Strong Canadian Dollar Being Blamed For Moosehead Layoffs

27 administrative employees at Moosehead have been laid off as their jobs have been eliminated because of the strength of the Canadian dollar which has made brewing beer in Saint John more expensive. 

Company President Andrew Oland says this threatened the contractual relationship between Moosehead and a large unnamed international brewer.
 
Oland also says the Moosehead Country Store is being closed to allow for the brewery to expand. The merchandise will be available online and Moosehead is looking for a third party retailer.
 
He adds this has nothing to do with slow beer sales this past summer but warns if this contract with the international brewer is not renewed, then hourly workers will be laid off but Oland doesn't expect that would happen before October of 2012, if it comes to pass at all.