By Heather Jordan Ross
hjross@peicanada.com

A former worker at Ocean Pride Fisheries says she was contacted about returning to work this spring.

She requested anonymity, adding there is no certainty the North Lake plant will re-open.

“She (a plant employee) asked if I’d consider coming back,” she said. “When they closed the first year I left to pursue other things.”

Last spring, Ocean Pride, which is based in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia leased the facility to North Lake Seafoods, which was owned by Barry Ansems of Whim Road. North Lake Seafoods went bankrupt in December, leaving about 120 people without jobs.

A potential operator is Jack Quinn of Chestnut Ventures, a former partner in Polar Foods who leased a financially struggling Mariner Seafood in Brudenell in 2010.

However, Mr Quinn told The Graphic he had no plans to buy or lease the plant.

“I have nothing to do with it,” Mr Quinn said. “I’m not doing anything with that plant.”

Ocean Pride president Milton LeBlanc would not comment at this time.

“We can’t say anything right now,” Mr LeBlanc said.

The plant continues to employ a skeleton staff. None would confirm the plant’s status.