Sask. to see net job gain despite Nutrien cuts

After launching less than two months ago, Nutrien has announced plans to reshuffle jobs in Saskatoon in the coming weeks.

Business analysts predicted job losses would follow once PotashCorp and Agrium officially merged to form Nutrien on Jan. 2.

Richard Downey, vice-president of investment and corporate relations, said eight corporate positions were being cut immediately in Saskatoon. By the end of the 2018 calendar year, another 25 positions will be cut in the city following a transition period.

“Everyone’s being met with individually … reaffirming their position or letting them know whether they’ve been impacted as a result of the merger,” Downey said.

Downey said the cuts were being offset with other jobs being moved to Saskatchewan.

“It’s never good when there’s any job layoffs, but unfortunately as part of a merger it can’t be helped. But what we did do is make sure Saskatchewan is a net gain.”

Saskatoon will see an influx of 100 positions to the city this year.

Downey said the jobs will mostly come from the U.S., specifically an Illinois PotashCorp facility and a Colorado Agrium retailer.

The vice-president also noted there will be reductions in Calgary over the next three weeks. He said it was too early in the process to provide specific numbers

Downey told 650 CKOM in January funding for Saskatchewan festivals will not be impacted by the merger.