THUNDER BAY – The announcement that the Canada Blood Service is closing in Thunder Bay is resulting in action from Larry Hebert. Rebecca Johnson, and Ken Boshcoff, Councillors at Large on Thunder Bay City Council. The trio are bringing a motion forward to Council tonight that seeks to extend the deadline for the closure until at least the end of the year.
“This is the loss of 28 jobs in Thunder Bay and the abandonment of both staff and a large dedicated donor base,” state the Councillors. “Staff will get packages but that is required under the law and the lack of any other local options for donors is totally a shot at this area and the Plasma Centre”.
In a email to fellow Councillors, Hebert says, “I am asking for your support to lobby Canadian Blood Services to keep the Plasma Centre open until the end of November 2012 ( rather than closing APRIL 12, 2012 OR at Christmas time) so staff can still get appropriate severance packages and have more time to seek alternative employment opportunities and for the donors in this area to have some options for local donations”.
Ken Boshcoff is concerned that the Plasma Centre will close even earlier. “It was a tough day today, I usually book every six days”, said Boshcoff. Staff is in total shock. Right up to the last minute we were being told that our donations were needed to donate to save lives, now we are being told it is not”.
“Medical professionals say we need this vital supply here,” states Boshcoff.