Canfor, a Vancouver-based corporation, announced on Tuesday the impending closure of the Prince George Northwood Pulp Mill, leading to the layoff of hundreds of employees later this year. The decision was attributed to challenging market conditions and difficulties in accessing wood fibre, resulting in unsustainable financial losses.
City Councillor Tim Bennett of Prince George expressed concern over the closure, emphasizing the significant impact it will have on the community, affecting the lives of 300 employees and their families, with far-reaching consequences.
In response to the closure, BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar stated that the provincial government is mobilizing resources to support affected workers and is committed to charting a path forward to restore stability in the industry. Parmar highlighted the decline in pulp prices globally, particularly in China, a key market for British Columbia’s pulp exports.
The BC Council of Forest Industries revealed that since 2023, 21 lumber mills in British Columbia have closed permanently or indefinitely, with the recent closure of the Crofton pulp mill resulting in 350 job losses in December last year.
Kim Haakstad, CEO of COFI, stressed the need for comprehensive government support for the forest industry, urging a unified effort from all ministries to ensure its sustainability and growth. Parmar echoed these concerns, acknowledging the unprecedented challenges facing the forestry sector and the looming threat of further mill closures.
Since 2022, British Columbia’s forest sector has shed over 15,000 jobs, underscoring the urgency of addressing the industry’s systemic issues.