KENORA – The provincial support for Kenora continues. Today, Minister Greg Rickford, the MPP for the riding, and Minister for Energy, Northern Development and Mines has shared that Ontario is investing $330,280 to help laid-off forestry workers get the training and supports they need to quickly rejoin the workforce.
A new physical action centre is officially opening in Kenora to provide services and supports to help up to 122 workers that were impacted by the closure of Kenora Forest Products (KFP). Staff from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Unifor Local 324 and the City of Kenora have worked closely together to get the centre up and running. The KFP Action Centre will be run by a Labour Adjustment Committee on behalf of the City of Kenora.
“In times of economic change, our government is standing with workers and families in Kenora,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “By investing in employment services and training programs, we help workers and job seekers prepare for new career opportunities.”
“I’m proud of the work our government has done to support workers in Northwestern Ontario as we move forward with economic recovery,” said MPP Rickford. “This action centre will help get local workers back on their feet and benefit our local community and economy here in Kenora-Rainy River.”
The new action centre in Kenora will connect workers with local job and training opportunities as well as counselling services to help workers adjust, retrain and rejoin the workforce.
“The KFP Action Center has been created to help laid-off forestry workers, and we’re glad to now also have a physical location,” said Andrew Poirier, Labour Adjustment Committee Chairperson. “It’s really important to help people adjust and find training and work opportunities. And we’re honoured to help people in our community online, over the phone and now also in person.”
QUICK FACTS
- The funding agreement for the action centre runs until May 30, 2021.
- Some virtual services have been available to workers since June 1, 2020
- The KFP Action Centre in Kenora will serve unionized and non-unionized forestry workers.
- The KFP Action Centre is located at 44 Matheson Street South.
- The Employment Ontario network offers a range of services and supports that help businesses find talent and connect job-seekers to training and job opportunities.
