Canopy Growth is not saying anything at this time about its 11,750 square meter cannabis production facility in the White Hills areas of St. John’s.

Today, the company announced 500 layoffs connected with the closure of its grow facilities in Aldergrove and Delta, British Columbia.

The company says the two facilities are “no longer essential to its cultivation footprint,” citing slower than anticipated growth in the country’s recreational cannabis market.

Canopy reported a $282.7-million loss last year.

In a statement sent to VOCM News, Canopy CEO David Klein says he is committed to focusing the business and aligning its resources to meet the needs of consumers. He says the decision to close the two BC facilities was not taken lightly, but was a “necessary step” to ensure they “maintain their leadership position” in the long-term.

All this as the provincial Auditor General conducts a review on the province’s cannabis industry, including the supply contract awarded to Canopy Growth in December, 2017.

Ground was broken at the site in May of 2018.

Last year, the Official Opposition focused a great deal of attention on the $40-million deal with the provincial government, asking for the identity of private shareholders behind a numbered company linked to Canopy Growth.