Twelve out of 27 Gibsons volunteer firefighters are affected by the layoffs at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP), Coun. Silas White reported at the Sept. 1 council meeting.
“As buy-outs are offered and bumping occurs, it remains to be seen who and how many will lose their jobs and perhaps be forced to move out of our community,” White reported. “But this potential effect on our fire department alone is staggering.”
HSPP’s parent company, Paper Excellence, announced in late July that it was cutting 171 positions and permanently shutting down its paper production operations at the Port Mellon mill.
Gibsons Mayor Wayne Rowe reported that he has been in meetings this summer with a number of organizations – including Service Canada, Work BC, Capilano College and the local governments on the Coast – where they discussed options for assisting area residents who have been affected by the layoffs.
“There isn’t anything really concrete for me to report on yet, but all of the affected workers are being paid until Oct. 17,” Rowe said.
Rowe also said that there are sessions being held at HSPP between the union, Work BC and Service Canada. They will be trying to put together specific programs to help transition the affected workers.
“There doesn’t seem to be any likelihood of reduction in the numbers that will be out of work from this layoff,” Rowe said. “The impacts to the community remain to be seen.”
