Politicians weighing options following Leamington Heinz closure

 

By Richard Riosa

Local and provincial politicians are still reeling from the recent announcement of the Heinz plant shutdown in Leamington – and many would like more than a token cheque from the provincial government.

The H. J. Heinz Company, which has operated a tomato processing plant in Leamington since 1909, announced Nov. 14 they would be ceasing operations and closing the plant in 2014. The closure will result in the loss of 740 full-time jobs and financial insecurity for many of the plant’s local tomato suppliers.

Leamington Mayor John Patterson said the shutdown will most negatively impact people living paycheque-to-paycheque and those who can’t afford to save for an emergency. He also said local farmers have already begun fertilizing their fields for next year and face losing their investments.

“Obviously we’d like to see it (the plant) re-purposed as quickly as possible,” said Patterson. “If it can function as a tomato processing plant, all the better because that keeps our farmers doing what they do.”

Patterson said the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation is conducting research to determine the exact financial impact the shutdown will have on local suppliers.

Development Corp. CEO Sandra Pupatello said before moving forward, the government must first learn what Heinz’s plans are for the building after its closure.

“Since no one has sent us a list of who all the (Heinz) suppliers are, we have to search ourselves to find out who they are and then when we find them, sort out if there’s something we can do to help,” said Pupatello.

Pupatello said the media attention received by the plant shutdown may help draw investors to Leamington. According to Pupatello the area now has a larger platform to advertise the local agricultural industry.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne appeared in Windsor Nov. 22 as a guest speaker at a luncheon held by the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. Wynne said the closure represents a serious shift in the economy of Essex County and said she will look at all possible options available to save the jobs lost in Leamington.

“We need to work with the people of Leamington to make sure we do everything we can to provide a transition to a strong economy once again,” said Wynne.

Wynne announced Leamington will be receiving $200,000 from the provincial government’s Communities in Transition Fund.

MPP Percy Hatfield (NDP – Windsor-Tecumseh) said Heinz leaving Leamington is as devastating to the community as it would be if Chrysler were to leave Windsor. He said he doubts the provincial government has any tangible plan to save the jobs which will be lost.

“When the Liberal jobs were on the line, they put over $1 billion out to save a few seats,” said Hatfield. “Now they’re giving Leamington $200,000 for about 1,000 jobs.”

Hatfield said the government should have a contingency plan in place for situations like the Leamington Heinz closure, which result in such a large number of jobs lost.

“I think it’s scary that if you’re the government and you’ve been in power for nine or 10 years, whatever it’s been, that they didn’t have a contingency plan for situations such as this,” said Hatfield.