A few months shy of starting 2014, few companies are choosing to grow in numbers while many are saying goodbye to employees.
HIRINGS
1- The Pratt & Whitney Canada plant in Longueuil will be modernizing, in turn creating 90 jobs. Of the $275 million needed for investing in the project, Quebec will be providing 19 million. http://communiques.gouv.qc.ca/gouvqc/communiques/GPQF/Octobre2013/28/c7684.html
2 – Oxford Frozen Foods expands in New Brunswick, providing an estimated 300 new jobs over the next 10 years. The company, based in Nova Scotia, is investing $184 million to build processing facilities and to develop blueberry fields. http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/atlantique/2013/10/31/008-expansion-oxford-frozen-foods-nouveau-brunswick.shtml
3 – Artopex is creating 40 additional jobs by moving to Sherbrooke in order to consolidate its productions. The company, which manufactures upscale office furniture, has 400 employees in total, spread over four plants in Quebec. http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/11/25/artopex-inaugure-ses-nouveaux-locaux
4 – A new factory plant, specializing in the production of aluminum rods, will provide work for 50 people in Victoriaville. Sural, a Venezuelan company, already operates a plant in Princeville. It now invests $45 million in expanding its presence in Quebec in the aluminum field. http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/11/18/lentreprise-venezuelienne-sural-investit
5 – Automation Mauricie inc. will be creating 30 new jobs through a project optimizing its processes. The company, based in Trois-Rivières and specializing in the design and manufacture of automated systems, will benefit from a loan from the Fonds de diversification économique, a Quebec program. http://www.lapresse.ca/le-nouvelliste/economie/201311/18/01-4712010-pret-de-225-000-a-automation-mauricie.php
Layoffs
1 – As suggested last month, Sears’ financial recovery will affect nearly 1,000 employees. The chain has announced the sale of five additional branches across the country. http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie/2013/10/29/001-sears-vente-grands-magasins-emplois.shtml
2 – The iconic Loews Le Concorde sent out dismissal notices to 230 of its employees in November. The hotel property was sold and will be converted into offices and student residences. http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/affaires/actualite-economique/201311/21/01-4713399-changement-de-vocation-pour-lhotel-loews-le-concorde.php
3 – More than 200 employees were laid off from the General Electric plant in Peterborough, Ontario. These layoffs represent more than a quarter of the workforce, and have been justified by the company by a slowdown in large motors orders. http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/15/ge-lays-off-more-than-200-employees-at-peterborough-plant
4 – Yellow Media has reduced its workforce by 10 per cent, cutting 300 jobs, mainly in the print media sector. The Montreal-based company wants to accelerate its transition into the digital world hoping to improve its profitability. http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie/2013/11/12/007-yellow-media-pertes-emplois.shtml
5 – Encana, the natural gas giant based in Calgary, announced earlier this month its intention to reduce its number of employees by 20 per cent. Their Dallas offices will be completely closed and the other layoffs will affect Canadian personnel. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/encana-to-slash-jobs-spin-off-properties-in-sweeping-overhaul/article15261101/