THUNDER BAY — Ontario Shipyards, formerly known as Heddle Shipyards, has idled its Thunder Bay plant.
Ted Kirkpatrick, director of business development and government relations, told The Chronicle-Journal that they have decided to temporarily idle operations at its shipyard largely due to market conditions and the availability of skilled labour.
"Despite these challenging conditions, we remain committed to revitalizing Ontario's shipbuilding and ship repair industry, including in Thunder Bay," Kirkpatrick said, adding their organization has no plans to divest from the Thunder Bay shipyard and will remain committed to the city community.
"We continue to actively pursue a number of high-potential shipbuilding opportunities for the Thunder Bay Shipyard, and we still see the Thunder Bay shipyard as playing a key role in supporting shipbuilding activities in Ontario and across Canada."
He said they are confident that the situation they are facing is temporary and plan to bring shipbuilding back to the city in the "not-so-distant future."
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