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

  • 2B Green Farm, a gourmet mushroom business that is growing mushrooms out of three shipping containers in Summerside, is hoping to eventually expand to agricultural land. The mushrooms are currently sold at farmer's markets and some small grocery stores.

    cbc.ca

  • ACOA awarded $3M in total from the Tourism Relief Fund to go to 22 P.E.I. tourism projects. Recipients included Epic Electric Scooters, Nellie's Landing Marina, P.E.I. Cycling Tours, and Tranquility Cove Adventures, who used the money to expand or upgrade.

    cbc.ca

  • As police departments across the country face a shortage of officers, the Atlantic Police Academy in Summerside expects good opportunities for its police sciences grads. It is expected that demand will continue to be strong for the next decade.

    cbc.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

  • 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

  • The P.E.I. Nurses' Union ratified a new collective agreement with Health P.E.I., which will see pay increases and new incentives for working weekends and nights. Nurse’s pay will increase by 12.7% over four years and incentives as high as $9.25 per hour.

    cbc.ca

  • SustainAgro is proposing to build a new biomass energy facility in the Kensington Business Park by October, which would employ about 30 people. The facility would take biomass and turn it into renewable diesel through a process called pyrolysis.

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

  • 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 Immigrant and Refugee Services Association of P.E.I. has opened a new office on Greenwood Drive in Summerside, which will be staffed with five full-time staff. The hope is to get more government sponsored refugees to settle in Summerside.

    cbc.ca

  • A review of P.E.I.’s hospital service closures found that rural hospitals were most impacted, due to staffing issues, particularly over weekends and holidays. Hospitals impacted the most have been Kings County Memorial and Alberton's Western Hospital.

    cbc.ca

  • A government report on P.E.I.'s health-care system says that 2,000 new health-care workers will be needed to cover population growth and retirements over the next 10 years.

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

  • Health P.E.I. and the P.E.I. Nurses' Union have reached a tentative collective agreement after two years without a contract. Highlights include incentives for nurses to become permanent employees, better compensation, and better recognition of experience.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s economy cooled down in 2022, but still experienced 2.9% growth overall. Construction and agriculture, which saw strong growth in 2021, ended up down 3.1 and 2.7% in 2022. Both sectors state that a shortage of labour is impacting growth.

    cbc.ca

  • The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission has ruled that the proposed expansion of the East Point wind farm can proceed. P.E.I. Energy Corporation wants to add seven wind turbines at the facility, which would generate about 8% of the Island's electricity.

    cbc.ca

  • Cineplex Cinemas Charlottetown will re-open on May 19 after 8 months of renovations, following the damage caused by post-tropical storm Fiona. The 30,000-square-foot complex had an eight-foot hole in the ceiling and incurred a lot of water damage.

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

  • P.E.I. auto body shops state they are still working through a backlog of repairs stemming from damage caused during post-tropical storm Fiona. Fix Auto in Charlottetown reports that they have had to hire more people and extend the shop's hours to catch up.

    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

  • 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

  • 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

  • According to Statistics Canada, P.E.I.`s average weekly earnings grew by 5.7% year-over-year. Island employers have had to increase wages to attract and retain workers, especially with rising living expenses and challenging housing issues.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. automobile dealerships had a difficult year in 2022, selling the lowest number of vehicles since 2012. The P.E.I. Automobile Dealers Association states that the issue was a lack of supply due to a shortage of crucial parts, such as microchips.

    cbc.ca

  • A high-end resort and spa is planned for the former Woodleigh Replicas property in Burlington. Roughly $50-$60M has been budgeted for the development, which will include over 100 hotel rooms, a restaurant, Nordic spa and will employ up to 80 staff.

    cbc.ca

  • The Atlantic Veterinary College's (AVC) Veterinary Teaching Hospital will stop offering overnight emergency care as of May 1, due to a shortage of both veterinarian and veterinary technician positions. The shortage of personnel is being felt across Canada.

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

  • A survey by the Summerside Chamber of Commerce reports that 40% of its members have had difficulty finding skilled workers. Businesses are being more flexible, providing training, offering benefits, higher wages, and other incentives to attract workers.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. harbours are getting ready for the spring lobster fishing season after many wharves were damaged from Fiona. It is expected to take a few years to get most of the repairs done and replace infrastructure, with $100M set aside for harbour repairs.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I. has returned from an international recruitment mission last month, which could see as many as 31 new nurses head to P.E.I. from Dubai. The province currently has a 20% nursing vacancy rate.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Shellfish Association says demand for its wild oysters is stronger than what harvesters can deliver. The industry had been hit hard by post-tropical storm Fiona and pandemic slowdowns, but are seeing new orders from Ontario and Quebec restaurants.

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

  • 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

  • The City of Summerside has voted to rezone industrial land, off 130 Greenwood Drive, to be used for residential land use. No development plan is in place, but the land could be used for semi-detached housing, row housing and apartment buildings.

    cbc.ca

  • 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

  • UPEI faculty members have reached a tentative agreement with the University of Prince Edward Island. Included in the deal is a commitment to hire 20 additional full-time faculty members, a 3% wage increase over four years, and more research support.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.-based Abegweit First Nation has signed a 5-year agreement with the federal government, allowing them to participate in a moderate livelihood fishery, as well as funding to help restore habitat for Atlantic salmon and eel.

    cbc.ca

  • Seaside Bookshop will close its store on Water Street in downtown Summerside after more than 30 years in business. The store will close at the end of May and Jewellery Plus will expand into the location, with its laser engraving machines.

    cbc.ca

  • 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

  • Flair Airlines will not resume flights to Ottawa out of the Charlottetown Airport this June, however the carrier will offer service to Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo. Porter Airlines will begin direct flight to Ottawa out of Charlottetown on May 17.

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

  • 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

  • The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) has launched a P.E.I. chapter, to help support and grow the Black business community on the Island. Plans are in the works to host a Black business expo in the coming months.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. employers hope that with available job opportunities on the Island, that Alberta’s recruitment ads will not lure many Maritimers out west. Roughly 45,000 people moved to Alberta after the first phase of the ads, with 300 coming from P.E.I.

    cbc.ca

  • Stratford town council made bylaw changes that will allow a massive billion-dollar residential and commercial development to proceed. The Gray Group plans to add about 3,200 residential units and 300,000 ft2 of commercial space over the next 20 years.

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

  • 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

  • The UPEI Faculty Association and the University of Prince Edward Island have agreed to have an independent mediator appointed to help both sides reach a new collective agreement. Negotiations have been taken place since April 2022.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s tourism industry is working hard to find staff, with the Island being one of the hottest job markets in Canada. A recent job fair attracted 630 job seekers, with about 1,000 jobs available. P.E.I. had a record 87,300 jobs recorded in March 2023.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Charlottetown has tabled a new budget for 2023-24, with $77.5M in spending allocated. New initiatives will include the hiring of a new bylaw enforcement officer and two additional police officers.

    cbc.ca

  • A recent Statistics Canada population report shows P.E.I. grew by 4.3% in 2022, but almost 4,200 people left the Island that year. Possible reasons include a lack of housing and access to a doctor, low wages, rising costs, and limited opportunities.

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

  • The P.E.I. Potato Board has taken the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to court to lift the federal restrictions on P.E.I. seed potatoes due to potato wart. If the potato board is successful, P.E.I. seed potatoes could start moving across Canada again.

    cbc.ca

  • 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

  • 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

  • The P.E.I. Nurses' Union and CUPE 3260, which represents 800 education support workers in P.E.I., are both looking to sign new collective agreements. Both unions are looking for higher wages and have recruitment and retention issues it wants addressed.

    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
• Week of 2023-03-17 to 2023-03-23

  • P.E.I.’s Bait Masters has begin adding seal meat to its bait sausages because of abundant Maritime seal and a shortage of herring and mackerel. The company produces bait sausages for fishermen at its $1.4M production facility in Nine Mile Creek.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Nurses Union is frustrated that contract negotiations are on hold due to the election. It's been two years since nurses have had a contract and the union states that they are struggling and facing issues that need to be addressed.

    cbc.ca

  • UPEI faculty members are on strike after negotiations with the university failed to lead to a new collective agreement. The university’s administration wants to go through arbitration and states that only five of 113 issues were resolved in its last talks.

    cbc.ca

  • Green Diamond Equipment in Summerside hosted an agriculture training program called Level the Field, which helps women break barriers in agriculture. Participants were shown basic tractor maintenance, as well as advanced GPS technology.

    cbc.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

  • 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
• Week of 2023-03-10 to 2023-03-16

  • As P.E.I. deals with a health-care crisis, the use of physician assistants is being discussed as a way to ease the workload of doctors. Three universities in Canada offer the two-year graduate level program and physician assistants are in high demand.

    cbc.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

  • 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

  • P.E.I. housing prices have had three straight years of double-digit price increases, having gone up 10.0% in 2020, 24.8% in 2021, and 16.8% in 2022. The benchmark price for a P.E.I. home in 2022 reached $353,308, while P.E.I. wages remain the lowest.

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

  • Faculty at UPEI are concerned about the university’s long-term financial stability, with the amount of money required to establish a faculty of medicine on campus. Estimated infrastructure costs total over $100M and annual operating costs of $11M a year.

    cbc.ca

  • The UPEI Faculty Association says it is prepared to go on strike by March 20, if a contract can’t be reached with the university by then. Both sides have been negotiating since April 2022.

    cbc.ca

  • The Construction Association of P.E.I. states that residential development has been on the decline over the past two years, due mainly to the number of major projects on the Island. It claims the industry needs up to 2,000 additional workers to catch up.

    cbc.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

  • P.E.I. horse owners state that there is a shortage of Island veterinarians, an issue made worse when a vet clinic in Kensington stopped treating horses. Concerned Equine Owners of P.E.I. say about 800 horses are affected by the lack of veterinarians.

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

  • Whitecap Entertainment’s request to hold a two-day rock concert on the weekend following the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, was approved by council after being denied initially. Local businesses questioned if it was beneficial to have back-to-back concerts.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government will partner with Holland College and the Construction Assoc. of P.E.I. to build 32 tiny homes for the social housing inventory. Sudents will be involved from trades programs, such as carpentry, construction, electrical and plumbing.

    Guardian

  • Work has begun to repair the east wharf at Red Head Harbour in Morell, that was damaged by post-tropical storm Fiona. Engineers are hoping to have the wharf in working order by the start of the lobster season at the end of April.

    cbc.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
• Week of 2023-02-17 to 2023-02-23

  • Prince Edward Island is set to expand its public transit service. This includes a year-round route connecting the North Rustico area to Charlottetown that will begin this spring as well as new routes to expand transit in Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford.

    princeedwardisland.ca

  • The Government of Canada has announced $1.95M in funding for Charlottetown-based biotechnology company Somru BioScience Inc. to purchase new advanced equipment and expand existing facilities by 15,000 square feet to support high-skilled job growth and strengthen the bioscience sector in P.E.I.

    canada.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

  • The $98M contract to renovate the Veterans Affairs Headquarters in Charlottetown has been awarded to EllisDon Corporation. Construction is expected to begin in March and be completed by spring 2026. The project includes a plan that will see 10% of all subcontracts awarded to Indigenous businesses.

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

  • The P.E.I. and federal governments will invest $50M to build a 75,000 ft2 biomanufacturing facility, the BioAccelerator, in the BioCommons Research Park in Charlottetown. The project is expected to create highly-skilled jobs and opportunities.

    canada.ca

  • Porter Airlines will begin offering daily non-stop flights between Charlottetown and Ottawa, starting in May and ending in October. P.E.I. is currently the only Atlantic province not served by Porter.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I. states that work has begun to create a new centralized online referral system, which will allow health-care providers to view wait times for a specific specialist when referring a patient. It is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete.

    cbc.ca

  • The paramedics' union and Island EMS have reached a tentative agreement, which will need to be ratified by its 200 members. Key agreement aspects include salary increases and improving working conditions, and other initiatives to improve staff retention.

    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

  • The UPEI Faculty Association voted 83% in favour of striking if they are unable to reach a collective agreement. Faculty demands include reasonable workloads, more full-time faculty, better health and safety conditions and higher pay.

    cbc.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

  • P.E.I.’s Construction Association says that the goal of having the Island’s vacancy rate at 4% within two years, would require an extra 1,500 to 2,000 skilled tradespeople. Construction on the Island employs around 7,200 workers and could lose many to retirement.

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

  • P.E.I.'s Aquabounty will no longer be producing genetically-engineered salmon for market, but will continue to farm brood stock and harvest eggs. The change will not result in any layoffs for the 37 staff at the facilities in Rollo Bay or Bay Fortune.

    cbc.ca

  • There is a growing concern over the level of care being provided by private long-term care homes on P.E.I. There is a long wait-list and many facilities are understaffed. Private care workers are paid $12-$19/hr, while public care workers make $21-$22/hr.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistic Canada's census of agriculture, shows that P.E.I. lost 12.3% of its farmland between 2016 and 2021, a big jump compared to the average loss of 3.6% over the previous three censuses. It is believed to be due to suburban growth and development.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. real estate agents state that the commercial real estate market is starting to stabilize, but is still faced with a limited number of properties. Charlottetown has a shortage of commercial properties, but has high demand coupled with high rent.

    cbc.ca

  • The Kari ride-booking app has seen more growth and popularity on the Island than originally anticipated, providing 1500-1800 rides a week and has successfully attracted drivers. The pandemic has impacted the taxi industry, who struggle to find drivers.

    cbc.ca

  • Port Charlottetown is expecting a record-breaking season in 2023, with 91 ships, and over 150,000 passengers and 63,000 crew arriving. The Island’s cruise industry had a $42.2M economic impact in 2019 and 2023 is expected to surpass that in passengers.

    ctvnews.ca

  • P.E.I. will receive an additional $48M in federal health care spending next year, as part of the new health care deal unveiled this week. The premier states that the province will spend about $1B in total on health care next year.

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

  • P.E.I.'s health authority states that the biggest challenge it faces is staffing and related issues, such as overtime and burnout. Health PEI has hundreds of health-care vacancies, including over 20 for family doctors and 10 for emergency department doctors.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A CMHC report states that P.E.I.'s apartment vacancy rate dropped to 0.8% in October 2022. The Island has seen increased demand for housing as its population grows from newcomers and interprovincial migration. Rent has also increased by 9% from 2021 to 2022.

    cbc.ca

  • Health P.E.I.’s CEO is concerned about how it will free up doctors to teach at the proposed medical school at UPEI, due to the Island’s doctor shortage. The intent is to complete construction of the medical school in time for students to begin by fall 2024.

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

  • 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

  • Breweries on P.E.I. say they are seeing a growing interest among customers to consume low and non-alcoholic drinks. P.E.I.’s Upstreet Craft Brewing is now sold across Canada and Lone Oak is looking to expand in order to meet the growing demand for its low-alcohol beer.

    cbc.ca

  • A panel of experts created by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has found that potato wart is mostly under control on P.E.I. The P.E.I. Potato Board wants Ottawa to act on the panel’s recommendations and allow all P.E.I. potato exports to resume.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.-based rideshare service, Kari, is expanding and recruiting drivers in Summerside. Successful candidates are required to own vehicles built in the last 10 years and must also obtain their Class 4R license. Kari is also looking to set up operations in Moncton this summer.

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

  • Provincial politicians on Prince Edward Island will get a 2.75% salary increase this month. This will result in MLA base salaries going from $76,439.84 to $78,541.94. P.E.I. MLAs are paid less than MLAs in other parts of the country.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Public Schools Branch reports that the shortage of substitute teachers is improving and now has over 500 non-certified and 360 certified substitute teachers. Also needed are custodians, educational assistants, youth service workers and bus drivers.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. is expecting up to 10,000 visitors when the Canada Winter Games begin next month. It is estimated that it will generate over $100M in economic activity for P.E.I., with many hotels in Summerside and Charlottetown at or near capacity.

    cbc.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

  • An Adult ADHD Clinic at UPEI has recently opened and is looking to recruit more staff, such as nurse practitioners and family physicians. It is currently being run with a $1M in project funding, but are hoping to get permanent funding.

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

  • Innovation P.E.I. announced it will double its funding for Mitacs, an organization that creates internship opportunities in industries including clean tech, agri-food and bioscience. Students get a chance to use their academic research in a practical way.

    cbc.ca

  • 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

  • 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

  • The P.E.I. government plans to appoint a mediator to help UPEI and its faculty association reach a new collective agreement. Negotiations began back in April 2022, with faculty wanting more full-time staff, smaller classes, and better compensation.

    cbc.ca

  • Aspin-Kemp & Associates is partenering with RE-FUEL Renewable Fuels and making a multi-million dollar investment in green energy, by buying two small electrolyzer units. The units are set to arrive in 2024 and can produce electricity from hydrogen.

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

  • Prince Edward Island has increased its minimum wage to $14.50 as of January 1 and will increase it to $15 on October 1. The current minimum wage in N.B is $13.75, N.L. is $13.70, and N.S. is $13.60.

    globalnews.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that P.E.I. is doing better at retaining immigrants, but five years later only retained 28% of the immigrants that arrived in 2015. Atlantic Canada had the lowest overall retention rate in the country, with N.L. at 47.8%, N.B. at 48%, and N.S. at 55.2%.

    cbc.ca

  • On January 13, the P.E.I. government will accept applications for three new programs to support landlords during the 2023 rental freeze. The programs will provide property tax relief, heating rebates, and zero-interest loans for those that qualify.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. tree nurseries are reporting strong volumes in calls from customers looking to replace trees lost after Fiona hit the Island. The industry is faced with a shortage of seedlings across Canada and importing trees is expensive due to the cost of diesel.

    cbc.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
• Week of 2022-12-23 to 2022-12-29

  • 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

  • The Dental Hygienist Association of P.E.I. is trying to attract more men to the field to help address a shortage of dental hygienists, as well as dental assistants. The field is dominated by woman, and Island hygienists typically earn $36 to $40 an hour.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada states that P.E.I.’s population grew by about 4,000 people during the first three quarters of 2022. During that period 2,354 immigrants landed on the Island and interprovincial migration added another 1,565 people.

    cbc.ca

  • 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
• Week of 2022-12-16 to 2022-12-22

  • The Canadian Real Estate Association reports that P.E.I. home price have remained high, but the number of homes sold fell 13% in November. Buyers are faced with rising interest rates, concerns about the economy, and the after effects of Fiona.

    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

  • 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

  • Some Charlottetown retailers state that business is a little slow this holiday season, due to consumers being hit by rising prices, and faced with higher cost of living expenses.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government announced that seven more designated early years centres have been added across the Island. Early Childhood Educators have seen recent wage increases, ranging from 75 cents to $3 an hour, based on their position and qualifications.

    cbc.ca

  • CMHC will provide a $14.9M loan to construct 60 new affordable rental units in Summerside. The federal government will also invest $2.9M to build 10 housing units to provide women and their children a safe place to live, who are fleeing domestic violence.

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Mussel fishers along P.E.I.'s south shore are continuing to cleanup and evaluate the damage caused by Hurricane Fiona. The Aquaculture Alliance estimates about $70M in damage and will need to replace most of their mussels line, buoys, anchors, and seed.

    cbc.ca

  • Sign shops on P.E.I. are facing increased demand since Fiona downed and destroyed signs over two months ago. P.E.I.-based DALMAC signs, which designs, produces, and installs signs; states the industry was already busy due to construction demands.

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

  • Prince Edward Island's unemployment rate jumped by 1.4 percentage points to 6.8% in November, due to a 1,500 decline in employment.

    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

  • ACOA announced $327K in funding for four tourism projects on P.E.I. Recipients of the funding were Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Dalvay-by-the-Sea, Island Theatre Festival, and Laughing Lighthouse Rentals.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s Atlantic Beef Products states that the price of beef is expected to go down in 2023, due to high supply and lower demand. The P.E.I. processor has been expanding its shipping and holding facilities and is looking to hire about 15 employees.

    cbc.ca

  • 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
• Week of 2022-11-25 to 2022-12-01

  • 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 to January 12 and placements will begin in April 2023.

    hrreporter.com

  • The P.E.I. government has unveiled new incentives such as tax rebates and low-interest financing to maintain and produce more housing across the province. The Housing Development Challenge Pilot Program will provide $50M in term financing.

    cbc.ca

  • The Construction Industry Association of P.E.I. states that the need for new housing and other infrastructure has kept up with demand for workers. The number of construction workers has grown by 1,500 and is 27% higher than in 2021.

    cbc.ca

  • The Charlottetown Airport will issue a request for proposal for the first phase of a $20M terminal expansion project to begin in 2023. The project is expected to be done over five years.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that the percentage of immigrants and non-permanent residents in the P.E.I. workforce has grown from 6.9% in 2016 to 13.3% in 2021. The Canadian average of immigrants and non-permanent residents in the workforce in 2021 was 29%.

    cbc.ca

  • Merry Pop-Ins Childcare Centre in Tryon is closing its infant room due to a lack of staff and may have to close its entire centre. The centre has been short-staffed since 2018, and is looking for a new affordable space.

    cbc.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
• Week of 2022-11-18 to 2022-11-24

  • The P.E.I. Tree Fruit Growers Association states that Hurricane Fiona destroyed about 20% of the Island's half a million apple trees and wiped out about 80% of this year's apple harvest. P.E.I. has been expanding its acreage and number of trees planted.

    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

  • Kensington will receive $4.2M million in joint federal, provincial and municipal funding for two infrastructure projects in Kensington. These include several upgrades to Kensington’s Credit Union Centre and municipal water system upgrades.

    canada.ca

  • 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

  • P.E.I.’s civil service has increased by 36% over three years or by 1,200 jobs. In total the P.E.I. economy added about 5,800 more jobs. P.E.I. is the fastest growing Canadian province, although the Taxpayers Federation is concerned about the level of spending.

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

  • The Summerside and Charlottetown chambers of commerce report that local businesses are dealing with rising costs and decreased consumer spending. Higher-priced luxury items and knick knack items have taken a hit and there is concern about Christmas sales.

    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

  • A new $11.5M affordable housing complex was completed in downtown Charlottetown this month. Located at 203 Fitzroy Street, the 28-unit building was a modular build, with many of the parts constructed in a factory in New Brunswick.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. will begin offering grant and incentive programs to those who are interested in providing licensed childcare in their homes. Program information can be found at www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/familyhome-centre-grants.

    Guardian
• Week of 2022-11-04 to 2022-11-10

  • The Mews assisted living home in Margate will close its doors on December 31. About a dozen residents will have to move out and staff will be displaced.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal and P.E.I. governments announced that they will contribute over $3M to the PEI BioAlliance through the REGI program. The project is expected to benefit 55 bioscience businesses and help support the industry and its highly skilled workforce.

    canada.ca

  • Health P.E.I. states it will be easier to recruit physicians to the Island as it removes levels of bureaucracy and allows more flexibility in where doctors can reside.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s Department of Housing has begun hiring saff such as plumbers, electricians, and carpenters to perform maintenance at government-owned housing complexes . The government currently has five maintenance staff for its 1,600 public housing units.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government is preparing to remove isolation requirements for those with symptoms or for those that tested positive for COVID-19. Many Island businesses have struggled with staffing in part due to the isolation order.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) latest report states that it has collected 30,000 samples on the Island and have analyzed almost 20,000 so far. Potato wart was found in just one field and CFIA expects to be done its testing by March 2023.

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

  • It is estimated that 50% of P.E.I.’s softwood trees were downed by Fiona and need to be harvested before they rot or become a fire hazard. The loss of so many trees at once will affect the industry's sustainability, with 40 years needed to replace them.

    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 P.E.I. government is pledging to spend $308M to build publicly-owned housing units, schools, bridges, and pave roads across the Island during the next fiscal year.

    cbc.ca

  • Migrant rights advocates on P.E.I. want to see more migrants that are already in the country be granted permanent residency. Some like those in the P.E.I. Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program can’t qualify because their work contracts are under two years.

    Guardian

  • 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

  • Musicians on the Island are concerned that SiriusXM has cancelled its contract with CBC Radio, which has a focus on promoting up-and-coming independent Canadian artists. Many artists depend on SiriusXM royalties to supplement their income.

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • FIGR, a P.E.I.-owned cannabis company, reports that high taxes, rising costs, and competition from illegal growers has cut deep into its profits. The company’s production facility in Charlottetown has gone from 160 staff to 130 in the last two years.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s agriculture and aquaculture industries report various storm damage from Fiona such as fallen buildings, dead cattle, and about 100,000 destroyed fruit trees. The aquaculture industry estimates the damage to its industry is about $70M.

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

  • P.E.I. has introduced a $8M retention incentive program, which will see nurses and other health-care workers receive bonuses for a one-year return in service. RNs and nurse practitioners will get $3,500, while LPNs and paramedics will receive $3,000.

    cbc.ca

  • Island potato farmers are dealing with the added expense of clearing downed trees while in the middle of harvest season. Other farmers are looking to find alternative storage options, due to damage from Fiona.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. fishermen state that the $300M federal funding will help them to recover from the damage caused by Fiona, but more money is needed to fix all the wharves, breakwaters, and other damage caused by the storm.

    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

  • The P.E.I. tourism industry broke records in July for overnight stays and also saw increases in the number of travellers to the Island. However, the number of available room nights and campsite are down, and the industry has faced labour shortages.

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

  • 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

  • The P.E.I. government is partnering with the Construction Association of PEI to match contractors with Islanders that require repairs to their homes or businesses. Skilled tradespeople are needed to help rebuild after Hurricane Fiona.

    princeedwardisland.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

  • 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
• Week of 2022-09-30 to 2022-10-06

  • P.E.I. potato farmers are worried that excess moisture caused by Fiona could cause their crops to rot. Some potato farms also suffered major damage to potato storages and other buildings from the storm.

    cbc.ca

  • 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

  • P.E.I. agriculture producers are left with destroyed barns, flattened crops, and downed trees in their fields after being hit by Fiona, leaving some to consider their livelihood’s future. The Island has at least eight dairy barns that are now unusable.

    peicanada.com

  • 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

  • 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
• Week of 2022-09-23 to 2022-09-29

  • 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

  • A number of major events on P.E.I. have been cancelled prior to the arrival of post-tropical storm Fiona. Bye-bye Beer Festival, Harvest Home Festival, and the Street Feast block party will look to reschedule.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s premier is asking for federal help, after the Island’s fisheries and agriculture industries suffered significant losses from post-tropical storm Fiona. Many cattle barns, potato storage facilities, and wharves were damaged or destroyed.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-09-16 to 2022-09-22

  • Prince Edward Island's minimum wage will increase to $14.50 per hour on January 1, 2023 and then $15 per hour on October 1, 2023. The current minimum wage is $13.70 per hour.

    cbc.ca

  • Two P.E.I. cannabis companies are working on unique products to offer consumers. Remidose Aerosols produces topical creams and cannabinoid inhalers, while Retro Cannabis produces honey oil and flavourless products, that can be added to food or drinks.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the P.E.I. Potato Board, the lack of rainfall in August and September will result in smaller potatoes and an average crop size.

    cbc.ca

  • 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
• Week of 2022-09-09 to 2022-09-15

  • Laurie's Country Kitchen in Mount Stewart, P.E.I. has closed its doors after struggling to break even due to rising operating costs and staff shortages. P.E.I.’s tourism and hospitality sectors have struggled to find staff this year.

    cbc.ca

  • Workers within P.E.I.'s health-care sector report that labour shortages and staffing issues have resulted in staff taking on extra responsibilities, rushing through patient care, and not taking care of themselves.

    Guardian

  • The P.E.I. midwifery program is on track to be approved by the end of the year and once regulations are passed, the hiring process will begin. It is expected that there will be an initial team of four midwives and then build the program over time.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s unemployment rate rose up to 7.3% in August, despite more Islanders entering the workforce and an increase in the number of available jobs. P.E.I.’s workforce has grown by about 15% since 2016, while the number of jobs has risen by 20% during that time.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. is in the process of hiring an international recruitment co-ordinator to help recruit and support foreign-trained health-care workers. The province has faced health care challenges and wants to help foreign-trained doctors and nurses work in their field.

    cbc.ca

  • Renovations at the Main Street Home Hardware Building Centre and MacPhee's Market Save Easy in Souris has added an additional 25,000 square feet of space, which is expected to create eight to 10 new positions.

    Telegram

  • The Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer states that changing P.E.I. to a single economic E.I. zone would reduce regular EI and fishing benefits and would save Ottawa over $76M over five years. Currently P.E.I. has two zones – Charlottetown and the rest of P.E.I.n

    Daily Gleaner
• Week of 2022-09-02 to 2022-09-08

  • P.E.I.’s Department of Workforce Development states that there is a mismatch of jobs that the province needs to fill and the skills and training of available workers. The province is looking to provide skills training for in-demand roles such as nurses, tradespeople and cooks.

    Guardian

  • As P.E.I.'s population grows, the Island is looking at ways to retain newcomers who come to P.E.I., support housing, health care, schools, and get more people into the workforce. P.E.I. is expected to be home to 201,000 people by 2035.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. breweries have seen local beer sales up 24% over last year, with some breweries reporting record demand for their product. Demand has been so high that some breweries had to turn away some orders, in order to ensure their own taprooms were stocked.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission has approved four new liquor agency stores. The stores are approved to open on October 7 in Bothwell, Crapaud, North Wiltshire, and Oyster Bed. There are currently eight agency stores operating across the Island.

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

  • Upcycle Green Technology, a Stratford-based company, is transforming Toyota Corollas into small electric pickup trucks. The company will sell the trucks for $15,000. It is hoped that the assembly line will be running by next year and will require 12 workers.

    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

  • P.E.I. will spend $1.7M to add 34 positions across Island schools for the 2022-23 school year. Positions include various teachers, school counsellors, resource teachers, youth service workers, educational assistants and one speech language pathologist.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government has contributed nearly $1M to P.E.I.’s Lennox Island First Nation community to design and build a new, Indigenous-owned and operated marine maintenance facility. The project will provide skills training and create new jobs.

    employmentjourney.com

  • Workplace Learning P.E.I. is getting a $1.5M investment from the Federal Skills for Success program, which helps Island workers with learning disabilities. The ADAPT project assesses skills gaps and then addresses workplace challenges, with the goal to improve employee retention, productivity and morale.

    Guardian

  • 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

  • Tourism P.E.I. has started their fall marketing campaign, following a strong tourism summer despite labour shortages. The association will promote its fall foliage, outdoor adventures, and events like the P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival and Fall Flavours.

    cbc.ca

  • The owner of P.E.I.’s High Valley Plumbing and Heating, who has struggled to find staff, is offering to hire and train a person without a post-secondary education. The person should be good with their hands, ready to learn, and willing to work in the trades.

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

  • The CEO of P.E.I. Seniors Homes states that while staffing shortages is a factor for long-term care, P.E.I.’s new assessment model (interRAI) is also causing delays. Less than 14 people are trained to do the new long-term care assessments, compared to 40 before.

    cbc.ca

  • 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

  • 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

  • The post office in Belle River closed down at the end of July. The post office was located inside The Store and the shop owner retired, which led to the closure. Canada Post has stated that it is in the process of hiring a new postmaster and re-establish service.

    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

  • 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

  • Machon's Point Fisherman's Cooperative fish plant in Murray Harbour was destroyed in an early morning fire on June 19. The facility, which also includes an ice house and mechanics shop, employs as many as 45 people during peak season.

    cbc.ca

  • The Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. says that June was the best June on record for the tourism industry. Key statistics such as room nights sold, rounds of golf, and campground site bookings were all higher than 2019, which was a record-breaking year.

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

  • 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

  • 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 federal government has granted nine temporary foreign workers open work permits to enable them to escape an abusive situation from a P.E.I. farm where they worked. Agriculture on P.E.I. relies on temporary foreign workers, who fill about 40% of farm jobs.

    cbc.ca

  • Desjardins has updated its Canadian Residential Real Estate Outlook, which predicts that P.E.I. home prices could fall by 25% by December 2023 compared to 2019 prices. Housing sales are expected to drop across the province, as mortgage rates rise as well.

    cbc.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

  • The Canadian Medical Association states that there are several barriers stopping foreign-trained physicians from working on P.E.I, including the fact that P.E.I. doesn’t offer physician assessments. The process takes time and can be expensive for the doctor.

    cbc.ca

  • T3 Transit is reporting a record year for public transit ridership in P.E.I. Growth was seen not only in Charlottetown, but also in the rural areas of Cornwall and Stratford. T3 Transit has added six new buses and is expected to add another 10 in the fall.

    cbc.ca

  • Lennox Island treaty fishers are taking part in P.E.I.’s fall lobster fishery. Seven Lennox Island families will set 700 fishery treaty traps in total, with a goal to set 1,000 treaty traps in the spring lobster season and give its youth fishing experience.

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

  • P.E.I.'s fall lobster fishery will open on August 11 and close on October 12, with about 220 licensed fishers. Lobster is Canada's most lucrative fishery and P.E.I.'s seafood industry is valued at about $1.2B. The Island exports 72% of its lobster to the U.S.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. has roughly 400 casual positions to fill within its Public Schools Branch, ranging from school bus drivers to custodians to substitute teachers. Faced with a shortage of labour, the branch is posting ads, hosting job fairs, and even using TikTok.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottetown has over 70 cruise ships scheduled to visit the city after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Tourism operators are doing their best to meet cruise ship needs, despite a shortage of labour. In the fall demand will be even greater when multiple ships visit.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that 33% of P.E.I. nurses worked overtime in July and on average worked 2.5 hours a week. Across Canada 25% of nurses worked overtime. The P.E.I. Nurses' Union says the lack of registered nurses is a problem, with vacancies as high as 25%.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the 2021 Census, rural areas around P.E.I.’s town and cities tend to be on the higher end of the scale for median income. Charlottetown ($58K) and Summerside ($56K) were both below the Island average of $64K, while Kingston (near Charlottetown) was at $89K.

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • The doctor shortage on P.E.I. and the Island's housing crisis has made it hard to recruit locum doctors. Locums are temporary doctors from outside the province. The Summerside hospital has 50-60 locum positions filled by 31 doctors, and a 1.5% vacancy rate.

    cbc.ca

  • Restaurants on the Island have had to adjust the way they operate with the ongoing labour shortage. This has resulted in some being closed for a day or two, having to raise menu prices, offering higher wages to staff, and even a free flight to P.E.I.

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

  • Testing performed by Canadian Food Inspection Agency's laboratory in Charlottetown has found potato wart in a field next to a farm where potato wart was detected in October 2021. P.E.I. seed potatoes have been banned, pending the outcome of the investigation.

    cbc.ca

  • The 2022 Cavendish Beach Music Festival had the largest turnout in the concert's 12-year history, with ticket sales breaking records. Over 67,000 people attended the three-day music festival. Organizers plan to have two separate concerts next year.

    cbc.ca

  • A record of 35 Island post-secondary students are involved in RDÉE PEI’s PERCÉ program, which was created to address PEI’s labour shortage and to attract Island graduates. Students are matched with employers for a 10-12 week internship in their field of study.

    employmentjourney.com

  • The minister responsible for Service Canada says that P.E.I. will soon get their own passport office on the Island. Currently P.E.I. residents have to either apply for a passport through the mail, or travel to Fredericton or Halifax.

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

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has tested 5,000 samples from P.E.I. fields and has not found the potato wart fungus, which led to the export ban that is still in place. CFIA still has over 12,000 samples to test and will hire 70 staff to complete the work.

    cbc.ca

  • The number of Islanders in need of a family doctor continues to rise, with population growth, recruitment troubles and departing doctors adding to the issue. Since 2018, the number of family doctors has increased by 5%, while the Island's population jumped by 10%.

    cbc.ca

  • Courts on P.E.I. are looking to recruit lawyers to work as justices of the peace. The justices of the peace would be hired by and work for the courts, to review applications for search warrants and protection orders, and conduct release hearings.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. auto-repair shops have seen an increase in business, as more people need repair work on older vehicles, due to a lack of new and used vehicles. Increase demand has led to hiring of more staff, but garages are also facing a shortage of available mechanics.

    cbc.ca

  • A survey by P.E.I. Immigration Partnership Program has identified a number of key challenges for Island newcomers. Many face delays for work permits and permanent residency, have trouble finding stable employment, and accessing health-care services.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.’s director of early childhood development says that the Island is on track for $10/day daycare. Fees will drop again in October to about $20 a day on average. The province is also increasing the number of daycare spaces, with 1,500 children on wait lists.

    cbc.ca

  • The provincial government has issued a request for proposals for four agency liquor stores, which are operated privately. P.E.I. currently has 26 liquor outlets and is looking to expand in the areas of Bothwell, Crapaud, Hampshire, and Brackley Beach.

    cbc.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

  • Statistics Canada estimates that P.E.I.’s population is now at 167,680. The Island added 4,817 people in 2021, the highest increase in 50 years. The province has struggled to build enough homes to match its growth, with only 1,400 homes completed last year.

    cbc.ca

  • The Dental Association of P.E.I. reports a lack of dental staff is causing backlogs and cancellations. Dental assistants and hygienists play vital roles, but training is not available on the Island, which can make it harder to attract and retain staff.

    cbc.ca

  • Holland College's Summerside campus has new program that will provide skills training utilized in the food services industry for at-risk youth. The program is expected to train over 70 participants in the first year and create job opportunities.

    Guardian

  • P.E.I. has passed new legislation that will require employers to post salaries in their job ads as of June 1. It is believed that more people would apply for jobs if they knew what it paid and applicants will be able to make more informed decisions.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the P.E.I. Real Estate Association there are signs that the housing market is slowing down. Despite that the average sales price on the Island in June was $416K, 25% higher than last year. Mortgage rates have been on the rise since March.

    cbc.ca

  • Workplace Learning P.E.I. is offering a new program called ADAPT, which is a pilot project whose goal is to assess, accommodate and empower workers with learning disabilities. The aim is to help workers overcome barriers and work better in their jobs.

    cbc.ca

  • A survey by the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists reports that over half of P.E.I.'s beehives died in the winter. The reason is believed to be from an early spread of varroa mites. The lack of pollinating bees will affect crop yields.

    cbc.ca

  • Island grain producers have planted more crops this year and are expecting demand to go up, as the war in Ukraine continues. Ukraine is a major exporter of wheat. Commodity prices have gone up, but farmers are also faced with higher fuel and fertilizer costs.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-07-01 to 2022-07-07

  • Charlottetown area hotels have launched a pilot project this summer to provide a shuttle service between the airport and 12 hotels in the city. The service was started due to a shortage of ground transportation as the number of flights increase at the airport.

    cbc.ca

  • Tremploy, an organization that provides vocational and other life skills training to adults with an intellectual disability, is getting a new modern facility. The project will cost about $9.5M and is expected to open by June 2023 on Regis Duffy Drive in Charlottetown.

    cbc.ca

  • Health-care labour shortages are being felt across the Maritimes, with hospitals closing E.R.’s as staff take summer vacations. The western part of P.E.I. has basically no walk-in-clinics and if their E.R. closes, patients have to travel for over an hour for medical care.

    citynews.ca

  • The Downtown Farmers' Market returns to Charlottetown's Queen Street again on the first weekend in July. There will be 80 vendors set up selling produce, food, and crafts. Musicians have also been booked to provide entertainment.

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

  • Air Canada is reducing its summer schedule by 154 flights daily as they deal with increased demand for travel that is causing turmoil at airports nationally. The aviation industry has cited a shortage of federal security and customs officers.

    cbc.ca

  • With rising gas prices and a shortage of workers, Charlottetown's BOOMBurger is shuttling staff to its location in Cavendish and bringing them back at the end of their shift. Driving staff back and forth has also allowed the restaurant to hire younger staff.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Potato Board is concerned about the speed of the ongoing investigation into potato wart. CFIA has collected over 20,000 samples and the labs can analyze about 3,000 per month. Potatoes from P.E.I. seed growers remain banned from U.S. and Canadian markets.

    cbc.ca

  • Two Scotiabank branches in Kensington and Crapaud are slated to be closed in 2023-24, while a new larger location will be opened at 485 Granville Street in Summerside. The mayor of Ken Kensington says the closure will be a blow to the town.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. gas retailers are asking for a 3-cent increase to improve profit margins temporarily. Retail margins on the Island are about six to seven cents per litre on self-serve gas, however higher credit cards fees are cutting into retailer profits.

    cbc.ca

  • With nearly 24,000 people on P.E.I. without a family physician, demand is high at P.E.I. walk-in-clinics. The Island is faced with a doctor shortage and has gotten worse with the recent announcement that three Charlottetown doctors are closing their practices.

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

  • In an effort to recruit more doctors to the province, the P.E.I. government is now offering new doctors bigger bonuses and a shorter service commitment. P.E.I. wants more than 24 doctors and will pay a $50K bonus to doctors who set up shop for at least three years.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Summerside has bought land for a larger and updated fire station. Construction is expected to begin in 2023 and cost about $8M. The new station will have 4 trucks, a designated decontamination bay, and proper accommodations for female members.

    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

  • 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

  • P.E.I. tourism operators are trying to be more flexible and looking at new ways to attract and retain workers. Child care and transportation are two areas known to be barriers to employment, and the industry is looking to expand benefits and incentives.

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

  • La Coopérative Le Chez-Nous Ltée, a French seniors' home in Wellington., is unable to expand as planned because they couldn’t recruit any bilingual nurses. The 12 long-term beds location will instead be used for community care patients.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s film industry is hoping the arrival of a major TV show to the Island will lead to more media productions. The CBC legal drama Diggstown began filming this month. This is the first Island production since the province boosted its tax rebate up to 35%.

    cbc.ca

  • The UPEI faculty of medicine has gone through recent consultation sessions and is on track to open in the fall of 2024. It is hoped that the resulting medical school graduates will fill vacancies in the province's health-care system.

    cbc.ca

  • An internal report from the Dept of Health and Wellness states that P.E.I. needs to increase the number of long-term care beds and provide more supports for seniors in their own homes. The report also outlined differences between private and public facilities.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s midwifery program is expected to start with four full-time midwives plus a program development lead by the end of the year. Regulations have been drafted up for the midwifery profession and recruiting will begin once the regulations are passed.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Nurses' Union wants the province to start offering retention incentives to health-care workers. A shortage of staff has resulted in over 100 unused long-term beds, nurses working double shifts, and the prospect of over 300 nurses retiring this year.

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

  • P.E.I. dairy farmers state that they need an additional price hike of 2-3 cents per litre on milk to counter rising farm costs, such as soybeans and barley that are fed to the cows. In February the Canadian Dairy Commission had approved a six cents per litre hike.

    cbc.ca

  • 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

  • With travel restrictions to P.E.I. now dropped, P.E.I. National Park is seeing bookings well above pre-pandemic levels. It is expected that campgrounds will be fully booked and beaches to be busy all summer. Camping sites are already booked at 75%.

    cbc.ca

  • Over 130 tourism operators across P.E.I. are involved in a new Safe Haven health and safety certification program. The program provides guests with an enhanced sense of health and hygiene, which includes a daily cleaning checklist and inspection process.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. Tuna Charter Association states that the moratorium on commercial mackerel fishing could put an end to Island tuna charters. According to the association, tuna charters generate a lot of tourism money and depend on mackerel for bait.

    cbc.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 P.E.I. government has lifted a 20 year moratorium on high-capacity wells, which only applied to P.E.I. farmers. Farmers can apply for a license to drill a high-capacity well, but have to have a soil improvement and a drought contingency plan.

    cbc.ca
• 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

  • The P.E.I. government will introduce new transit routes this summer that will see daily buses run to the North Shore from Charlottetown and Summerside. The routes will help employees commute to work to tourism destinations in Cavendish and five other stops.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. BioAlliance hosted a career fair at the Charlottetown Convention Centre. Over a dozen bioscience companies participated in the fair, with many trying to attract specialists. Companies such as Biovectra are expanding and will be adding 120 new jobs.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal, provincial and municipal governments will provide $4.7M in funding to expand the water and sewage system between Montague and Brudenell. The mayor of Three Rivers says the work will allow for more industrial expansion and residential development.

    cbc.ca

  • Due to staffing shortages, some nurses and nurse practitioners on the Island may not be able to get any vacation this summer. Health PEI says that some could get approved later, if they can find staff to backfill positions.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2022-05-20 to 2022-05-26

  • Charlottetown Police reports that their force, as well as others across Canada are facing recruiting challenges. The chief states that there is less interest in policing and enrolment in police academies are down. Normally 8-20 officers would be hired for the summer.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal government will spend nearly $1M to go towards upgrades and renovations to the Confederation Centre of the Arts. The centre operates arts education and visual arts programs, as well as hosts concerts and performances.

    cbc.ca

  • Demolition has begun at the former site of Holland College on Granville Street in Summerside. A $23M community health centre will be constructed in the fall on five acres of the site and plans are in the works to build a 90-unit apartment building.

    cbc.ca

  • A new $69M solar farm with 65,000 solar panels is expected to be operational in Summerside by early December. There are 32 employees currently working on the project and is expected to create about 210 full-time equivalent jobs and about 21-megawatts of energy.

    cbc.ca

  • Restoration services companies in P.E.I. are struggling to recruit restoration technicians to do repair work on buildings that have been damaged by water, fire and other means. Most of the training to become a technician happens on the job.

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

  • A new $3M program is being offered to P.E.I. potato seed growers that have lost seed potato sales as a result of potato wart. To qualify growers have to reduce their seed potato acreage by 10% and plant soil-building crops this season.

    cbc.ca

  • Cavendish tourism operators are struggling to find staff and rising gas prices is one of the reasons. Many of the staff live in Charlottetown, which is about 40 kilometres from Cavendish. Business owners are offering up to $2 more an hour as an incentive.

    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

  • According to the P.E.I. Real Estate Association the average price of a P.E.I. home was $414.7K, which 20% higher than April 2021. However inventory levels for April 2022, were 17% lower than they were compared to the same time last year.

    cbc.ca

  • The Wind and Reef restaurant in North Cape, P.E.I. won’t open this summer due to staffing shortages. The restaurant offered up to $20 an hour to attract cooks last summer and never got a response. Other restaurants are looking to cut their business hours.

    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
• Week of 2022-05-06 to 2022-05-12

  • 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

  • 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

  • UPEI had its first in-person convocation in two years for its nursing and veterinary medicine graduates, both professions that are high in demand. Health P.E.I. will hire about 36 nursing grads, with the worst shortages being in acute care and long-term care.

    cbc.ca

  • 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

  • Growers Station, a new non-profit distribution and sales platform, helps local organic farmers to sell their product to P.E.I. restaurants. The service mainly sells produce to wholesale customers, but plan to expand their products and sell to retail customers.

    cbc.ca

  • Operators in Cavendish, one of P.E.I.'s busiest tourism locations, are hoping that they can keep up with demand this summer. Chez Yvonne's Restaurant and Maritime Fun Group have been busy hiring and training new staff, while Eagles Glenn golf course have seen a huge uptake in the game.

    Guardian

  • P.E.I. musicians are still finding it a challenge to tour, despite relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. The risk of cancelled shows due to COVID is still there and travel costs have also risen. As a result some artists have quit the business or work closer to home.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government has removed the rules requiring masks to be worn in most indoor public spaces, except for hospitals, long-term homes, public transit, and on school buses. Businesses can set their own rules on mask-wearing for staff and visitors.

    cbc.ca

  • Holland College and UPEI will be raising tuition fees by 2% this fall. At Holland College, first year international students will see a 14% hike in tuition. All UPEI students will pay an extra 2%, including international students and Atlantic Veterinary College students.

    cbc.ca