STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.

Lack of federal work prompts Davie Shipyards to lay off another 281 workers

Dec 7, 2017 | 12:30 PM

LEVIS, Que. — The Davie Shipyard says a lack of federal contracts has forced the Quebec shipbuilder to lay off another 281 workers, raising the total number of employees out of jobs to nearly 400.

Without a “clear signal” from Ottawa, it says another 400 employees of the company — based in Levis, Que. — face uncertain futures now that construction of the supply vessel Asterix has been completed for Canada’s navy.

Davie was counting on the construction of a second supply ship called the Obelix, but Ottawa closed the door a little over a week ago.

The move prompted a protest on Sunday that attracted the participation of Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and his political opponents.