Mr. Speaker, the largest employer in Port Hardy had a major fire Saturday night at the fish processing plant. Fortunately no one was injured but 260 people were put out of work.
The Alpha Processing Plant supplies several hundred tonnes per week of north island fresh farm salmon for the Canadian and international markets.
North Vancouver Island has been under severe stress in recent years in the forest, fishing and mining sectors. It is reassuring to see the broader community pull together after this tragic fire. Nearby fish processing competitors have agreed to co-operate to maintain capacity for processing during reconstruction of the plant. They will retain important market share and jobs on the water for the growers.
The workers, their families and the community at large are pulling together to rebuild the Alpha Processing Plant.