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Halifax sees biggest employment spike in a decade: report
Halifax sees biggest employment spike in a decade: report

CTV News

time16 hours ago

  • Business
  • CTV News

Halifax sees biggest employment spike in a decade: report

Halifax enjoyed its largest employment growth in a decade last year, according to a new report that tracks labour, population, affordability, real estate and education in the Maritime city. The Halifax Index 2025, presented by TD, explores how the city fared in 2024 through eight key factors: people, labour, economy, communities, affordability, well-being, real estate and a scorecard. It also compares Halifax with nine major benchmark Canadian cities: St. John's, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. 'A degree of moderation was evident in 2024, as population growth in Halifax slowed, the housing market eased slightly, and inflation declined allowing the Bank of Canada to start lowering interest rates,' the report reads. 'These factors contributed to greater purchasing power for Halifax residents and businesses after three consecutive years of decline. 'This forecast, however, was issued prior to the return of President Donald Trump to office in the United States. His threats and chaotic behaviour have caused confusion and elevated risk in the world economy, with Canada among the nations potentially affected most. The only certainty for 2025 would appear to be continued uncertainty with significant downside risks.' Labour The report says Halifax added 13,900 new jobs in 2024, the biggest increase since 2014. It also recorded a record high total employment of 277,400. Much of the employment growth was led by jobs in public administration (more than 4,500) and health care and social assistance (more than 3,900). Halifax had the second lowest unemployment rate among the benchmark cities, tied with Winnipeg and below Quebec City. Halifax lost jobs in: manufacturing: 1,200 professional, scientific and technical services: 1,300 information, culture and recreation: 1,200 forestry, mining, fishing, quarrying, oil and gas: 300 Population Halifax's population finally reached half a million in July 2024, but its growth rate fell to 2.4 per cent compared to 3.9 per cent in 2023. Its growth rate was the lowest among the benchmark cities. Overall the population grew by fewer than 12,000 people in 2024. 'Population growth was driven entirely by international migration,' the report reads. 'Natural growth, interprovincial migration, and intraprovincial migration figures were all negative. 'In 2024, the federal government introduced a series of tighter immigration measures including a cap on work permits and a new quota for study permits. As a result, Halifax admitted only 26,635 international migrants in 2024, a 4% drop compared to the previous year.' Economy Halifax's 2.6 per cent GDP growth rate was the second highest among the benchmark cities, according to the report. 'While Halifax's economy grew in 2024, GDP per capita did not,' the report reads. 'The pie got bigger, but each of the municipality's residents got a smaller slice. Productivity metrics remain less than encouraging. 'Cargo figures were down in 2024, at both Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the Port of Halifax, but air-passenger numbers continued to climb toward pre-pandemic levels. Cruise vessel and passenger figures, as well as total room nights sold, reached new record highs in 2024.' The report says Halifax saw positive growth in retail sales, but manufacturing sales fell after a three-year upward trend. Affordability Halifax enjoyed a six per cent increase in per capita income in 2024, but its poverty rate is at 13.3 per cent, behind only Toronto among the benchmark cities. The median child-care costs for infants in Halifax is $529 per month, which is in the middle of pack among the benchmark cities. More to come… For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page

MMEA seizes nearly RM830,000 in controlled items from boat off Sandakan
MMEA seizes nearly RM830,000 in controlled items from boat off Sandakan

The Star

time3 days ago

  • The Star

MMEA seizes nearly RM830,000 in controlled items from boat off Sandakan

Malaysian Maritime personnel inspecting petrol drums and gas cylinders seized from a kumpit boat off Sandakan waters. SANDAKAN: Personnel from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized controlled items valued at nearly RM830,000 from a boat allegedly attempting to smuggle them to a neighbouring country off the coast of Sandakan. Sandakan Maritime Zone director Capt Muhamad Suhairy Hussain reported that the vessel was intercepted approximately 0.8 nautical miles from Tanjung Aru waters late Sunday (July 20), following suspicious behaviour. "Aboard the boat were a skipper and seven foreign crew members aged between 27 and 50 who failed to produce valid travel documents," he stated. Additionally, six passengers — four men and two women believed to be foreign nationals aged between 16 and 41 — were found on the vessel. Further inspection revealed 250 blue drums containing 50,000 litres of petrol, 15 drums filled with 3,000 litres of diesel, and 120 gas cylinders of various brands, all lacking valid declaration documents. The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1962, Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, and Immigration Act 1959/63. Suhairy emphasised that the operation demonstrates the agency's ongoing commitment to combat smuggling and safeguard Malaysian waters.

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