Employment

Workers get set to pour cement from a truck at the GO train station in Oakville, Ont., Tuesday, Jan.28, 2020. Statistics Canada is set today to report how many workers lost their jobs in April or had their hours slashed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan

COVID-19 wage subsidy program extended as pandemic pushes millions out of workforce

Economists on average had expected the loss of four million jobs and an unemployment rate of 18 per cent

Workers get set to pour cement from a truck at the GO train station in Oakville, Ont., Tuesday, Jan.28, 2020. Statistics Canada is set today to report how many workers lost their jobs in April or had their hours slashed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan
Chris Hardy reports to work at the Western Forest Products Chemainus sawmill. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Return to work brings some optimism about WFP-employee relations

Long-time Chemainus sawmill employee leaving happier politics appear to be changing for the better

Chris Hardy reports to work at the Western Forest Products Chemainus sawmill. (Photo by Don Bodger)
January’s increase in jobs came as the unemployment rate fell to 5.5 per cent compared with 5.6 per cent in December(The Canadian Press file photo)

Statistics Canada says economy added 34,500 jobs in January, unemployment down

Economists on average had expected an increase of 15,000 jobs for January

January’s increase in jobs came as the unemployment rate fell to 5.5 per cent compared with 5.6 per cent in December(The Canadian Press file photo)
Land use concept plan for Ucluelet Harbour Seafoods temporary staff housing for 13 Recreational Vehicles on the property at 1970 Harbour Crescent. (IMAGE FROM UCLUELET COUNCIL AGENDA)

Ucluelet approves RVs as temporary housing solution for fish plant workers

“We are hoping for the best. Everybody has to support each other here.”

Land use concept plan for Ucluelet Harbour Seafoods temporary staff housing for 13 Recreational Vehicles on the property at 1970 Harbour Crescent. (IMAGE FROM UCLUELET COUNCIL AGENDA)
Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce executive director Lara Kemps, left, joins Andrew Hanson, Mayor Mayco Noël, and Tod Henry in the communal kitchen of the newly renovated staff housing hotel located in downtown Ucluelet. (Nora O’Malley / Westerly News)

Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce champions unique staff housing solution

“It was a win-win situation for all of us.”

Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce executive director Lara Kemps, left, joins Andrew Hanson, Mayor Mayco Noël, and Tod Henry in the communal kitchen of the newly renovated staff housing hotel located in downtown Ucluelet. (Nora O’Malley / Westerly News)
Former Jamie’s Rainforest Inn staffers Andrew Corrigan, left, and Kenneth David are now Hotel Zed Tofino employees. Pending District of Tofino permit approval, the funky hotel chain hopes to open their Tofino doors in spring 2020. (Nora O’Malley / Westerly News)

Goodbye Rainforest Inn, Aloha Hotel Zed Tofino

“Tofino means a lot to Mandy.”

Former Jamie’s Rainforest Inn staffers Andrew Corrigan, left, and Kenneth David are now Hotel Zed Tofino employees. Pending District of Tofino permit approval, the funky hotel chain hopes to open their Tofino doors in spring 2020. (Nora O’Malley / Westerly News)