A prominent employer in the South Cariboo region of British Columbia is permanently closing its lumber mill, impacting not only the 165 employees directly affected but also creating a ripple effect throughout the community. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has announced the closure of its mill in 100 Mile House by the year’s end due to challenges in obtaining sufficient economically viable timber and facing difficult softwood lumber markets along with escalating U.S. trade measures.
Although the company plans to offer alternative work opportunities at other facilities, approximately 165 workers at the site will be impacted. Mayor Maureen Pinkney of 100 Mile House expressed concerns that the closure will have a broader impact, affecting around 500 indirect jobs and the entire community. The town, with a population of just over 1,900, is still recovering from the closure of two other major mills in 2019. Pinkney emphasized the potential exodus of families due to the job losses and the strain it will put on local infrastructure funding.
The closure has been described as “very sad” by Mayor Pinkney, who highlighted the significant economic repercussions of losing key mills in the community. She urged affected workers to refer to a handbook created after the 2019 closures for guidance. Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson labeled the shutdown as “absolutely devastating” and emphasized the far-reaching impact on the region.
B.C. Forest Minister Ravi Parmar expressed his distress over the decision, attributing it to U.S. trade actions against Canadian softwood lumber. He called on the federal government to fulfill its commitment to supporting the province’s forestry sector. Opposition critic Ward Stamer criticized the provincial government for its approach to forestry policies and regulations, emphasizing the importance of addressing the decline in fibre supply.
As the community grapples with the closure, Mayor Pinkney emphasized the need to focus on future opportunities for 100 Mile House. She highlighted plans to collaborate with the provincial government to attract new industries to the area and secure infrastructure investments. The closure of the mill is expected to have a lasting impact on the local economy and residents, prompting calls for support and proactive measures to mitigate the effects of the shutdown.
