Goodwill coming back to Toronto area, but no guarantees for laid-off workers

Months after Goodwill abruptly shut down its Toronto area stores, there is some hope on the horizon. Today, another Goodwill branch announced an expansion in Southern Ontario -- including Toronto.

Michelle Quintyn, president of Goodwill Ontario Great Lakes, tells As It Happens host Carol Off people shouldn't expect new Goodwill stores to open right away."It will take some time to lay the foundation," she says. 

"It will probably take five years to get the momentum that was once there."

Goodwill Toronto shut its doors in mid-January, to the surprise of its 450 workers who were laid off. Those employees were unionized, but when asked if the new Toronto-area employees will be in a union, she said:

"No, it won't be...we certainly don't have that situation in our current operation and it is that current operation that will be expanding."

We're hoping to grow back to the same level of participation in communities that was there," she says. "And far beyond that.- Michelle Quintyn, President of Goodwill Ontario Great Lakes

She says there is no obligation to re-hire employees that were laid off, but former workers are welcome to apply. 

"Our door will remain open to anyone who applies for work as we go forward," she says.

One of the challenges faced by Goodwill Toronto was high rent, which made it hard to break even. Quintyn says the organization has faced similar challenges in other regions and that creating momentum will lead to more growth.  

"We're hoping to grow back to the same level of participation in communities that was there," she says. "And far beyond that."

Disclosure: Carol Off's brother is an executive with Ontario Great Lakes Goodwill.