Labour Market News

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

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

• Week of 2024-03-29 to 2024-04-04

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    globalnews.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

    canada.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    canada.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    canada.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    canada.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    Guardian

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    citynews.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    princeedwardisland.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    Chronicle Herald

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

    cbc.ca

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

    Telegram

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    Other Sources

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    canada.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    thewave.ca

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

    canada.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    globalnews.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    vocm.com

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    Guardian

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    Guardian

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    thewave.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    Globe & Mail

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

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

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    canada.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    charlottefm.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    canada.ca

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

    Chronicle Herald
• Week of 2023-09-15 to 2023-09-21

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

    Telegram

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

    Other Sources

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    canada.ca
• Week of 2023-09-08 to 2023-09-14

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

    cbc.ca

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    Guardian

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

    cbc.ca

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

    thelogic.co

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

    Cape Breton Post

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

    cbc.ca

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

    Guardian

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

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

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

    cbc.ca

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

    ctvnews.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca

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

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

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

    Other Sources

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

    cbc.ca

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

    theglobeandmail.com

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

    cbc.ca

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

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-07-28 to 2023-08-03

  • A new P.E.I. business called Storm Organic Plant Nutrition gathers seaweed from P.E.I. beaches and packages it for sale as a plant fertilizer. The seaweed is primarily collected from beaches on the western side of the Island.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of P.E.I. Internship Program is now accepting applications for public service opportunities. The program offers temporary one-year assignments and extensive training for recent post-secondary graduates (last 36 months).

    Guardian

  • T3 Transit will get $22.7M in funding from three levels of government for seven new electric and three diesel buses, and to expand the bus depot in Charlottetown. The facility expansion is expected to be completed late in 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • The Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. reports that tourism figures for the month of July and are not as good as was expected, with inflation and ferry issues having an impact.

    cbc.ca

  • The province has made amendments to the Building Codes Act Regulations to help reduce wait times for building permits and to help increase development on the Island.

    princeedwardisland.ca

  • The Annual Statistical Review shows that P.E.I. continues to grow. The Island’s population grew by 3.6%, employment rose 5.4%, total income went up 10%, farm cash receipts increased 36.7%, retail sales jumped 8.3%, and international exports climbed by 17.2%.

    princeedwardisland.ca
• Week of 2023-07-21 to 2023-07-27

  • The Government of Canada has announced a funding agreement worth over $5M with P.E.I. to continue to improve access to home and community care, as well as mental health and addiction services.

    canada.ca

  • The P.E.I. Government has announced $25K in funding to each of the following 5 local start-up businesses to launch new products - QuestRead, Sport4TV (curling technology), Finix (clothing), Salty Mountain Clothing, and Upcycle Green Technology. The next round of funding applications will open in the fall.

    cbc.ca

  • The new $79M high school set to be built in Stratford is estimated to cost about $28M over original estimates and is slated to open in fall 2025. It will be "net-zero ready" and fully electric and will include a 2-storey library with a café, sports fields, space for outdoor classrooms and vehicle charging stations.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. is aiming to have Atlantic Canada's first 2 net-zero schools in 2025 with the announcement of a retrofit at Cardigan Consolidated School and the new Sherwood School. Retrofits include solar panels and a geothermal system to provide heating and cooling. The retrofit will cost $1.8M.

    cbc.ca

  • In June, the P.E.I. Government announced changes allowing physician's assistants and associate physicians to be licensed and practice on the Island. However, with only 3 post-secondary institutions in Canada offering the 2-year program with around 80 graduates a year, they are in short supply.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-07-14 to 2023-07-20

  • Construction of the new $18.5M RCMP district office in Cornwall, is underway and expected to open in March 2024. The new facility will have more storage and holding cells, and be a base for police dog and forensics identification services.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government has bought the East Isle Shipyard and is exploring opportunities for the vacant Georgetown shipyard. The shipyard had previously built tugboats, but the plan is to explore economic and residential opportunities for the property.

    cbc.ca

  • Nav Canada, which oversees Canada's air traffic controllers, says it's recruiting and training over 400 new staff in order to address a labour shortage across Canada. During the pandemic Nav Canada cut 720 jobs and terminated its training program.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada released figures showing that Canada’s inflation rate rose 2.8% year over year in June. P.E.I. had the lowest year-over-year increase at 0.2%, while Newfoundland and Labrador’s inflation rate was 1.7%, N.S. was 1.9%, and N.B. was 2.1%.

    thewave.ca

  • P.E.I. is proposing changes to Early Learning and Childcare Act regulations that would allow up to 125 children, as well as more infants at a centre if it has a 3:1 ratio. Some child-care centres would like to expand, but say government help is needed.

    cbc.ca

  • Those that are involved in P.E.I.'s video game industry say that the industry is thriving and has opportunities for junior-mid-level jobs and people straight out of school. Innovation P.E.I. also helps assist Island gaming companies to grow.

    Telegram

  • CBC has done a review of exit interviews from P.E.I. doctors and found that workload, burnout and lack of support were the most common reasons given. Since the start of 2022, 13 Island doctors retired and another 16 resigned.

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

  • P.E.I. has a about a dozen patient medical homes either in operation or in the development stage on the Island. The collaborative model includes at least one doctor and other health-care workers, such as nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency found potato wart in a P.E.I. field in Prince County. The field didn’t produce any potatoes in 2022. The P.E.I. Potato Board says only four positive samples out of 50,000 have been found since 2021.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the P.E.I. Real Estate Association, the Island’s housing market is beginning to moderate with prices down 3.2% compared to 2022 and inventory slightly higher. Home prices have tripled since 2005, with the average sale price now at $382,440.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s Amalgamated Dairies Limited is buying out Charlottetown-based Purity Dairy. Purity has been around since the mid-1940s providing various dairy products, as well as plant-based oats and barley beverages. Details of the deal were not released.

    cbc.ca

  • The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1928 have rejected Maritime Electric's contract offer and are in a legal position to strike. Staff include line technicians, meter readers and customer service reps, with the main issue being wages.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-06-30 to 2023-07-06

  • A new Indigenous art store has opened in Charlottetown called Indigenous P.E.I. The store sells artwork made by artisans from Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations, and also has a space for small events and demonstrations.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I. farmers say that heavy rainfall and limited sun is leading to delays in crops being harvested. The fields are so wet that potato farmers can’t get their machinery in the fields and are concerned about fungal diseases.

    cbc.ca

  • Statistics Canada reports that P.E.I.’s population grew by 2,159 from Jan. 1 to March 1, while that same period saw only 123 housing starts, the lowest number of housing starts since 2019. About 55% of P.E.I.'s growth came from immigration to Canada.

    cbc.ca

  • The Electric Vehicle (EV) Association of Atlantic Canada says that with the carbon tax driving up fuel costs, there should be increased interest in people buying EVs. Rebates for EVs can also be as high as $10K in provinces like N.S. and N.B.

    globalnews.ca

  • Charlottetown’s The Shed Coffee is offering a new canned coffee line called Kool Brew and is also expanding its production capacity, including a new larger roastery that is currently being built.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-06-23 to 2023-06-29

  • Fisheries and Oceans has announced that it will double the redfish experimental quota in Atlantic Canada, but N.S.-based Ka'le Bay Seafoods states that there is already too much redfish in the market and this will cause the price to drop.

    Telegram

  • Ottawa announced a new express entry stream for health professionals in the economic immigration program. Invitations will go to foreign doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and optometrists to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s Maritime Christian College has sold its former building at 503 University Avenue and its 1.3 hectare property in Charlottetown, and will now offers instruction entirely online. Gray Group plans to redevelop the land for over 200 units of housing.

    cbc.ca

  • Many airlines are struggling to find qualified pilots, due to a limited labour supply and greater demand for air travel. Transport Canada says about 1,100 pilot licences were granted annually prior to the pandemic, compared to under 500 in 2020 and 238 in 2022.

    vocm.com

  • P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking to hire full-time and part-time workers, especially as it attempts to fill the large number of recent retirements. Positions include teachers, bus drivers, counsellors, and youth workers.

    cbc.ca

  • Work has begun on the first building to be built in in the Summerside Business Commons Eco Park. The 16,000 ft2 energy efficient facility will cost about $7.6M and will serve as an incubator space for research and manufacturing when completed next summer.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-06-16 to 2023-06-22

  • The Island is faced with government staffing shortages, which is adding to construction delays. Charlottetown is short five staff and looking to hire in its planning department and there's also a shortage of provincial building inspectors.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I.'s trucking and shipping industry say they are facing higher costs due to the ferry service being shut down until at least July 10, due to mechanical issues. Eastern P.E.I. business are feeling the impact, with a loss of traffic and tourist money as well.

    cbc.ca

  • New research by TD Bank has found that more women with young children are joining the Canadian labour force, due to more flexible work environments and better access to child care. The participation rate has increased to 78.8%, since the summer of 2020.

    Globe & Mail

  • P.E.I.’s MDS Coating Technologies (MCT), a Slemon Park aerospace company, will expand operations with the aid of $10.4M in government funding. The funds will go toward a 15,000 ft2 addition to house more coating machines and will create about 20 new jobs.

    Telegram

  • Charlottetown’s Lightning Bolt Comics and Games is closing down after 24 years in business. The store had suffered damage from post-tropical storm Fiona, but increased shipping costs and rising inflation led to the closure.

    cbc.ca

  • Over 35,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada employed at the Canada Revenue Agency have ratified new collective agreements with the Treasury Board of Canada. The deal includes wage increases of 12.6% over 4 years and protections against contracting out.

    vocm.com
• Week of 2023-06-09 to 2023-06-15

  • Artisans and craft makers on P.E.I. say that they are seeing strong sales heading into the summer, which they hope will cover rising costs of supplies. With increased shipping costs and some items almost tripling in price, retail prices have also gone up.

    cbc.ca

  • Charlottetown has awarded a $12.5M tender to Fitzgerald and Snow, to complete work on the new Simmons Sports Centre and pool. The overall cost is expected to be $31M and will include an NHL-sized arena, a walking track, and a new outdoor pool.

    cbc.ca

  • APEC reports have identified over 500 major capital projects in the region this year, with an investment value of $225 billion, which is 48% higher than in 2022. There are concerns about a shortage of labour and worker retention, due in part to lack of housing and healthcare issues.

    charlottefm.ca

  • P.E.I.’s Department of Health and Wellness is taking steps to speed up the recognition of credentials from foreign-trained nurses from seven different countries. Nurses would complete 3-4 months of practical training, then take their licensing test.

    cbc.ca

  • The national unemployment rate rose to 5.2% last month, the first increase since August of last year. New Brunswick's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.1% as a 1,200 increase in employment was coupled with a matching increase in the size of its labour force. The P.E.I. labour market lost 500 jobs and saw its unemployment rate increase slightly to 7.2%.

    charlottefm.ca

  • Holland College is developing 12 new micro-credential programs geared to prepare students for green economy jobs. The courses range in duration, from 15 hours to five weeks. It is hoped that the courses will help fill a growing need in the labour force.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-06-02 to 2023-06-08

  • Prince Edward Island's paramedics' union has reached a new collective agreement with Island EMS, which will bring Island wages in line with paramedics in other Atlantic provinces. Wages will increase by over 25% in three years.

    cbc.ca

  • The P.E.I. government will provide $1M to the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery in Charlottetown, so it can expand its tree seedling production facility, which is the largest on the Island. It will add three new greenhouses and increase production to 1.3M trees per year.

    cbc.ca

  • The Town of Three Rivers and Montague's Inclusions East facilities will receive accessibility upgrades with the help of $3.5M in federal and provincial funding. The organization provides employment services, vocational training, and other services.

    Guardian

  • Holland College will increase its tuition by 2% in the new school year, as it struggles to balance its budget. Among all colleges in Atlantic Canada, its tuition for domestic students is the highest.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-05-26 to 2023-06-01

  • P.E.I. cattle producers are looking to expand their herds as beef prices go up. The province is looking to help by introduce a price assurance program, which would help farmers mitigate risk. A recent survey reported that 56% want to grow, but cost is a barrier.

    cbc.ca

  • A new survey from BDO Debt Solutions reports that over 25% of Canadians are considering taking on extra work (or a second job) to pay down their debts. It also states that about a third of Canadians find themselves so deep in debt that they are not sure what to do about it.

    thewave.ca

  • Ottawa has launched a category-based selection for Canada’s economic immigration management system, Express Entry. Special focus will be on workers with French or experience in healthcare, trades, transport, agriculture and STEM professions.

    canada.ca

  • P.E.I. is falling short of its goal to build 2,000 new housing units per year, as it struggles to keep up with population growth and attract skilled workers. The construction median wage in P.E.I. is about $2 lower than the next closest Atlantic province.

    cbc.ca

  • P.E.I has released its latest budget, with health spending projected to exceed $1B, adding 100 positions for new medical homes. About $103M will go towards Education, which should help with the creation of 100 new positions.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2023-05-19 to 2023-05-25

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
• Week of 2023-05-12 to 2023-05-18

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • 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
• Week of 2023-05-05 to 2023-05-11

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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

  • 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 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 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

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
• Week of 2023-04-21 to 2023-04-27

  • 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

  • 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
• Week of 2023-04-14 to 2023-04-20

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
• Week of 2023-04-07 to 2023-04-13

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
• Week of 2023-03-31 to 2023-04-06

  • 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

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • 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
• 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

  • 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

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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

  • 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

  • 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
• Week of 2023-03-03 to 2023-03-09

  • 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

  • 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