Global Sticks closure 'not good news'
Employees laid off without date for recall
CBC News
Posted: Nov 21, 2011 1:29 PM ET
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2011 1:24 PM ET
Global Sticks, which just opened six months ago outside Thunder Bay, has halted its manufacturing operations. (Nicole Ireland)
A Thunder Bay area plant that opened just six months ago has closed its doors.
Representatives for Global Sticks aren't yet commenting about the shut-down of the Oliver Paipoonge mill, including any indication of whether it is a temporary or permanent move.
On Sunday, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle said the company needs to respond to what its next steps will be.
“They have been facing some challenges … that has not been a particular secret,” he said.
“And clearly we're now at a stage where what appears to be unfolding is certainly not good news … in the short term.”
Gravelle said the province has been working closely with Global Sticks.
Oliver Paipoonge Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis said she has learned that “employees have been laid off and they have not been given a date of recall at this time."
Global Sticks, which manufactured novelty wood items like ice cream sticks and tongue depressors, received several million dollars in funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. It opened with great fanfare in May 2011.
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