Shuswap
Lucas Oil Specials off oil changes
25
%
Your Classified Connection / Vol. 26 No. 6 February 6, 2015
DL# 10374
*Taxes extra. Some exceptions apply. Diesels not included. Offer expires Feb. 28th, 2015
www.salmonarmgm.com • 250-832-6066
Market News
Inside
Pirates in action
Shuswap
n Bastion Elementary School student Sara Chubey’s pirate hat falls down while skiing an uphill section of the course during the Pirate Loppet at Larch Hills on Friday, Jan. 30. More than 400 students participated. For more images from the event, see page A14.
A4 Fatal crash
Sorrento woman dies in collision on the TCH. Plus South Shuswap A8-9 Sports
Includes synthetic & non synthetics
A28,34-5
Chase
A23 Foreshore fix
Band, feds, team up to protect habitat. Plus Chase Heat A24 What’s On A24
Flyers z Askew’s z Arthur’s Gem Set Studio* z Buckerfields* z Canadian Tire* z City Furniture* z Coopers* z IDA Drugs* z Jysk* z London Drugs* z No Frills z Peoples Drug Mart* z Pharmasave* z Real Estate* z Rona* z Superstore* z Safety Mart* z Safeway z Save On Foods z Sears* z Shoppers Drug Mart* z Source* z Staples* z Visions* z Walmart* *Limited distribution
Evan BuhlEr/markEt nEws
Oil price leads to Shuswap layoffs
Economy: Some businesses feel the pinch, diversification helps others shift gears. By Lachlan Labere
markEt nEws staff
Layoffs have begun among Shuswap businesses feeling the strain of the slowdown in Canada’s oil industry. Sicamous’ TA Structures, which builds mobile living quarters for worksite camps, has had to lay off up to 40 employees in response to the sudden apprehension in the energy resource sector at home and abroad. TA Structures manufacturing manager Nigel Watson says the company isn’t alone – that other worksite accommodation providers are feeling the pinch, including Horizon North Logistics in
Kamloops where 130 employees were recently served layoff notices. “It’s unfortunate, we have had to make some layoffs coming in to the new year here,” said Watson. “Traditionally at this time of year, it’s a little quiet for businesses like ourselves and the oil patch. But I think there has been a slowdown somewhat, and I’m sure you’re aware Northern (Logistics) got laid off a few weeks ago and the price of oil is obviously affecting the industry somewhat regarding budgets and capital expenditure.” That slowdown is also having an impact on businesses in Salmon Arm’s industrial park. One owner, who declined to have his name used, said
his company is “hurting hard,” and that he may be considering layoffs in the near future. Salmon Arm Mayor Nancy Cooper says she, along with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, has been in communication with some business owners in the industrial park, and confirmed there have been a few layoffs already. But she’s also heard from businesses who are doing OK because they don’t have all their eggs in the oil-sector basket. “My understanding is there would be some (layoffs) but, because of the diversification, they See Tourism on page 3
Salmon Arm - 3 Locations • Sorrento • Sicamous