West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. will permanently close its mill in 100 Mile House, B.C., by the end of this year, putting roughly 165 people out of work.
It says in a statement that the mill is no longer able to reliably access enough economically viable timber.
West Fraser says challenging softwood lumber demand, higher duties and additional tariffs have compounded the situation.
The company pays combined countervailing and anti-dumping duties of 26.47 per cent and the Trump administration has threatened to add another 10 per cent, saying Canadian lumber is a risk to U.S. national security.
West Fraser says it will also close its mill in Augusta, Ga., and that the 2024 curtailment at mills in Huttig, Ark., and Lake Butler, Fla., will be made permanent to allow the company to "compete in this challenging environment."
B.C. Forest Minister Ravi Parmar says he's "heartbroken over the decision" and says he can't imagine the fear and anger that forestry workers and their families in 100 Mile House must be feeling.
Parmar said he has spoken directly to the company and has assurances from West Fraser that it will look after its employees and try to find work at other operations across the Cariboo region.
"And let's be clear, this closure is another consequence of Donald Trump's unfair attack on Canada's forestry sector," he said in a statement on social media.
"This is also a stark reminder to the federal government that they must live up to their commitment to people in B.C. and ensure our province receives its fair share of forestry support dollars."
Picture Courtesy: Jonathan Hayward/TCPI/The Canadian Press
