BROOKS, AB (NEWS1130) – The processing plant behind the e.coli scare is laying off thousands.

XL Foods in Brooks, Alberta, will temporarily lay off about 2,000 workers as it deals with the largest meat recall in Canadian history.

On Thursday, the plant was given permission to resume limited meat processing under strict supervision.

The company tells us its employees have been receiving full pay for the past three weeks, but since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can’t say when the plant will be able to resume full operations, the temporary layoffs are necessary.

Fifteen people have become sick from the tainted beef, including three here in BC.

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