Canfor’s sawmill shutdowns signal potentially worse industry turmoil

Posted on September 16, 2024   |  

Canfor is closing its sawmills in Fort St. John and Plateau, leaving only its Prince George sawmill and pulp mills in the northern Interior.

Even though timber harvesting in BC's Interior is increasing in 2024, the low harvest levels and high costs make it hard to keep northern mills open.

Canfor has shut down 10 sawmills in the northern Interior since 2006, with 5 of these closures happening in the last two years.

Closing mills affects workers, suppliers, contractors, and the surrounding communities.

In 2023, only 48% of the timber available in the northern Interior was used, much lower than 69% in the southern Interior and 54% on the coast.

Earlier this year, Canfor decided not to rebuild its Houston mill, showing a lack of confidence in investing in BC's forestry industry.