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Cannery loses its general manager

Before ending the tourist season at the North Pacific Cannery, its general manager announced her departure.
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Lesley Moore

Before ending the tourist season at the North Pacific Cannery, its general manager announced her departure.

Despite the absence of leadership, the board of directors wants to ensure that operations will continue as normal until the season ends Oct. 1.

Lesley Moore moved to the North Coast for the general manager position two seasons ago. She came with more than 44 years working in the heritage field and helped bring the B.C. Heritage Fair, a community history project for students, to life at the cannery.

“I love the coast. Most of my life I’ve lived on an ocean with mountains nearby,” Moore said in an interview in July. “Historic sites at the best of times are challenging because it’s not just one building — it’s a whole site with everything that means. That’s why I came up here.”

During Moore’s time at the 127-year-old facility, guest admissions grew significantly with a five per cent increase in the 2016 season.

“We recognize with gratitude Lesley’s vigorous efforts in her position and her undeniable passion for northwest BC history,” said Bob Payette, the president of the Port Edward Historical Society, which is a non-profit organization that is responsible for the cannery’s administration. “We wish Lesley every success as she writes the next chapter in her storied career within the Canadian heritage sector.”

Onsite staff will take over the tour bookings and event registrations until the cannery closes in the autumn. There was no confirmed date in the press release for when the board of directors will begin recruiting for management candidates to fill Moore’s position.

The $2.3-million restoration of the cannery’s 40,000-square foot working dock is on schedule to be completed for celebrations of Canada’s 150th anniversary next year.

Portions of the working dock and the historic buildings are available to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday until Sunday. For more information, visit northpacificcannery.ca.