Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy 
(photo by Kirk Scott)Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy (photo by Kirk Scott)
Midwestern

City issues layoff notices in Owen Sound

Owen Sound has issued temporary layoff notices due to a significant loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Ian Boddy said they had to give these notices to 40 full-time staff members, while 20 seasonal and summer students will not be hired at this time.

“It’s about 60 people that are affected. We’re pretty upset about having to do this. But we’re like everyone else in the community who have to figure out how to make ends meet. We will maintain their health benefits for them,” said Boddy.

The layoffs, which will come into effect in May after the required 20 day notice, mostly affects departments that provide public services or maintain facilities that are currently closed. Boddy said residents will likely start to notice parks and properties not being cared for as well as they have been in the past.

“This is definitely temporary, until we get the ‘go ahead’ from the province to fire back up and get going," added Boddy.

He added the city is trying to help residents through this difficult economic time, by providing free garbage bag tags, as well as waiving fees like transit fares, penalties, and interest on late property taxes.

Boddy said there is no indication Grey County will follow suit in regards to layoffs.

An update will be provided at next Monday’s council meeting.

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