Nanaimo May Jobless Rate Still Alarming

---

16% Jobless In Nanaimo For Third Month

Statistics released from Stats Canada show that the jobless rate in Nanaimo is still quite concerning sitting at double the provincial and national average for the third month running.

I have not been able to find anyone, including our MLA who can shed any light on the situation, those you think might know what is happening, seem just as much in the dark as I am.

Some plausible reasons for the concerning stats would include a number of people who simply have seen their EI benefits run out or perhaps it could be the result of people who tried to start their own businesses only to find it was not as easy as they had hoped. Nationally, a large number of the recently reported job increases are coming from people becoming self employed rather than from business expansion.

There are still jobs listed on the Help Wanted Page at www.nanaimo-info.com which is visited by approximately 1000 people daily. However, from the job seekers I have talked to, the competition for even the least desirable jobs is absolutely fierce.

Nanaimo's two hottest sectors, retail and construction are both having difficulty. The retail sector will no doubt feel the result of the largest Island Costco opening in the Comox Valley at the first of this month. This will result in thousands of North Island shoppers no longer coming to the Nanaimo Costco Store to shop. A large shopping centre and future hospital planned for the Comox Valley in coming years means that Comox could soon rival Nanaimo in short order.

The construction sector in Nanaimo while not completely stalled is in pretty tough shape if you work in that sector. Reports of framers being glad to work for $15 an hour, if they can find work, compared to the $30 - $35 an hour earned during Nanaimo's 'boom', also tells a story.

In spite of this reality, city council and city staff are seemingly oblivious to what is happening in Nanaimo, as demonstrated by their recent decision to spend $16,000,000 on a new 'Cadillac' style office for city staff.