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ATCO Group has joined the growing list of Calgary companies to lay off employees.

Company spokesman Carson Ackroyd, in an e-mail Wednesday, said ATCO is “responding to the extremely challenging economic times” but declined to say how many workers are affected.

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“We remain dedicated to the communities we have the privilege to work in and are committed to providing safe and reliable services to our customers,” Ackroyd wrote. “We wish to thank all of the people of ATCO — past and present — for their tremendous contributions to our company.”

Some reports said more than 400 people were affected by the layoffs. Ackroyd said the company — which has a workforce of around 9,000 — would not have any further comment.

Group layoffs in Alberta this year have surpassed 18,000 workers, according to new provincial government data, with eight layoff notices affecting 2,206 employees received already in November. Employers are required to notify the government of layoffs involving 50 or more people at a single location.

The province has received 114 group layoff notices affecting 18,006 workers this year. By comparison, 62 notices affecting 11,694 employees were submitted for all of 2013 and 2014.

Statistics Canada last week reported the number of Albertans receiving regular employment insurance benefits, as of September, has nearly doubled from a year earlier, growing by 28,830 people.

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

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