Pot producer promises up to 136 jobs in Fredericton, with assist from province

Ontario-based cannabis producer Canopy Growth announced it willhire up to 136 employees over six years to work in its marijuana production plantunder construction in Fredericton.

The government will provide up to $1.3 million in payroll rebates over the six years if the company meets some performance criteria.

Canopy Growth purchased the property in the Vanier Industrial Park last year.

Bruce Linton, the CEO of the company, said the province is well-organized in terms of its view of cannabis.

"They were the first to sign up for how much they wanted to buy," he said. "They were the first to make the decision on how they were actually going to turn this into a business sector."

Economic benefits

The province boastedabout the economic benefits of the Canopy Growth jobs.

Opportunities New Brunswick, the Crown corporation focused on economic development, said the total direct and indirect payroll generated over the six years will fall just short of $54 million, providing$11 million in direct and indirect tax revenue for the province.

Premier Brian Gallant said he thinks the cannabis industry will grow in the province.

"There's no doubt that we are going to do what we can to have production of cannabis happen here in this province to create jobs," said Gallant.

Variety of jobs

The government said the new jobs includedlab supervisors, growers, quality assurance experts, maintenance crews and shipping and retail staff.

Linton said they runfrom entry-level positions to those requiring experience and a degree.

"They go from you coming in and I need you to show up on time and learn," Linton said.

"You may end up having some of the jobs when you go up the stream where somebody has gone and studied some scientific chemistry."

Maybe people are growing it because they're fascinated with plants.- Bruce Linton, Canopy Growth CEO

Experience growing marijuana, which is still illegal, won't necessarily give applicants a head start, but it also won't disqualify.

"We don't look for them, we don't say no to them," Linton said.

"Maybe people are growing it because they're fascinated with plants."

Canopy Growth hopes to have the production plantup and running by the time cannabis becomes legal in October.