N.S. Vital Signs 2011 Report

8/4/2019 N.S. Vital Signs 2011 Report

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ns-vital-signs-2011-report 1/31

2011 Taking the Pulse of our Province



Created by and for the people of Nova Scoa, the Community Foundaon of Nova Scoa is a public

charitable foundaon which enables eecve philanthropy. We work with private donors, businesses,communies and charitable organizaons to build the nancial and social capital that our communies

need, both today and tomorrow. We do that by smulang charitable giving, establishing permanent

endowment funds and supporng iniaves that make an ongoing dierence in communies

throughout Nova Scoa.

Our Vision

Our Vision is to be a comprehensive centre for philanthropy that inspires all Nova Scoans to play a role

in shaping the future of our communies and our province.

In our vision, Nova Scoans acvely make a dierence in our communies by working with the

Foundaon to:

Build the nancial assets which make things possible

Use eecve tools like Vital Signs® to idenfy community need

Employ praccal and innovave methods to generate common soluons

Share knowledge that will benet local communies and all of Nova Scoa

This report and more is available at www.cfns.ca



Table of Contents

Nova Scoa At A Glance .......................... 4

Shared Prosperity .................................... 6

Health and Wellness ................................10

Environment ............................................14

Learning ...................................................16

Safety .......................................................20

Economy...................................................24

Sense of Belonging...................................28

Contributors .............................................30

Nova Scoa’s Vital Signs® provides a portrait, in numbers, of Nova

Scoa society. Drawing from several authoritave sources, these

“vital signs” describe, in a naonal context, how Nova Scoans are

doing in terms of income, demographics, health, security, learning,

environment and overall life sasfacon, among other indicators.

Why does it maer? It maers because a well-founded

understanding of where we are is the rst essenal step in geng to

where we want to be. It maers because an informed cizenry is a

prerequisite for construcve community acon. And it maers simply

because these vital signs will spark our curiosity – why are we behind

on this, or ahead on that? These quesons will smulate us to look

behind the numbers: to understand the “whys” and not just the

“whats.”

With these province-wide vital signs as a roadmap, the next step is to

zoom in on a parcular county or community – turning up the

resoluon on the stascal microscope, as it were. In fact, the

present provincial-level project was movated by two earlier Vital

Signs® studies led by Community Funds in Wolfville and LunenburgCounty. These two communies discovered many surprising and

important things about themselves. More importantly, both are now

using what they learned to work collaboravely with others at the

local level to eect posive social change. Over me, this can be

repeated throughout the province.

The “vital signs” you will nd recorded here are just “numbers”. It is

not the purpose of this document to analyze these data and to explain

their causes and their signicance. They are signs along the road. It is

up to Nova Scoans to discover where they lead.

Peter J. Nicholson, PhD, CM

Allison Kouzovnikov, BA LLB MBA

Introduction



At a Glance

In 2006, at 41.8 years, the median age in Nova Scoa had increased by 3.0

years from 38.8 in 2001. Nova Scoa’s 2006 median age was 5.8% higher than

the naonal level of 39.5 years.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/XI-4.pdf

Median Age

In 2006, the populaon of visible minories in Nova Scoa was 37,685 people,

or 4.2% of the total populaon. Nova Scoa’s proporon was 74.3% below the

naonal proporon of 16.2%. From 2001 to 2006, the populaon of visible

minories in Nova Scoa grew 9.2% from 34,525 to 37,685.


Proportion Classied as a Visible Minority

In 2006, the foreign-born populaon in Nova Scoa was 45,195 people, or

5.0% of the total populaon. Nova Scoa’s proporon was 74.7% below the

naonal proporon of 19.8%. Nova Scoa’s foreign-born populaon grew 9.4%

from 41,320 in 2001 to 45,195 in 2006.


Proportion of Immigrants

On July 1, 2010, Nova Scoa had a populaon of 942,506, up 0.4% from

939,124 in 2009. The 2010 total represented 2.8% of Canada’s populaon

(34,108,752). From 2001 to 2010, Nova Scoa’s populaon grew 0.1% on

average annually, compared to 1.1% naonally.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/XI-1-ii.pdf

Population Size and Growth

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Did you know?

Nova Scoa is the second most densely

populated province in Canada.

Nova Scoa has 18 counes and 55

municipal units.

From 2001 to 2010, there was a net natural increase of 3,428 (excess of births over deaths), a net in-migraon of 17,608 people

from other countries and a net out-migraon of 13,691 to elsewhere in Canada. Overall, Nova Scoa gained 7,345 people.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/VI-1-c.pdf

Migration and Components of Population

In 2006, 40.8% of Nova Scoans lived in Halifax, followed by 11.6% in Cape Breton and 6.6% in Kings. The total populaon of the ve

smallest counes by populaon size (Victoria, Guysborough, Richmond, Queens and Shelburne) comprised less than 6% of the

provincial populaon.

Source: hp://www.gov.ns.ca/nance/communitycounts/default.asp

Population Distribution (County Level)

In 2010, the municipalies whose populaons had grown the most over the previous four years were the Towns of Wolfville (+8.4%),

Truro (+8.2%), Middleton (+7.1%) and the Halifax Regional Municipality (+5.5%). The municipalies whose populaons had declined

the most were the Towns of Annapolis Royal (-15.2%), Oxford (-14.7%) and Lockeport (-13.1%). The average for all municipalies

was -4.3%.

Source: hp://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/indicators/public/AdHocSelecon.asp

Population Change (Municipal Level)


French Spoken at Home (County Level, 2006)

Top three (by proportionate size) Bottom three (by proportionate size)

1. Digby (29.5%) 1. Queens (0.0%)

2. Yarmouth (12.5%) 2. Cumberland (0.1%)

3. Richmond (11.8%) 3. Victoria (0.1%)

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Shared Prosperity

In 2009, the average household expenditure in Nova Scoa was $60,867, compared to $71,117 naonally. Consumpon costs (costs

related to food, shelter, transportaon, clothing, etc.) totalled $44,634 (73.3%) of Nova Scoans’ total expenditures, followed by

personal income taxes at $11,090 (18.2%), insurance and pension contribuons at $3,681 (6.0%) and gis/contribuons at $1,462

(2.4%). Naonally, consumpon costs totalled $50,734 (71.3%) of Canadians’ total expenditures, followed by personal income taxes

at $14,399 (20.2%), insurance and pension contribuons at $4,269 (6.0%) and gis/contribuons at $1,715 (2.4%).

Source: Survey of Household Spending ( hp://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/famil16b-eng.htm)

Average Household Expenditures

Why It Maers: When there is a large gap between the rich and poor in our community, we

are all aected. A large gap can lead to social problems, like health disparies and crime. It

can also diminish economic growth if it means that the province is not fully using the skills and

capabilies of all its cizens.

Top three Bottom three

1. Halifax ($66,867) 1. Guysborough ($41,358)

2. Angonish ($57,234) 2. Digby ($44,214)

3. Hants ($55,635) 3. Queens ($45,420)

Median Before-Tax Income for Census Families by County (2006)


County Males Females Dierence

1. Shelburne $29,358 $15,625 $13,733 or 46.8%

2. Hants $33,540 $18,180 $15,360 or 45.8%

3. Queens $28,308 $15,913 $12,395 or 43.8%

Greatest Dierent in Median Incomes between Males and Females, Top Three Counties (2006)


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Low income thresholds are commonly known as poverty rates. Rates quoted below are based on the Market Basket Measure, Aer -

Tax, 2008 base. For a comparison of these rates using the Low Income Cut Os or Low Income Measures, please see the full report

online at www.cfns.ca.

Low Income Thresholds / Poverty Rates

Did you know?

In 2007, 98% of seniors in Nova Scoa

received Old Age Security, compared to

96% naonally, while 93% of seniors in

Nova Scoa received the Canada Pension

Plan, compared to 90% naonally.

In 2009, the overall poverty rate in Nova Scoa was 13.1%, down 7.7% from

14.2% in 2000. Nova Scoa’s 2009 rate was 23.6% higher than the naonal

rate of 10.6%.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/I-2-c-iv.pdf

Overall Poverty Rate

In 2009, the child poverty rate in Nova Scoa was 14.4%, down 14.8% from

16.9% in 2000. Nova Scoa’s 2009 rate was 24.1% higher than the naonal

rate of 11.6%.

Source: http://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/I- 3-c-iv.pdf

Child Poverty Rate

In 2009, the elderly poverty rate in Nova Scoa was 8.7%, up 8.7% from 8.0%

in 2000. Nova Scoa’s 2009 rate was 107.1% higher than the naonal rate of

4.2%.

Source: http://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/I-4-c-iv.pdf

Elderly Poverty Rate

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Shared Prosperity

Did you know?

There is growing evidence concerning the

link between higher incomes, nutrional

status and beer health, showing that as

family incomes increase so does the

quanty and nutrional quality of the

food purchased. As income decreases,

households are less likely to purchase

fruits, vegetables and milk products.

In 2010, a typical lone mother of three children who works for minimum wage or receives Income Assistance in Nova Scoa will have

a monthly decit of $448 and $392 respecvely, if she purchases a nutrious diet aer covering her basic monthly living expenses of

shelter, ulies, telephone, transportaon, clothing and footwear, childcare, personal care expenses, and household cleaning

supplies.

Source: Can Nova Scoans Aord to Eat Healthy? (Report Released May 2011)

National Nutritious Food Basket Aordability in Nova Scotia: Lone Mothers

In March 2010, 22,573 people were assisted by food banks in Nova Scoa, up 11.0% from 20,344 in 2009. In addion to this, 134,940

meals are served each month at soup kitchens and meal programs throughout the province.

Source: March 2010 and 2009 HungerCount surveys, hp://www.feednovascoa.ca/hungerfacts_stats.html

Food Bank Usage

Food security refers to the nancial ability of households to access adequate

food and is strongly related to household income.

In 2007, 8.7% of Nova Scoans reported being moderately or severely food

insecure. This is 22.5% higher than the naonal level of 7.1%.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/VIII-12.pdf

Household Food Security Status

The percentage of food bank users in

Nova Scoa who reported employ-

ment income in 2010.

(Can Nova Scoans Aord to Eat

Healthy? May 2011) 12%

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Sex Age (years) Cost per Week ($) Boy 2-3

4-8

9-13

14-18

27

34

45

62

Man 19-30

31-50

51-70

71+

59

54

52

52

Girl 2-3

4-8

9-13

14-18

26

33

28

46

Woman 19-30

31-50

51-70

71+

46

46

41

40

Average Weekly Costs of a Basic Nutritious Diet in NS (June 2010)

The percentage of food insecure households in

Nova Scoa that were reliant on salaries and

wages in 2007 -08.

(Can Nova Scoans Aord to Eat Healthy?

May 2011)

57%

Did you know?

Naonal populaon health surveys

suggest that less than 25% of individuals

experiencing food insecurity in Canada

seek food from charitable sources.

9



Health and Wellness

Why It Maers: Lifestyle choices, such as how much we exercise and what we eat, can have a

greater eect on our mental and physical health than the availability of doctors or

technologies.

All data reported in this secon was sourced from Stascs Canada Health Prole (June 2011). Figures quoted from this source are a

two-year average of data collected in 2009 and 2010.

Nova Scotians’ Health and Wellness by the Numbers

Health Behaviours

20.5% of us are Heavy Drinkers

23.2% of us Smoke

36.3% of us consume enough Fruits and Vegetables

41.8% of us get an annual Flu Shot

53.4% of us are Physically Acve during leisure me

67.3% of us always wear a Bike Helmet

Well Being and Funcon

58.5% of us report very good or excellent Health Status

73.6% of us report very good or excellent Mental Health

77.1% of us report good Funconal Health

Health Condions

6.3% of us have Chronic Obstrucve Pulmonary Disorder

8.0% of us have Diabetes

9.3% of us have Asthma

21.0% of us have High Blood Pressure

25.2% of us are Obese

25.7% of us have Arthris

35.5% of us are Overweight

60.7% of us are Overweight or Obese

Environmental Factors

8.0% of us are exposed to Second-hand Smoke at home almost

daily

14.6% of us are exposed to Second-hand Smoke in private

vehicles or public places almost daily

10



Virtue Map

Vice Map

11



Health and Wellness

Rates are in deaths per 10,000 people (age-standardized)

How What Kills Us Compares

Category Our Rate How it Compares Naonally

All cancers 18.9 13.9% higher

Circulatory diseases 18.0 14.6% higher

Lung cancer 5.4 20.0% higher

Respiratory diseases 5.4 20.0% higher

Unintenonal injuries 3.2 28.0% higher

Colorectal cancer 1.8 Same

Breast cancer 1.2 Same

Prostate cancer 0.9 About the same (0.8)

Source: Stascs Canada Health Prole, June 2011

Did you know?

Nova Scoan women have the highest rate

of cancer in the country, while our men

have the second highest rate.

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is the number of years a person would be expected to live starng from birth (for life expectancy at birth) or at age 65

(for life expectancy at age 65) on the basis of the mortality stascs for a given observaon period.

Life expectancy at birth

In 2009/2010, life expectancy at birth for the six Health Zones ranged from 77.9 years in Zone 5 to 80.3 years in Zone 6. Life

expectancy for Nova Scoans as a whole was 79.7 years, compared to 80.7 years naonally.


Life expectancy at age 65

In 2009/2010, life expectancy at age 65 for the six Health Zones ranged from 18.2 years in Zone 5 to 19.3 years in Zone 3. Lifeexpectancy at age 65 for Nova Scoans as a whole was 18.9 years, compared to 19.8 years naonally.


12



Did you know?

Nova Scoans tend to fare worse than the

Canadian average on all health measures.

Knee Replacements

The naonal wait me benchmark for a knee replacement is six months or

approximately 180 days. In Nova Scoa, 47% of knee replacement paents

receive surgery within this meframe compared to 81% naonally.

Source: hp://gov.ns.ca/health/waimes/procedure.asp?pid=1014

Hip Replacements

The naonal wait me benchmark for a hip replacement is six months or

approximately 180 days. In Nova Scoa, 51% of paents requiring hip

replacement receive surgery within this meframe, compared to 86%

naonally.

Source: hp://gov.ns.ca/health/waimes/procedure.asp?pid=1011

Wait Times

Wait mes for hip and knee surgery in Nova Scoa are the longest in Canada.

Proportion without a Regular Medical Doctor

In 2010, 6.4% of Nova Scoans reported that they did not have a regular

medical doctor. This was down 11.1% from 7.2% in 2009. The 2010 level was

57.9% below the naonal average of 15.2%.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/III-10.pdf

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Environment Why It Maers: Clean air and water, uncontaminated soil, and green spaces are e ssenal to healthy

living. Preserving and protecng our local environment creates a strong foundaon for our children’s

future. Households that Composted Kitchen or Yard Waste

In 2009, 91% of all respondents in Nova Scoa reported composng kitchenwaste, 112% higher than the naonal average of 43%, while 64% of all

respondents that did not live in apartment buildings and had a lawn or garden

reported composng their yard waste, 28% higher than the naonal average

of 50%.


Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2008, at 790 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per gigawa-

hour of electrical energy generated, Nova Scoa had the second highest

overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity in Canada. Alberta had the

highest level at 880 tonnes, while the Canadian average was 200 tonnes of

carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per gigawa-hour.

From 1990 to 2008, the only two provinces which increased their GHG

emissions intensity in Canada were Nova Scoa (+5.3% from 750 to 790) and

New Brunswick (+24.3% from 370 to 460). Brish Columbia remained constant

at 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per gigawa-hour, while

all other provinces decreased their GHG emissions intensity.

Source: hp://www.ec.gc.ca/ges-ghg/default.asp

lang=En&n=EAF0E96A-1#secon4

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Water Conservation Practices

Did you know?

Reduced use of fossil fuel will help protect

electricity consumers from oil price shocks

and contribute to reduced air polluon

and greenhouse gas reducon.

Household Use of Energy-Saving Light Bulbs

In 2009, 93.2% of households in Nova Scoa used some form of energy -saving

light bulbs, 4.8% higher than the naonal average of 88.9%.


Lawn Watering

In 2009, of the 84.4% of households with lawns in Nova Scoa, 15.4% watered

their lawns three or more mes a week, 24.6% higher than the naonal

average of 12.4%.


Low -Flow Showerheads

In 2009, 66.2% of households in Nova Scoa had a low-ow showerhead, 5.9%

above the naonal average of 62.5%.

Low -Volume Toilets

In 2009, low-volume toilets were present in 39.3% of households, 6.5% belowthe naonal average of 42.1%.


15















Learning

Average tuion fees for full-me students in Nova Scoa have decreased 14.4% from $6,422 in 2006/2007 to $5,495 in 2010/2011.

However, as of 2010/2011, they remain 6.9% above the naonal average ($5,138).

Source: hp://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/educ50d -eng.htm and hp://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/educ50a-

eng.htm

Average Undergraduate Tuition Fees

Why It Maers: Successful communies oer residents abundant, aordable and exible

opportunies to learn in formal school sengs, at work or online.

Annapolis Valley Regional

Cape Breton-Victoria Regional

Chignecto-Central Regional Conseil scolaire acadien provincial

Halifax Regional

South Shore Regional

Strait Regional Tri-County Regional

School Boards in Nova Scotia

Post-Secondary Education Completion

In 2010, 52.7% of Nova Scoans 15 years and older had completed post-

secondary educaon, 1.7% higher than the naonal rate of 51.8%. From 1990

to 2010, Nova Scoa’s post-secondary compleon rate increased 47.6% from

35.7%, while the naonal rate increased 58.4% from 32.7%.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/IV -2-a.pdf


Post-Secondary Education Completion by County (2006)

Highest Rates Lowest Rates

1. Halifax (61.8%) 1. Shelburne (34.3%)

2. Angonish (60.8%) 2. Guysborough (39.8%)

3. Kings (53.7%) 3. Queens (41.3%)

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http://www.avrsb.ednet.ns.ca/


http://www.cbv.ns.ca/




http://www.ccrsb.ednet.ns.ca/




http://www.csap.ednet.ns.ca/


http://www.hrsb.ns.ca/


http://www.ssrsb.ca/


http://www.strait.ednet.ns.ca/


http://www.tcrsb.ca/




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From 2003 to 2009, Nova Scoa’s students have consistently scored below the naonal level on standardized tests in reading,

mathemacs and science; however they have consistently exceeded the OECD averages.

Average Scores

Reading Mathemacs Sciences

2003 2006 2009 2003 2006 2009 2003 2006 2009

Nova Scoa 513 505 516 515 506 512 505 522 523

Canada 528 527 524 532 527 527 519 534 529

OECD Average 494 492 496 500 498 497 500 500 501

Standardized Student Test Scores (OECD PISA Study)

The Organisaon for Economic Cooperaon and Development’s Programme for Internaonal Student Assessment seeks to measure

the extent to which youth, at age 15, have acquired some of the knowledge and skills that are essenal for full parcipaon in

modern sociees.

Provincial Assessment and Examinations Score Summary

The Evaluaon Services division of the Department of Educaon develops, administers, scores and reports on English and French

provincial assessment and examinaons.

Nova Scoa’s elementary, junior- and senior-high school students do well on their provincial examinaons and assessments, with

the excepon of mathemacs where student scores generally decrease as they progress from elementary school to junior - and

senior- high school.

Source: hp://plans.ednet.ns.ca/

2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11

Elementary Reading n/a 86 86 85 84

Elementary Wring n/a 91 93 92 90

Junior High Reading 87 85 82 81 n/a

Junior High Wring 90 92 95 94 n/a

Grade 3 Math n/a 72 71 75 75

Grade 6 Math n/a n/a n/a

63 62

Grade 12 Math 26 51 45 n/a 52

Grade 12 Adv. Math 64 70 64 n/a 70

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Learning

In 2010/2011, the school boards with the highest grade 3 overall mathemacal literacy assessment scores were Strait (80%) and

Chignecto-Central (77%). The school boards with the lowest scores were Tri-County (70%) and Cape Breton-Victoria (71%). The

provincial average was 75%.

Source: hp://plans.ednet.ns.ca/les/2010-2011EEMLA-Results.pdf

Grade 3 Math Literacy

In 2010/2011, the school boards with the highest grade 6 overall mathemacal literacy assessment scores were Strait (66%) and

Halifax (66%). The school boards with the lowest scores were Annapolis Valley (55%), Cape Breton-Victoria (58%) and Tri-County

(58%). The provincial average was 62%.

Source: hp://plans.ednet.ns.ca/les/2010-2011EMLA-Results.pdf


In Nova Scoa, Grade 12 Math is not compulsory in order to earn a High School Diploma.

In 2010/11, only two school boards had more than half of their students who took Mathemacs 12 pass the course: Chignecto-

Central (66%) and Halifax (54%). The three school boards with the lowest passing rates were Tri-County (34%), South Shore (39%)

and Strait (45%). The provincial average was 52%.

In 2010/11, the three school boards with the highest passing rate for Mathemacs Advanced 12 were Chignecto-Central (83%),

Halifax (73%) and Cape Breton-Victoria (72%). The three school boards with the lowest passing rates were Tri-County (50%), South

Shore (60%) and Annapolis Valley (62%). The provincial average was 70%.

Source: hp://plans.ednet.ns.ca/les/2010-2011NSEMathemathics-Results.pdf


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Did you know?

Educational attainment is related to

average earnings, labour productivity,

health and incidence of poverty.

In 2008, the three school boards with the lowest student to teacher raos were Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (11.6:1), Cape

Breton- Victoria (12.5:1) and Strait (12.5:1). The three school boards with the highest student to teacher raos were Annapolis

Valley (15.1: 1), Chignecto-Central (14.3:1) and Halifax (13.8:1).

Source: hp://stats-summary.ednet.ns.ca/tcher.shtml

Student to Teacher Ratios

The high school drop-out rate reects the proporon of the populaon aged 20

to 24 who have not completed high school.

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s high-school-drop-out rate was 8.6%, 3.4% below the

naonal rate (8.9%) and down 32.3% from 2000 (12.7%).

Source: hp://www4.rhdcc.gc.ca/[email protected]?

seriesid=8&seriesid=15&fromind=1&sid=8&submit=Submit&iid=32&chrd=2

High School Drop-Out Rate

From 2001/02 to 2009/10, Nova Scoa’s public school enrolment has decreased an average of 2.1% each year, for an overall loss of

15.5% (154,476 students to 130,550).

From 2001/02 to 2009/10, Nova Scoa’s per student funding increased by 62% ($6,002 to $9,728), while total public school funding

increased by 37% ($927 million to $1,270 million).

Source: The Minister’s Report to Parents and Guardians (2010). Downloaded from: hp://plans.ednet.ns.ca/ministers-

report -to- parents-guardians-2010

Nova Scotia Public School Enrolment and Funding

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http://plans.ednet.ns.ca/ministers-report-to-parents-guardians-2010


















Safety

Why It Maers: A sense of security and safety aects our quality -of -life in Nova Scoa and our ability to

enjoy life to its fullest. Personal safety determines how we socialize and parcipate in our communies.

Overall Crime Severity Index

The Crime Severity Index reects the relave seriousness of the oences commied. The index was set at 100 for Canada in 2006.

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s Overall Crime Severity Index level was 83.5, or approximately the same as the naonal level (82.7). Aer

peaking at 106.7 in 2004, Nova Scoa`s Overall Crime Severity Index has been consistently declining. Its 2010 level was down 21%

from its 1998 level (105.2). This downward trend is consistent with the naonal trend which saw a 30% drop from 118.8 in 1998 to

82.7 in 2010.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/II-8-i.pdf

Total Crime Rate

Crime rates measure the volume of crime reported to police.

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s total crime rate was 698.0 per 10,000 people, 14% above the naonal rate (614.5). Nova Scoa’s rate

increased 1% from 2009, compared to a 5% decrease naonally. Canada’s rate has generally declined since 1998, while Nova Scoa’s

rate has been more variable. From 2004 to 2008, Nova Scoa’s rate decreased consistently. Since 2008 it has remained stable.

Source: hp://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002- x/2011001/arcle/11523/tbl/tbl02a-eng.htm

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Total Violent Crime Rate

Violent crimes involve the applicaon, or threat of applicaon, of force to a person. Crime rates measure the volume of crime

reported to police.

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s violent crime rate was 156.4 per 10,000 people, 22% above the naonal rate (128.2). Nova Scoa’s rate

decreased 6% from 165.6 in 2009 and was approximately the same as its 1998 level (155.2). Since 1998, Nova Scoa’s violent crime

rate has consistently exceeded the naonal rate.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/II-1.pdf

Violent Crime Severity Index

The Violent Crime Severity Index reects the relave seriousness of the oences commied. Violent crimes involve the applicaon, or

threat of applicaon, of force to a person. The index was set at 100 for Canada in 2006.

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s Violent Crime Severity Index level was 84.5, 5% below the naonal level (88.9). Nova Scoa’s level decreased

6% from 89.7 in 2009, and was approximately the same as its 1998 level (85.0). Nova Scoa’s Violent Crime Severity Index peaked in

2006 at 106.7 and has been declining ever since. This downward trend is consistent with what has been happening naonally.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/II-8-ii.pdf

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Safety

Total Non-Violent Crime Rate

Non-violent crimes include both property oences and other non-violent Criminal Code oences. Crime rates measure the volume of

crime reported to police.

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s non-violent crime rate was 541.6 per 10,000 people, 11% above the naonal rate (486.2). Over me, Nova

Scoa’s non-violent crime rate has generally followed the same trend as that found naonally, with the excepon of the most

recent year, where Nova Scoa’s rate has increased and the naonal rate has decreased.

Source: hp://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002- x/2011001/arcle/11523/tbl/tbl02a-eng.htm

Non-Violent Crime Severity Index

The Non-Violent Crime Severity Index reects the relave seriousness of the oences commied. Non-violent crime includes both

property oences and other non-violent Criminal Code oences. The index was set at 100 for Canada in 2006.

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s Non-Violent Crime Severity Index level was 83.1, 4% above the naonal level (80.3). Nova Scoa’s level

increased 2% from 81.7 in 2009, and was down 27% from its 1998 level (113.3). Since 2004, Nova Scoa’s Non-Violent Crime

Severity Index level has been declining, with the excepon of this most recent year. This downward trend is consistent with what

has been happening naonally.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/II-8-iii.pdf

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Police Services per Capita

This indicator is calculated by dividing total costs of police services by populaon. Police services are delivered by a municipality's

own force, the RCMP or a combinaon of both. Dierences between municipalies should be researched before conclusions are made

as service levels may vary.

In 2010, police services per capita were the highest in the Towns of Annapolis Royal ($610), Bridgewater ($410) and Kentville ($383)

and the lowest in the Municipalies of Yarmouth ($69), Argyle ($73) and Angonish ($77). Data for the Town of Bridgetown and the

Municipality of Annapolis was not available. The average for all municipalies, excluding these two, was $212.

Fire Services per Capita

This indicator is calculated by dividing total costs of re services by populaon. Fire services are delivered by a municipality's own

force, volunteer re department or a combinaon of both. Dierences between municipalies should be researched before

conclusions are made as service levels may vary.

In 2010, re services per capita were the highest in the Town of Annapolis Royal ($357), the Town of Yarmouth ($299) and theMunicipality of Guysborough ($246). It was the lowest in the Municipality of Inverness ($23), Municipality of Chester ($26) and the

Town of Clark’s Harbour ($51). Data for the Town of Bridgetown and the Municipality of Annapolis was not available. The average

for all municipalies, excluding these two, was $115.

Total Police-reported Trac Crimes

In 2010, at 43.5 per 10,000 people, the trac crime rate in Nova Scoa was 6%

above the naonal rate (41.0). Since 1998, 2010 was the only year in which

Nova Scoa’s rate exceeded the naonal rate. Nova Scoa’s rate has been

steadily increasing since 2007, while the naonal rate has been decreasing.

Nova Scoa’s 2010 rate was up 22% from 35.8 in 1998, while naonally the

rate was down 13% from 46.9 in 1998.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/II-3.pdf

23







Economy

Why It Maers: Strong and vibrant communies provide a wide variety of opportunies for

secure, well - paid work. Safe, accessible, well - paying jobs will help aract and retain the talent

pool we need for our future.

Public sector means those who work for a local, provincial or federal

government, for a government service or agency, a crown corporaon, or a

government funded establishment such as a school (including universies) or hospital. Private sector means those who work as employees of a private rm

or business.

In July 2011, there were 451,400 workers in Nova Scoa. Of these workers,

272,200 (60.3%) were employed in the private sector, down 3.9% from

283,100 in July 2010; 117,400 (26.0%) were employed in the public sector, up

5.7% from 111,100; and 61,800 were self -employed, up 1.0% from 61,200.

Source: Labour Force Survey hp://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/

labr66d -eng.htm

Employment by Class of Worker

The employment rate is the percentage of Canadian adults (15 years of age

and over but excluding those living on reserves, in the military or instuonalized) working for pay.

In 2010 at 58.2%, Nova Scoa had an employment rate 5.5% lower than the

naonal rate of 61.6%. From 2000 to 2010, Nova Scoa’s employment rate

increased 4.5% from 55.7% to 58.2%, compared to an increase of 0.5%

naonally from 61.3% to 61.6%.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/IX -1-a-i.pdf

Employment Rate

In 2010, 452,500 people were employed in Nova Scoa, up 0.2% from 451,400in 2009. This growth rate is 86.0% below the naonal rate of 1.4%. From 2000

to 2010, Nova Scoa’s compounded average annual employment growth rate

was 1.1%, 31.3% below the naonal rate of 1.6%.


Employment Growth

24

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Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate is the percentage of Canadians in the labour force -

i.e. those either employed or acvely seeking employment - who are currently

not employed.

In 2010, the unemployment rate for Nova Scoa was 9.3%, 16.3% above the

naonal level of 8.0%, and up 1.1% from 9.2% in 2009. From 2000 to 2010,Nova Scoa’s average unemployment rate was 8.8%, 23.9% higher than the

naonal rate of 7.1%.


Average and Median Real Hourly Earnings

In 2010, median hourly earnings in Nova Scoa were $16.92, 9.6% lower thanthe naonal gure of $18.71, while average hourly earnings were $19.90, 6.3%

lower than the naonal gure of $21.23.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/IX -4-b-i.pdf

Did you know?

The unemployment rate of immigrants

who have lived in Nova Scoa for less than

5 years is 27% higher than the non-

immigrant rate, while the unemployment

rate of immigrants who have lived here 10

years or more is 50% below the non-

immigrant rate.

25








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Economy

Real GDP (in Chained 2002 Dollars)

The gross domesc product (GDP) is one of the primary indicators of a region’s

economic performance. Real GDP is an inaon-adjusted measure that reects

the value of all goods and services produced in a given year, expressed in base-

year prices.

In 2010, real GDP in Nova Scoa reached $27.2 billion, up 2.3% from its 2009

level of $26.6 billion. From 2001 to 2009, Nova Scoa’s real GDP grew an

average of 1.5% annually, compared to an average growth rate of 1.7%

naonally. In 2010, Nova Scoa accounted for 2.1% of the total real GDP of

Canada.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/XIII-1.pdf

Real GDP per Worker (in Chained 2002 Dollars)

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s real GDP per worker was $60,127, up 2.1% from its 2009

level of $58,900 and 22.7% lower than the Canada-wide level ($77,753). From

2001 to 2009, Nova Scoa’s compound average annual per worker GDP

growth rate was 0.7%, compared to 0.4% naonally.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/XIII-2.pdf

Real GDP per Capita (in Chained 2002 Dollars)

In 2010, Nova Scoa’s real GDP per capita was $28,867, up 2.0% from its 2009

level of $28,311, and 25.7% lower than the Canada-wide level ($38,846). From

2006 to 2009, Nova Scoa’s compound average annual per capita GDP growth

rate was 0.9%, compared to a 1.1% decline naonally.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/XIII-1.pdf and hp://

www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/demo02a-eng.htm

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Did you know?

Employment parcipaon is related to

literacy, levels of educaon, and the

eecveness of informal and formal social

supports.

Personal Disposable Income per Capita

In 2009, the personal disposable income per capita in Nova Scoa was

$23,130, up 18.8% from $19,469 in 2000 and 10.8% lower than the naonal

level of $25,938. From 2000 to 2009, Nova Scoa’s compound average annual

personal disposable income per capita growth rate was 2.6%, 44.4% above the

naonal growth rate of 1.8%.

Source: hp://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/esr/esr.pdf

Rate per 1,000 Persons

In 2009, Nova Scoa’s consumer bankruptcy rate per 1,000 people was 6.2,

37.8% higher than the naonal rate (4.5). Since 2000, Nova Scoa’s consumer

bankruptcy rate per 1,000 people has consistently exceeded the naonal rate.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/XIII-4-a-ii.pdf

Consumer Bankruptcies

Rate per 1,000 Persons

In 2009, Nova Scoa’s business bankruptcy rate per 1,000 people was 2.8,

16.7% higher than the naonal rate (2.4). Since 2000, Nova Scoa’s business

bankruptcy rate per 1,000 people has consistently exceeded the naonal rate.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/XIII-4-b-ii.pdf

Business Bankruptcies

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http://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/XIII-4-b-ii.pdf









http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/esr/esr.pdf



Sense of Belonging

Why It Maers: The more we feel connected to others and our communies, the more vibrant

and resilient we are individually and collecvely.

Sense of Community Belonging

In 2010, 71.6% of Nova Scoans aged twelve or older reported a strong or

somewhat strong sense of community belonging, up 0.7% from the 2009 level

of 71.1% and 9.5% higher than the naonal level of 65.4%. From 2003 to 2010,Nova Scoans’ sense of community belonging increased 1.0% from 70.9% to

71.6%, while naonally it increased 2.3% from 63.9% to 65.4%.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/X -6.pdf

Sense of Life Satisfaction

In 2010, 92.0% of Nova Scoans aged twelve or older indicated that they were

sased or very sased with their overall life, up 0.3% from the 2009 level of

91.7%, and approximately the same as the naonal level of 92.1%. From 2003

to 2010, Nova Scoans’ sense of sasfacon decreased by 0.8% from 92.7% to92.0%, while the naonal level increased 0.9% from 91.3% to 92.1%.

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/X -7 -b.pdf

Voter Turnout for 2011 Federal Elections

In 2011, the voter turnout for federal elecons in Nova Scoa was 62.1%, 1.1%

higher than the naonal rate of 61.4%, and 3.0% higher than its 2008 rate of

60.3%.


Charitable Donors as a Proportion of Tax Filers

In 2009, 22.5% of tax lers in Nova Scoa declared charitable donaons, 2.6%

below the naonal level of 23.1%. Nova Scoa’s 2009 level is 3.4% lower than

its 2008 level of 23.3%. From 2001 to 2009, the proporon of Nova Scoa’s tax

lers declaring charitable donaons dropped 5.2% from 23.7% to 22.5%,

compared to an 8.5% decrease naonally from 25.2% to 23.1%.


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Median Charitable Donations

In 2009, the median charitable donaon in Nova Scoa was $300, 20.0%

higher than Canada’s median charitable donaon of $250. From 2001 to 2009,

Nova Scoa’s median charitable donaon increased 15.4% from $260 to $300,

compared to a 25.0% increase naonally from $200 to $250.


Spending on Social Clubs and Other Organizations

In 2009, 15.9% of households in Nova Scoa reported contribung and paying

dues towards social clubs and other organizaons, 5.9% lower than the

naonal average of 16.9%. From 2002 to 2009, the proporon of households

in Nova Scoa that reported contribung and paying dues towards social clubs

and other organizaons dropped 23.2% from 20.7% to 15.9%, while naonally

it dropped 16.7% from 20.3% to 16.9%.


Household Spending on Arts and Culture

In 2009, the total average expenditure per household on arts and culture in

Nova Scoa was $907, 5.7% lower than the naonal rate of $962. Of this total,

$815.00 was spent on “entertainment.” Within this category, the top three

expenditures were cablevision and satellite services ($590), movie theatres

($84) and live performing arts ($80).

Source: hp://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/rpt2011/appendices/App-VII-

5-ii(2009).pdf

Use of Recreation Facilities

In 2009, 37.0% of households in Nova Scoa reported using recreaon

facilies, 3.1% below the naonal average of 38.2%. From 2002 to 2009, the

proporon of households in Nova Scoa that reported using recreaon

facilies dropped 20.9% from 46.8% to 37.0%, while naonally this proporon

dropped 20.3% from 47.9% to 38.2%.


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Contributors

Editors

30

Research Team

Alexandra Connolly

Katherine MacKenzie

Community Foundation of Nova ScotiaBoard of Directors

Dennice Leahey, CM, Chair

Robert Orr, Vice-Chair

Ruth March, CA, TEP, Treasurer

Dr. Margaret Casey, CM, Secretary

Mary Eldridge

Bonnie Bond

Dean Brinton

Jane Nicholson, APR

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia is grateful to all of those who helped to

make this report possible.

Nova Scotia’s Vital Signs® was made possible

through the generous support of:

The Nicholson Foundaon

The JSF Fund @ Community Foundaon of Nova Scoa

Design

Sarah Feltham

Graphs by Electric Playground Media

Logistics Support

Julia Feltham

Meredith Hand

Shannon MacLean

Contact Us

806-1888 Brunswick Street

Halifax, NS B3J 3J8

(902)490-5907 [email protected] www.cfns.ca

Research Support

Andrew Sharpe

Centre for the Study of Living Standards

Malcolm Shookner

Nova Scoa Community Counts

Peter Nicholson, PhD, CM

Allison Kouzovnikov

John MacLeod

Bev Clark



Vital Signs® is a community check-up conducted by community

foundations across Canada that measures the vitality of ourcommunities, identies signicant trends, and supports action

on issues that are critical to our quality of life. Vital Signs® is

coordinated nationally by Community Foundations of Canada.

The Vital Signs® trademark is used with permission from

Community Foundations of Canada. Nova Scotia’s Vital Signs® is a signature product of theCommunity Foundation of Nova Scotia.

Dennice Leahey, CM Allison Kouzovnikov Chair Executive Director

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia would like to thank

members of the Wolfville Community Fund and the Lunenburg

County Community Fund for forging the Vital Signs® path inNova Scotia. We would also like to thank Sean Sears for being

a champion for the cause and Margaret and David Fountain for

giving us our start.

N.S. Vital Signs 2011 Report

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