Forests Minister Says Mill Closures No Surprise
Peince George, B.C. – Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources, Steve Thomson, is still in China, but has issued a statement about the mill closures in Quesnel and Houston.
"First, I wish to extend my sympathies to the workers and their families affected by these two closures.
"I understand the companies are taking steps to address workers’ needs either through offering jobs elsewhere in the companies, or providing assistance in searching for other employment. Provincial and federal assistance is also available for affected workers and provincial government staff will be working closely with the District of Houston and City of Quesnel.
Thomson says, unfortunately, "given the mountain-pine-beetle infestation, this news is not unexpected".
West Fraser and Canfor announced the closure of the two mills , a move that directly impact 234 employees. There has been no estimate on the trickle down effect of the closures as loggers, haulers, and suppliers also expect to be impacted.
West Fraser is closing it’s mill in Houston, directly impacting 209 workers. That mill will be fully shut down in the 2nd quarter of 2014. Canfor is closing it’s Quesnel sawmill, directly impacting 225 workers. That mill is expected to be closed by the end of March.
The companies also did a forest tenure swap, to support other facilities in each of those two communities.
Comments
Wasn’t that long ago I was reading something about the forest industry struggling because they can’t get enough workers, and that they need to get foreign workers to fill all open vacancies. I wonder if those affected will move to fill those jobs, or will they stay in their community and leave them for someone from another country to fill, or do they even exist at all?
I hear Canfor shipping lots of logs from Mckenzie to Grande Prairie Alberta. I guess the mills there need the wood more than the mills in B.C.
Posted by: ski50 on October 25 2013 5:24 PM
Wasn’t that long ago I was reading something about the forest industry struggling because they can’t get enough workers, and that they need to get foreign workers to fill all open vacancies. I wonder if those affected will move to fill those jobs, or will they stay in their community and leave them for someone from another country to fill, or do they even exist at all?
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Most of the vacancies are in the Forestry side of the business (ie out in the bush) and not on the milling side. It’s highly doubtful that many (if any!) of the mill workers will accept positions out in the bush.
Just maybe the rebuild of Babine and the promise of timber by the provincial gov’t helped cause the mill closures.
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