Williams Lake, B.C. – A dip in copper prices has led to layoffs at the Gibraltar Mine just north of Williams Lake.

Close to 50 unionized and management jobs have been affected along with 20 contractor positions.

Couple that with all the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Mt. Polley Mine and an anticipated drop in the annual allowable cut later this year, and you’d think it would be having a negative effect on the local economy.

Well not so according to the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce.

“No it doesn’t seem to be. I know people are certainly always watching their pennies but they’re still out shopping and the restaurants are busy and we were at the studio theatre this week and it was jam packed,” says executive director Claudia Blair.

“So I think people are still going on with their lives and we’re very positive here. We’re trying to work together.”

She says the layoffs at Gibraltar were “expected” considering the price of copper and notes Williams Lake is a very resilient community that has seen its share of challenges over the years.

“Very resilient. And I find that people do seem to want to work together more than ever. We’re looking forward to good days.”