Ottawa, ON – Aaron Gunn, Conservative Member of Parliament for North Island—Powell River; Jeff Kibble, Conservative Member of Parliament for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford; and Tamara Kronis, Conservative Member of Parliament for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, issued the following statement on the Crofton Mill closure:
“Today’s announcement on the closure of Vancouver Island’s Crofton pulp mill is devastating news for the families of 375 workers who must now scramble to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.
“The mill was the lifeblood of Crofton and the surrounding community. The mill employed over a quarter of the town’s population, and it alone created nearly $1 billion in economic impact for the region.
“This closure won’t just affect Crofton. There is now one fewer buyer for the lumber harvested by Canadian forestry workers, meaning the closure’s impact will spread far and wide. When asked about future negotiations with Trump, Carney blithely replied ‘who cares?’
“Who cares? Crofton cares. Ear Falls cares. 100 Mile House cares.
“And Conservatives care. We care about the workers of the 21 sawmills in British Columbia that have already closed due to this Liberal government’s diplomatic failures. We care about the hundreds of workers being laid off across Canada and the families who now have to fear for their future.
“Already, we have seen 150 Islanders lose their jobs at the Western Forest Products’ Sawmill in Chemainus and 165 more job losses in 100 Mile House after the West Fraser Timber mill shut down. Today’s closure is yet another blow to BC’s forestry industry, which continues to feel the consequences of the Liberals’ failure to get a softwood deal.
“Prime Minister Stephen Harper negotiated an end to, and refund of, American softwood lumber tariffs within 79 days of becoming Prime Minister. The Liberals have been in power for 10 years, yet have not been able to get a deal or get rid of the new tariffs that were imposed on Canada after Carney took office.
“Not only has Mark Carney failed to get tariffs removed, but the tariffs have tripled after he unilaterally backed down and ended Canada’s multiple legal disputes against the illegal and indefensible tariffs.
“It’s time the Prime Minister started caring too.”