Town of Orangeville is laying off 143 employees

As a result of Town facility closures and service adjustments amidst the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Town of Orangeville has laid off 143 Town employees.

Affected are casual and part-time employees in the areas of recreation and events, libraries, crossing guard services, and recreation facility support. Along with school closures in mid-March, the Town’s libraries, recreation centres and facilities closed on March 14 as part of the Town’s emergency plan to help halt the spread of the virus.

“In an unprecedented time, we have been called upon to make a very difficult and unprecedented decision,” said Town CAO Ed Brennan. “The closure of all library and recreation facilities for an extended period has resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of programs and services and a shortage of work for those who deliver those programs. We will continue to monitor and respond to these challenging times we are all facing.”

Staff impacted by this decision will be able to apply for provincial and federal supports put in place during the crisis. “As the community recovers from the pandemic the Town looks forward to reopening facilities and restoring impacted services, and to the opportunity to call back laid-off workers as soon as possible,” Mayor Sandy Brown said.