Up to 1000 layoffs are possible at Potash Corp, however we have to keep in mind that this is a unionized entity and they have to forewarn of any possible layoffs and the reality of it may be a small fraction of this amount. Also that no one is permanently fired and these workers can collect some benefits when they are laid off.
At Potash Corp approximately one third of the employees that were given lay off notices have been working on maintenance and expansion projects although this has been pushed back. In another mine near Saskatoon, Agrium, they were set to lay off 380 employees but have already pushed this back by a month and it is very likely that it will continue to be pushed back.
You have to keep in mind that crown corporations and the Potash Corporation lays people off and rehires them all the time. It is part of the business. Most people in Saskatchewan understand that and realize that news sources such as CBC are uninformed but it is unfortunate that the news insists on focusing on the negative when they need to do more research before they try to drag a great booming Saskatchewan economy down with the rest of the world.
People need to eat so farmers will continue to buy potash which means that Saskatchewan will not be going down the toilet like all the doomsdayers want to believe. Houses in Saskatoon continue to sell and people continue to move to Saskatoon.
Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd.