Photo courtesy of cameco.com
A lobby group representing northern Saskatchewan municipalities says the Cameco decision to reduce its workforce by about 10 per cent, or 120 workers, will have a long-lasting and far-reaching impact on the North.
The Chair of New North, Bruce Fidler, says Cameco is the biggest employer in the north, and the workers who will lose their jobs are not left with many options.
“It’s very disappointing,” he said. “You know being one of the largest employers in northern Saskatchewan, our residents really rely on Cameco and the different mines to sustain their lifestyle.”
Fidler says he knew the uranium industry was going through difficult times, but he did not see this announcement coming.
“Well not really, you are always hopeful that something will come along or something will happen to correct the situation,” he stated.
He adds, northerners are resilient, but it will be difficult to bounce back from this one. He expects the downsizing will have a ripple effect across the north, impacting secondary industries and even things like health care and education.