“I was discouraged by this company’s decision to close and very disappointed by their last minute pressure tactics and by their use of a holiday Monday statement to inform hundreds of Islanders that their job would not be returning,” said Mr. Campbell.

“That discouragement lifted a bit when I was able to see how the community of Souris, the public servants of this province, federal public servants and the business community, all rallied to help workers left jobless by OCI’s actions.”

SkillsPEI rented the Eastern Kings Sportsplex Wednesday for afternoon and evening information sessions aimed at informing displaced workers of their options in seeking new employment or other opportunities.

They were joined by an influx of workers from groups including Innovation PEI, the apprenticeship program, student financial services, Career Development Services, Service Canada, Eastern College, and the Department of Community Services, Seniors, and Labour.

Approximately 300 people were left jobless by Ocean Choice International’s decision not to open the Souris plant for the 2011 lobster season. Government is now taking actions to recover nearly $10 million still owed to Island taxpayers by the Newfoundland-based seafood conglomerate.