71,700 full time jobs lost in October.

[NAB]

Something about this whole create jobs scenario as it relates to BC, with CC and her entourage scouting out Asia and China for investment and attracting people here to live, learn, and fill the anticipated jobs. Even if net jobs are created in any substantial quantity in BC over the next several years, many I speak with are concerned that should they invest, they won't be able to find enough qualified people to fill them, even from Asia or China.

In short, focusing on job creation is just one part of the problems that need solving to get BC's economy back on the rails (if indeed it ever was on the global rails in any substantial way). Just shuffling the jobs that exist around doesn't gain us anything if the fundamentals are weak and not looked after.

Nab

[ole smelly]

Well canfor has made it offical rustad and ft nelson permanently closed severance to be paid in two payments. Another death blow to the forest industry.

[NAB]

Yes, I had noted that on the ForestTalk site - here's their announcement.. they have apparently been shut since 2009.
Nab

Canfor permanently closes Rustad and Tackama operations
December 5th, 2011 | Posted in Mill Closures & Layoffs | No comments »

After a lengthy indefinite shut that followed the collapse of the United States residential housing market in 2008, Canfor Corporation has decided to close its historic Rustad Sawmill in Prince George, British Columbia and Tackama Mill in Fort Nelson, British Columbia.

Canfor has determined that the capital investment needed to bring the Rustad facility up to globally competitive operating standards is prohibitive. The company has instead focused a $300 million, 3-year capital investment plan on other facilities where smaller amounts of capital spending can realize significant improvements in cost performance and capacity.

Canfor acquired the Rustad Sawmill in 1999, and operated the facility for 10 years until slowing US lumber demand forced operations to cease in 2009. To that point, the mill had been in continuous operation for 62 years. The Tackama operation in Fort Nelson was part of Canfor’s 2004 acquisition of Slocan Forest Products, and at the time was BC’s largest plywood facility.

Although the decision has been made to cease manufacturing operations at these locations, Canfor is proud to have been part of the impressive legacy both plants had in their communities. Further information will be available over the next several weeks on plans to repurpose portions of the Rustad site for trades training and education.

“Canfor remains fully committed to the BC Interior, the communities of Prince George and Fort Nelson and to our employees,” said CEO, Don Kayne. “The Province of British Columbia, Government of Canada and BC forest industry are seeing tremendous success in the joint effort to develop new markets for BC wood products throughout the Asia Pacific. We believe that demand for green, environmentally sustainable building materials will continue to grow in our core United States market and around the world, and that a bright and prosperous future is ahead for the BC forest sector and forest communities.”

Rustad and Tackama employees will receive statutory payments and severance as negotiated with the United Steelworkers.

http://foresttalk.com/index.php/2011/12 ... perations/