Dec 16, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Tolko is set to lay off almost 500 employees for a shutdown which will last over the Christmas and New Year, Opasquia Times reported. One of the largest employers in The Pas, Tolko is conducting the shutdown for a two week period for what they are terming a readjustment of inventory levels and a weak market. In total, the layoff will run from December 22 to January 4 at the Kraft Paper mill, with a press release issued by the company stating the shutdown is needed to adjust inventory levels to match demand. The sawmill will also be shutdown for the exact same time frame, with a weak lumber market cited as the main reason in that case. A skeleton crew will be working during the shutdown, making sure necessary equipment is kept running and maintenance is done during the shutdown, but no actually paper production will be carried out for the 13 day period.