Canso Task Force Looks to Increase Jobs

A task force formed to ensure the survival of Canso's economy and fishery has committed to exploring all opportunities to increase employment at the town's Seafreez plant.

At a meeting Wednesday night, task force members including Canso fishermen, plant workers, and officials from the union, town, Seafreez and government pledged to work toward a long-term sustainable solution.

"Everything is on the table; we've talked about many possibilities," said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell, who chaired the meeting. "We're exhausting every opportunity."

Mr. Colwell said the group wants to keep people informed as much as possible but, at the same time, not provide false hope or derail opportunities before they can be fully developed.

Members of the group agreed that any plan must deal with the long term. They said any proposal should cover at least the next five years.

"There's goodwill at the table and a desire to work toward a solution," said Mr. Colwell. "It is not going to be easy. Ideas are being explored and deals are being worked on. These people on the task force have been excellent to work with and we're all confident there will be results."

"Each meeting is another step," added Seafreez vice-president Dave Bollivar, who said last week's layoffs at the plant are temporary and were related to redfish inventories. He said the company is committed to keeping the plant open and to increasing employment numbers.

Another meeting of the group is scheduled for Canso by the end of the month.