[GreenLantern]

As far as the natural sciences go, at one point the work field was very saturated. There were far to many comfortable old farts that didn't have the energy or care to do proper research anymore, just riding out a cushy government job. I admit that they went a little too far, they could have scaled back the layoffs about 30% and been fine.. but I was not surprised to see it.

Now a lot of these guys retired, as they were near or over due for it anyway. A lot ended up going to the provincial level or university level where they will be forced to do actual work. And a lot of their research sites were taken over by Universities. Our group inherited a vast wealth of research equipment/sites that were sitting relatively un used besides the odd temperature or wind speed measurement.

These sites and equipment are now being put to full use and have created jobs and opportunities for professionals and students at the University research level that would not otherwise have been there. Always two sides to the story.