Statistics — 30% of Nova Scotia Businesses Report Shortage in Skilled Labour (Q3 Survey)

Business Expectations:
- Looking over the next 12 months, 8% of Nova Scotia business respondents felt very or somewhat optimistic about business conditions while 8.1% were not optimistic.
- Looking over the next three months, Business profitability is expected to remain the same for 55.7% of Nova Scotia businesses, while 15.0% expect rising profitability and 23.9% expect decreasing profitability.
Obstacles:
- 2% of Nova Scotia businesses report shortages of skilled labour.
  - This was more acute in construction, retail, transportation/warehousing, administrative/support, health/social and accommodation/food.
  - Across Canada, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and British Columbia businesses report greater obstacles from labour shortage.
- 0% of Nova Scotia businesses report obstacles from recruiting skilled labour.
  - The obstacle was more sizable for construction, administrative/support and accommodation/food businesses as well as among larger Nova Scotia businesses.
  - Across Canada, recruitment of skilled labour was an obstacle for more businesses in Quebec, British Columbia and the Maritimes.
  - 2% of Nova Scotia businesses reported cash flow and debt management as an obstacle, particularly in accommodation/food, arts/recreation and construction businesses.

LEARN MORE: For more statistics, details and definitions from this survey, please click here.