British Columbia’s forests minister says the province will fight against “unfair duties and stand up for forestry workers” after Canfor Corp. announced the closure of two northern B.C. sawmills, partly blaming “punitive” U.S. tariffs imposed last month.
Bruce Ralston says the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to increase punishing softwood lumber duties, on top of low prices for lumber, is hurting forestry communities.
Canfor Corp. announced Wednesday that it was shutting the Plateau mill in Vanderhoof and its Fort St. John operation would also remove 670 million board feet of annual production capacity.
The company blamed the closures on the challenge of accessing economically viable timber, as well as ongoing financial losses and weak lumber markets, but said the final blow was the big increase in U.S. tariffs.
Ralston says the forest sector is a “foundational part” of the province and the government will work to support local jobs.
He says the province is focused on supporting the approximately 500 workers who are impacted by the closures, and is also working to increase access to fibre and support for made-in-B.C. wood manufacturing.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2024.
