Job Market Trends and News

Source: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/LMI_bulletin.do?cid=3373&AREA=25262&INDUSTRYCD=&EVENTCD=

Week of Nov 24 – Nov 28, 2014

• Western Securities is planning to start redevelopment of the Stadium Shopping Centre in Calgary by early 2016, with completion in 2021. The site is slated for a hotel, retail space and up to 350 residential units.
• The Government of Alberta has recently announced $160M in new funding for upgrades to seniors lodges in rural areas across the province
• Fort McKay Logistics has recently opened a warehouse and office facility in Edmonton, primarily to service oil sands companies. The trucking and delivery company, fully owned by the Fort McKay First Nation, has 40 employees in the city with plans for further expansion.
• The Government of Alberta has completed a deal to purchase the Willow Square lands in Fort McMurray from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The land transfer will allow the construction of affordable and seniors housing on the site.
• The City of Airdrie will be providing $762,548 under the Family and Community Support Services to six agencies for program funding in 2015
• The City of Airdrie is expecting to receive $2.69M from the Gas Tax Fund this year, with the monies earmarked for a range of infrastructure projects
• WestJet Airlines has failed to reach a settlement with its 2,600 flight attendants after a tentative deal was recently rejected following a membership vote. The airline plans further meetings with the flight attendants for dispute resolution.
• The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors is forecasting a 10% decline in drilling activity in 2015. The association is predicting a reduction in both the number of drilled wells and in operating days.
• The Mullen Group, based out of Okotoks, is expecting to close a deal in early 2015 that will see it acquire the assets of Gardewine Group. The acquisition will add 1,500 employees and 140 owner-operators.
• Embassy BOSA is starting construction in February 2015 on a $120M tower as part of the redevelopment of Mount Royal Village in Calgary. The project includes 233 residences, a grocery store, retail and office spaces.
• Reitmans, a national women’s clothing retailer, is closing 31 of its Smart Set stores across the country and converting another 76 stores to the Reitmans brand
• The Town of Banff is planning to hire an economic prosperity coordinator in January 2015, to implement a retail strategy for the community. The position will also collaborate with the tourism sector to generate economic data for the town.
• The $5.1M Eastgate development in Bonnyville, currently under construction, is scheduled for a new hotel, apartment complex, commercial and retail spaces. The project is expected to be completed by 2016 or 2017.
• Rocky View Schools recently held sod-turning ceremonies for three new schools in the area, all scheduled to open in 2016. Two of the schools are in Airdrie and one is in Cochrane.
• The University of Alberta, along with government and industry partners, has established a $15M laboratory to discover new techniques for hydrocarbon recovery. The facility will employ technicians, graduate students and research associates.
• La Maison Simons, a retail fashion store, is scheduled to open at the CORE Shopping Centre in Calgary in March 2017
• Northwestern Air Lease is providing direct flights between Grande Prairie and Red Deer starting December 1, 2014. The airline is initially offering four flights a week between the two cities and also exploring additional destinations.
• The Town of Blackfalds has increased its snow removal budget to $100,000 for the 2014-2015 winter season. The majority of the cost is for contracted services for graders and snow hauling.
• Tilted Kilt, a restaurant and pub franchise, is looking for another 40 employees for a new location in Lloydminster, with the opening planned for December 1, 2014
• Pioneer Lodge, a seniors care facility in Lloydminster, is scheduled for a 40-bed extension with a step-up in the level of care necessitating additional personal care aides and minimal nursing oversight
• The Strathcona Community Hospital has been increasing services and adding staff since its opening on May 21, 2014. A dermatology clinic is scheduled to open in the near future, while clinic hours are being expanded for some services due to high patient demand.
• Telus is planning to upgrade its service levels throughout Strathcona County and improve wireless coverage by adding antenna sites in the rural areas
• The Town of Sundre is expecting to start a $1.5M multi-phase road construction project in 2015