There is no question Pacific Insight has been a remarkable success story, growing from humble beginnings back in 1979, financed through Community Futures, to operations in Nelson, Vancouver and Mexico. In October 2017 they were sold to Methode Corporation with a promise not to move operations.
Of course, we know what happened — they moved the majority of operations to Mexico within a year. Can-Filters, in business on the North Shore since 1989, was purchased by ScottsMiracle-Gro, again with a promise not to move operations. Eight months later all 27 employees were let go.
The promise is not a promise, it’s an acquisition tool. It’s obvious, if these promises were to be signed and sealed, neither purchase would have happened and both Pacific Insight and Can-Filters would still be here.
How do we let these corporations walk into our backyard, steal 200-plus jobs and get away with it? Shame on our governments for not providing protection against this type of theft. Why are the laid-off workers, the community and local governments not organizing a strong protest? This is an important issue, don’t take it lying down.
A quote from Thomas Jefferson: “I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”
William White
Passmore