By Chad Klassen

Job fair in Merritt hopes to help laid off Tolko employees

Jan 11, 2017 | 5:15 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Nearly a month after hundreds of people lost their jobs at the Tolko mill in Merritt, the mayor of that city says the province’s transition team is helping people land other work. 

A job fair is slated for Monday in Merritt, where some of the former Tolko employees are expected.

More than 200 people have been out of work since the mill closed operations on December 16. While a handful of workers opted for retirement, others have transferred to other tolko mills, some are going back to school, and many others are still in search of another job.

“The transition team, and Tolko, have been working hard,” says mayor of Merritt Neil Menard. “We’ve had a couple job fairs, the transition team has had some really good 1-on-1 meetings, so it’s moving. It’s something that none of us like to deal with, but it’s one of those things that we do. Merritt will survive.”

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Menard says the city has hosted a couple job fairs since the shutdown. At Monday’s job fair, Domtar and other forest companies are expected.

“I know West Fraser has been here,” he says. “I’ve heard Canadian Forest Products is interested. Domtar out of Kamloops is also interested. A number of the provincial jails are looking for guards. So there are some really good employers coming to town.”