher ticket prices for those who ride Maritime Bus. A fuel adjustment charge will see the price of a ticket increase by four or five dollars. The company has seen an increase in ridership as fuel prices go up.

    charlottefm.ca

  • New Brunswick’s Incentive Program, which was launched last spring to recruit newly registered nurses to N.B., has resulted in 170 new hires. Nurses can get up to $10K in exchange for a three year commitment to work in the province full or part time.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Restaurants are understaffed. The Tide & Boar in Moncton is reducing its opening hours, and The Octopus' Garden Cafe & Bistro in Alma is open five days a week. The historically low unemployment rate is making recruitment even more challenging.

    L'Acadie Nouvelle (capacadie.com)

  • The Charlo Regional Airport will receive a total of $780,000 from the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) to replace runway maintenance equipment. Earlier this year, there was an announcement that $2.6M in funding would go towards some of the infrastructure.

    L'Acadie Nouvelle (capacadie.com)
• Week of 2022-05-06 to 2022-05-12

  • Robert Half, a talent and business consulting firm, released a report which found that 38% of Canadian workers surveyed are more burned out than a year ago. Those most likely to report burnout were millennials, women, and newer employees (2-4 years).

    charlottefm.ca

  • Atlantic Canada leads the rest of Canada in job gains, as employment levels have fallen off across the rest of Canada. New Brunswick saw an increase of 6,700 people working in April and its unemployment rate fell to 9.1%, while P.E.I’s unemployment rate stayed at 7.5%.

    charlottefm.ca

  • New Brunswick's tourism industry is looking forward to a busy summer, but are concerned about the labour shortage in the service industry. Statistics Canada reports that job openings have doubled for servers, cooks, cleaners, and retail salespeople.

    cbc.ca

  • Recruiting staff for the Sackville Memorial Hospital has proven more difficult due to a lack of housing in the Sackville area. The hospital has suffered from staffing shortages. Sackville’s mayor states that the town has grown by more than 760 people since the last census.

    Telegraph Journal

  • The federal government will invest $2M to create a new professional master’s program in artificial intelligence and data science at the Université de Moncton. The university will be able to attract talent in artificial intelligence, data science, and robotics.

    charlottefm.ca

  • The Irving gas station and convenience store in Sussex will be undergoing renovations and expanded under a new owner. The store will employ about 30 full-time employees when it opens in July and has partnered with Vito’s to offer some of their menu items.

    charlottefm.ca

  • CMHC reports that New Brunswick had a record 5,196 new housing units being built during the first three months of 2022. Housing units include apartments, houses, townhouses, and condos. Despite the growth there is still a shortage of listings across the province.

    cbc.ca

  • A hybrid work study from Cisco reports that most Canadians who are working a hybrid home/office arrangement are happier, healthier, richer, and more productive. Almost 75% see a better work-life balance and have saved on average $11K due to less commuting.

    Daily Gleaner

  • The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association says rising diesel prices is creating financial stress in the trucking industry. Diesel has increased by almost 75 cents per litre and truckers will fill up to 3-4 times a week and often wait 30 days to get paid.

    thewave.ca

  • The federal environment commissioner released a report stating that Ottawa needs to do more to support Canadian fossil fuel workers move to a less carbon-intensive economy. In Bathurst, up to 300 jobs are at risk when the Belledune Generating Station closes in 2030.

    Moncton Times & Transcript

  • Vivify Creative Group, a creative agency based in Dieppe, has put out a casting call for actors in Southeast New Brunswick. The agency is recruiting to do a summer ad campaign for Destination New Brunswick.

    charlottefm.ca