Release

Subject: Mayor Urges Governments to Find New Operator for Moir’s Plant

Mayor Kelly sent the following letter the Premier Rodney MacDonald early this afternoon. A similar letter was sent to Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister Responsible for ACOA.

Mayor Kelly may be contacted at 490-4010.

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July 7, 2006

Honourable Peter MacKay
Minister Responsible for ACOA

Dear Minister MacKay,

I am writing to express our deep concern for the potential loss of 500 permanent jobs at the Moir’s plant in Woodside, and urge you and your officials at ACOA to immediately contact Hershey Canada with a view to preventing any plant closure until a new buyer has been secured.

As you are aware, the Moir’s chocolate factory has operated in the Halifax-Dartmouth area for more than 75 years and has provided a significant number of full-time jobs over that period, and has contributed greatly to the Nova Scotia economy. The plant closure and subsequent loss of jobs would be a devastating blow to the HRM economy, as well as the provincial economy. Generations of many families have been employed at the Moir’s plant, and I urge you to ensure the rights and well-being of the Woodside plant employees are appropriately protected until a new buyer/operator can be found. The plant has undergone a significant multi-million dollar modernization in the past few years and I’m sure this factor, combined with a loyal and dedicated workforce, will be attractive features to any potential buyers. I suggest ACOA might want to immediately contact the multi-national Weston Corporation, in Toronto, or the Ganong family, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, to determine if they have an interest in the Woodside plant.

The name Moir’s has become synonymous with quality and synonymous with Nova Scotia, so I urge you and your Cabinet colleagues to make every effort to ensure this tradition, this plant and the more than 500 permanent jobs continue to be part of our province and our economy.

Thank you and I look forward to your early response.

Respectfully, I remain

Peter J. Kelly
Mayor

cc. John Knubley, Director-General, ACOA

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July 7, 2006

Honourable Rodney McDonald
Premier of Nova Scotia
One Government Place
1700 Granville Street
Halifax, N.S. BY FACSIMILE

Dear Premier MacDonald,

I am writing to express our deep concern for the potential loss of 500 permanent jobs at the Moir’s plant in Woodside, and urge your government to immediately contact Hershey Canada with a view to preventing any plant closure until a new buyer has been secured.

As you are aware, the Moir’s chocolate factory has operated in the Halifax-Dartmouth area for more than 75 years and has provided a significant number of full-time jobs over that period, and has contributed greatly to the Nova Scotia economy. The plant closure and subsequent loss of jobs would be a devastating blow to the HRM economy, as well as the provincial economy. Generations of many families have been employed at the Moir’s plant, and I urge your government to ensure the rights and well-being of the Woodside plant employees are appropriately protected until a new buyer/operator can be found. The plant has undergone a significant multi-million dollar modernization in the past few years and I’m sure this factor, combined with a loyal and dedicated workforce, will be attractive features to any potential buyers. I suggest the Province’s Office of Economic Development might want to immediately contact the multi-national Weston Corporation, in Toronto, or the Ganong family, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, to determine if they have an interest in the Woodside plant.

The name Moir’s has become synonymous with quality and synonymous with Nova Scotia, so I urge you and your Cabinet colleagues to make every effort to ensure this tradition, this plant and the more than 500 permanent jobs continue to be part of our province and our economy.

Thank you and I look forward to your early response.

Respectfully, I remain

Peter J. Kelly
Mayor

cc . Honourable Richard Hurlbert, Minister of Economic Development
Darrell Dexter, leader of the Opposition
Michel Sampson, Acting Leader, Liberal Party of Nova Scotia.