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By Jaryn Vecchio

Tough Times

Olymel Canada closing separate pork and poultry plants

Sep 16, 2023 | 1:51 PM

One of Canada’s biggest meat producers is closing two of its plants.

Olymel Canada has decided to shut down its boning and packaging plant in Princeville, Québec.

This decision will impact 301 positions which includes 33 being held by temporary foreign workers.

Spokesperson Richard Vigneault told farmnewsNOW there are still opportunities for these individuals to stay with the company.

“If they want, there will be a plan for relocation for our other operations and facilities.”

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Whether these people want to stay or leave, they still have another eight weeks of employment as the plant won’t officially close until Nov. 10, 2023. Each will also receive pay for an additional eight weeks.

Vigneault noted closing the plant was a tough but needed move.

“Those are business decisions (made) in a complicated period for the pork industry. The market has been in turmoil for the last two to three years,” he said.

Also closing will be Olymel Canada’s poultry processing plant in Paris, Ontario.

In total, 93 workers will be impacted. Each has been given a 14-week notice with their last day being Dec. 22, 2023.

Vigneault explained it wasn’t financially viable to keep the plant open when there’s another one around 75 km away in Oakville, Ontario.

“Those two plants were working at half of their capacities, so we decided to relocate all of our capacity in the Oakville plant.”

Just like with the Princeville plant, those losing their jobs in Paris can apply to take part in the company’s relocation plan.

Olymel Canada is also investing $8 million into the Oakville plant which is expected to create over 60 jobs.

Meanwhile, these closures come months after the company announced they were closing several sow units in Western Canada.

Multiple are in Alberta while one is in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.

Vigneault explained they did this to ensure its Red Deer unit was operating at full capacity.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow