What do the stats say?

All statistics are from the Nova Scotia Finance and Treasury Board. Year-to-date change in unemployment rates (unadjusted for seasonal changes):

CAPE BRETON 14.6%-14.3%

Employment increased 1,600, labour force increased 1,600.

NORTH SHORE 9.2%-7.1%

Employment increased 1,300, labour force decreased 300.

ANNAPOLIS 7.4%-6.7%

Employment increased 600, labour force increased 900.

SOUTHERN 6.9%-7.9%

Employment decreased 1,000, labour force decreased 500

HALIFAX 6.4%-5.4%

Employment increased 8,100, labour force increased 5,900.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment decreased in six provinces in the last year (Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta).

Unemployment increased in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.

Lowest unemployment rate: B.C. (4.7 per cent)

Highest unemployment rate: Newfoundland and Labrador (11.1 per cent)

Nova Scotia unemployment rate: 8.0 per cent

EMPLOYMENT

Employment increased in all provinces. Largest per cent gains in BC (+3.1 per cent), Ontario (+2.8 per cent), and Nova Scotia (+2.4 per cent). N.B. employment increased 0.7 per cent over last year.

OCTOBER

Unadjusted for seasonal changes:

Unemployment rate in Halifax: 5.9 per cent

Unemployment rate in N.S. Overall: 7.7 per cent

Employment rate Halifax: 64.6 per cent

Employment rate N.S. Overall: 57.6 per cent

Job vacancies in N.S.: 13,100 Most jobs available (4,795) are in sales and service occupations. The next most vacancies were in Trades, transport, and equipment operators (1,725).

In terms of experience required, by far most jobs (7,935) require less than 1 year of experience.

Average wage offered in

N.S.: $18/hour (up from $16.95 one year ago)

Average wage offered in Canada: $21.30 (up from $20.65 on year ago)

Average wage offered in sales and service: $13.50 (lowest)

Average wage offered in management: $28.70 (highest).