Hogtown Takedown

Toronto was called "Hogtown", I never really knew why but apparently we had a lot of pig slaughterhouses.

The last of these sits hidden right downtown in the heart of condo development. The stench from this plant has always been overwhelming in the area and I've always wondered how people live with it. 23,000 pigs were slaughtered here weekly and the constant screams from pigs breathing their last breath before getting zapped was terrifying to say the least. Several times I went down there and I have to confess, it made me want to try and set them free.

But this plant produced 25% of all Ontario's Pork output and most of us enjoy a little bacon etc. Their utmost "humane" method of slaughter was never in question, unlike many other meat plants. Still, many animal activists could be found down here nebulously picketing for a shut down of this place regularly.

With a hundred year lease and a good chunk of government help money, 2 generations ran this place like a well oiled profit machine since 1922. Word is that the grandchildren have ran it into the ground acquiring over 70 million dollars in debt. They cite PED (Porcine epidemic diarrhea) as the cause of their dilemma, which is a disease that in recent years has been killing piglets and forcing sky rocketing costs of doing business in the pork trade.

Last month 750 workers were sent home, never to return.

I found myself here by accident and only had my little belt camera so photos are quite horrid but gives you an idea of the industrial orgasm going on here. Power is still on in many areas.

Security is heavy (booths on both sides) as there is a fear that disgruntled workers will return to seek revenge by damage etc. There are 180 cameras on all corners and I believe I tripped some sort of sensors inside (paranoia may destroya!) . Not totally a thorough explore as many flashing lights were tripping me out a bit also. I think the Canada Food Inspection Agency (west side of complex) could still be very active and business as usual so going too deep into this monster wasn't in the cards. It is easy to get lost in here.

Equipment and machinery will be vanishing here quickly as creditors are seeking auction to recoup some loses.

UPDATE: New album posted after re-entry showing all equipment tagged for auction. Here is a lovely article explaining how the lawyers and banks will get their fake money repaid first, and most likely all the regular farmers owed real money will be left out to dry. Nice system. http://www.betterfarming.com/online-news/receiver-flushes-out-quality-meat-packers-assets-56388

Here is the completed auction list, with pictures and closing bids: http://www.bidspotter.com/en-us/auction-catalogues/hilco-asset-sales-canada/catalogue-id-bschil10029

I suspect the place will sit fairly empty for a while, and demo will follow in spring.