Maple Leaf Foods closes poultry plant

After 50 years, Maple Leaf Foods Inc., a large Canadian meat processor, will be closing their poultry plant in Canard at the end of April, resulting in nearly 400 people losing their jobs.

The company is restructuring operations to improve finances and the plant isn't productive enough to justify a major reinvestment.

â€œWe deeply regret the impact this will have on our employees and we will be providing financial and outplacement support to ease their transition,â€ said Bruce McCullagh, senior vice-president of poultry operations.

The Canard plant, which employs 380 people, produces fresh poultry products, primarily for customers in Atlantic Canada.

Nova Scotia's environment minister, Mark Parent , said Maple Leaf did not ask the government for any financial help to avoid the closure.

It will cost Maple Leafapproximately CAD$8.5 million (US$7.27 million) to close the plant, when severance, decommissioning and write-downs are included.

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Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

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