Prince George, BC – Bob Zimmer, Conservative Member of Parliament for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, and Todd Doherty, Conservative Member of Parliament for Cariboo—Prince George, released the following statement on the Northwood Pulp Mill closure:
“This week’s announcement of yet another closure in Canada’s lumber sector, this time affecting the 300 employees at the Northwood Pulp Mill in Prince George, is devastating news for the workers and their families.
“As the mill winds down production, they will be left wondering how to keep their roof over their heads, how to keep their fridges stocked with food and how they’re going to register their kids for hockey this fall.
“In Northern BC, forestry is more than just another sector of the economy. These jobs helped support entire communities, and when a mill closes, everyone – from truck drivers, logging contractors and mechanics to restaurants, retailers and small businesses – across the region will be feeling the impact.
“Canada’s forestry industry has supported hundreds of thousands of jobs, generated billions of dollars for our economy, and supplies our country with essential goods from homes and furniture to shipping boxes and paper.
“The Northwood Pulp Mill closure will be another profound loss for the sector, with one fewer buyer for Canadian lumber harvested by our forestry workers. It also highlights Carney’s continued failure to secure a deal with the Americans, despite promising one for our workers over a year and a half ago.
“Prime Minister Stephen Harper was able to negotiate an end to, and refund of, American softwood lumber tariffs within 79 days of becoming Prime Minister. Continuing a ‘wait and see’ approach to negotiations after 11 years of failing to secure a deal on lumber only increases uncertainty for the industry and job losses for our workers.
“While Conservatives have called for a deal that would end America’s softwood lumber tariffs, Carney has repeatedly conceded our leverage without getting anything in return. That’s despite tariffs and duties on Canadian softwood having tripled to 45 per cent since he became Prime Minister.
“It’s time to turn rhetoric into reality and deliver by building leverage and unleashing our resources to rebuild our industrial base, attract investment and confront US tariffs. That’s how we’ll defend Canadian workers and build our strength for an unbreakable Canada.”