Plant closure shocks and saddens workers in local factory

CertainTeed Canada will close its gypsum wallboard plant in McAdam by the end of February 2021. The vast majority of the 59 employees will lose their jobs by the end of August when production of wallboard ceases at the plant. Approximately 10 remaining employees will stay on until February to ship the remaining inventory. The plant's workers and their families, along with Mayor Ken Stannix, were shocked and saddened by the news when they were informed of plans for the plant's closure last Thursday.

"My first concern was the workers and their families and how we can be there as a community for them," says Stannix. "We would like to retain them as members of our community."

A decline for wallboard products in the Atlantic Canadian market was cited as a the main reason for the decision to close the plant. Certainteed is currently the largest employer in McAdam, and its closure will have a deep social and economic impact on the entire village community. Stannix is hopeful the plant can be repurposed by another company and is hoping to retain most of the employees as residents of the village by helping to find them new job opportunities in the area.

To overcome the social distancing obstacles created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pride festivals in Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton teamed up this year to virtually host New Brunswick's first ever province-wide pride festival. NB Pride was held primarily online and included educational workshops, a variety show, TV bingo, a drag extravanza, and a virtual house party. CHCO-TV was proud to lend our television platform to co-host NB Pride TV Bingo. Host Lee Heenan did his usual caller duties last Tuesday night, while performers Ruby and Angel announced the winners of the games.

Although COVID-19 made it impossible to have an annual Pride parade, Pride festivals have always been more than just a celebration of the LGBTQ community--they're a social movement promoting equality and inclusivity, which is why finding a way to still have a Pride festival this year was necessary, according to President of Saint John Pride, Michael Cummings.

"Pride is more than just a celebration," says Cummings. "It's about showing people there's a community that accepts them and reaching people who might otherwise feel isolated and excluded for who they are." 

Finally, the Garcelon Civic Centre has begun its staggered re-opening, beginning with the gym and walking track. During the first phase of re-opening, the gym is open only to members who had a valid membership in March of this year. The Quartermain Arena has a planned re-opening date of August 1st for private rentals. 

If you're near the Garcelon, you can also mark Christmas in July by catching a  glimpse of St. Stephen's official town Christmas tree for 2020, which was recently planted on the waterfront and will be decorated with lights and ornaments in December.