Subsidies may be needed for Nain, Postville plants: Barbour

The Inuit government in northern Labrador is trying to keep two troubled seafood processing plants open this year.

Torngat Fish Producers says it will not open its money-losing plants in Nain and Postville this year.

If so, about 200 plant workers will be unemployed for the fishing season, and fishermen from the area will not be able to sell their catches close to home.

William Barbour, the minister of lands and resources with the Nunatsiavut government, said he and others want to find a solution to keep the plants open this year.

Barbour said, however, that any help may come with a price tag attached.

"The last subsidy that I knew about that Torngat did receive from the provincial government, they were being subsidized to the tune of $400,000 a year," he said.

"How we're going to find the money to do that, we're going to have to have that discussion."

Barbour said he will meet with representatives of Torngat Fish Producers on Friday to discuss ways for the government to help.