Canadian-based NorSask Forest Products, a lumber producer, are bracing themselves for layoffs. The company has already sent out twenty-seven layoff notices out of the company’s forty workers.

General manager and President of NorSask Allen Brander is blaming the bad market for the layoffs.. “U.S. housing starts are usually around 1.8 to 2 million housing starts a year. They’re down to less than half a million a year, and that’s what’s driving these whole markets,” Brander said.

Brander is speaking the truth. Canadian housing sales are reflecting the hosuing market here in the states. During the month of July, sales dropped thirty percent.

Brander went on to say that no amount of layoffs would put an end to the closure of the mill. “This market does change on a daily basis. We’ll either ride this market out or we’ll start producing again,” Brander said.