Insiders say Good Chance Canfor Will Stay In Mackenzie

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 04:58 AM

Prince George North MLA Pat Bell says he is happy to hear that insiders are now predicting there is an 80-20 chance the Canfor Mill will continue to operate in Mackenzie.

Bell, who represents the area ,says, "I hope that a change in the BC timber sales will benefit both Canfor and Abitibi . I know the employees have made major concessions and that could go a long way to changing the Board’s decision. "

Inside sources say there is a very real possibility that at the Canfor Board meeting on July 27^th the company will reverse its decision to close the mill " indefinitely". According to insiders, there are signs Canfor could scale down its Mackenzie operation, shutting down one line while triple shifting the other. That would mean a work force of about 300 employees down from the present 450, but would reduce the blow to the community.

These same sources say the reduction of 12 to 15 dollars a cubic meter in wood costs as a result of the new timber sale program, along with a major effort by employees in productivity would mean the community would not be as hard hit as previously announced.

It is believed local management is making a recommendation to the Board that the mill remain open at a reduced capacity.

Some down time could occur as the company could run out of logs in that community as early as August 15^th. While the log inventory rebuilds there could be some down time for the employees in the community.

Lumber prices they say have risen and while the dollar remains strong the position has changed somewhat in the industry.

Meantime, MLA Pat Bell says if the insider comments are correct, "I would be very happy . I have been working on that file a lot and I am hoping with the changes we have made, the operation is now viable."

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Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 04:58 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: lunarguy on July 18 2007 9:20 AM

So what happens to all the bettle kill wood that we have been working so hard to get harvested ? Now these two mills will not have to do that and instead take prime wood that is located close to them to give Canfor shareholders profits ? If the company had saved up some of the millions when they were making it in past years this wouldn't be an issue.

Posted by: REALIST on July 18 2007 10:34 AM

I know that this is a bit of a stretch but I certainly would not put this past these guys. Let's say we have a politician who was a member of a political party that supported big business at all costs. It is determined that the large corporation wants to increase it's profits by cutting wages and decreasing employee benefits. The corporation announces that it will close it's mill and thus basically kill a community. Suddenly, a hero looms on the horizon, a shining knight who is willing to jump into the fray and try and save the community. Despite all better business practices (where profit is the only consideration in decisions) the mill suddenly agrees to remain open (thanks in part to concessions made by employees, strengthening the companies bottom line, while reducing the employees ability to maintain a decent living)and our shinning hero now looks like a god in the eyes of those we seems to have saved. What benefits would this bring? Increased profit for employer, greater dependence of employees to the company, and the creation of a publicity bonus for the politician who can expect loyalty from those who believe he saved their bacon. The politician gets re-elected and thus, can continue to help large corporations maintain there connections within government and further the cause of corporate interests. It would be beautiful. Increased profits, maintenance of political power, a public who believes it has been saved when in fact it has been the brunt of yet another corporate scheme to control our lives. Downside? possible exposure of scheme but, unlikely due to small number of people in the know. Thin? Yes. Are politicians and corporations capable of such deception? Without a doubt.

Posted by: lmorg on July 18 2007 4:23 PM

That's quite a conspiracy theory, realist. However, knowing that Big Industry and politicians are in bed together, you may have something there!

Posted by: Andyfreeze on July 18 2007 8:48 PM

I kind of figured all along maybe Canfor was rattling chains to see what they could get.
And with Jimmy Pattison on the board and a major share holder,anything is possible.
And you can also bet it is very political too!!!
I wouldn't trust Canfor OR the government!

Posted by: Chadermando on July 19 2007 12:42 AM

I think the mill has a chance to be innovative and save all 450 jobs through a more flexible shift schedule with reduced mandatory full-time work weeks. Give the mill the competition and flexibility it needs to avoid costs associated with a lack of qualified and available employees. Some might want to work 28-35 hour weeks with full benefits. It is not like they all have big mortgages in that part of the world. It�s the cost of spending time in a mill that is the real issue.

Then run one of the two mills 21x7 with an hour maintenance and clean-up between production runs. Set up a program where Canfor can partner with their employees who wish to use their off time to create spin off related businesses in a partnership with Jimmy Paterson and Canfor....

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on July 19 2007 12:55 AM

Lets have some fun with REALISTS comrade crap..

Downside yet another corporate scheme to control our lives thus basically kill a shining knight that supported big business from those who believe Increased profit due to small number of people in the know. Thin employees maintain a decent living can continue to help beautiful small people in the know. Despite greater dependence of employees to the company profits and a public who believes it has been saved is a bit of a stretch but I certainly would not put this past these guys.
Let's say a member seems to have connections within and further the cause of party member that it will jump into the fray and kill a community in a scheme like a god can continue to help past politicians
deception fray looms on the horizon.

deception? Without a doubt.