Residents of Murdochville, Que., have voted 77% in favour of shutting down the town following the closure of a copper smelter, the area’s main employer.
In a union referendum, nearly 1,000 residents authorized the local chapter of the United Steelworkers of America to begin boarding up the town, which is 100 km west of Gasp.
However, critics argue that the referendum is not binding because it was held by a union and not by the municipal council. The town is expected to hold its own referendum later this summer.
Noranda closed the smelter in late May, putting 300 people out of work.
Local Deputy Mayor Gilles Chrtien told Reuters he opposed the union referendum but that he hoped the action would persuade the provincial government to create the conditions for attracting new investment to the area.
Quebec cabinet minister Remy Trudel told the provincial legislature he was studying three business projects that could help revive the town.
Murdochville was incorporated in 1953. It was named after James Murdoch, the first president of Noranda Mines, which started mining copper ore there in 1950.
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