It’s not clear whether job cuts at the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans will affect any employees on Haida Gwaii. According to Terence Davis, regional director of communications for DFO’s Pacific region, as many as 330 jobs could be trimmed across Canada over the next three years as the result of a strategic review. Mr. Davis said the employees have received letters advising them that their positions may be affected, but some of them will end up keeping their jobs, some could find other jobs in the department, and some could choose to retire. Many of the job losses will be in Ottawa, he added. “Fisheries and Oceans Canada is a highly regional department,” he said. “While only 15 percent of the department’s workforce is in Ottawa, 26 percent of the impact will be felt in Ottawa.” Mr. Davis told the Observer he can’t provide any information about whether the DFO offices in Masset and Queen Charlotte will be affected by the layoffs.
