Ottawa, ON – Gaétan Malette, Conservative Associate Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Mining and Forestry); and Arnold Viersen, Conservative Member of Parliament for Peace River – Westlock, released the following statement:
“As the forestry sector faces difficult conditions, declining US demand for softwood lumber, and increasingly damaging tariffs, mill closures across Canada are adding to the distress.
“Vancouver-based Canfor announced the permanent closure of its Fox Creek sawmill in northwestern Alberta. The company cited US tariffs, and weak market conditions that reduced the mill’s productivity and competitiveness.
“In a town of less than 1,800 people, this closure will affect 74 good-paying jobs: leaving workers and their families struggling to pay their bills, support their children and maintain a stable life.
“The announcement came shortly after Interfor relocated headquarters from Vancouver to Atlanta because of the weak condition of its Canadian operations. It also follows the closure of West Fraser’s High Level OSB mill in April, which affected approximately 190 workers.
“Alberta’s forestry sector directly employs approximately 17,500 Albertans and indirectly supports nearly 24,000 additional jobs. As Canada’s third-largest producer of softwood lumber, Alberta plays an essential role in the national forestry industry and in the economic prosperity of many rural and northern communities.
“Canadian softwood lumber tariffs have now increased to more than 45 per cent. These tariffs threaten forestry companies throughout the communities of Peace River—Westlock, including Tolko, Millar Western Forest Products, Boucher Bros. Lumber, Evergreen Lumber, High Prairie Forest Products, Vanderwell Contractors, Blue Ridge Lumber and La Crete Sawmills.
“In many communities these companies are not simply employers, they are the economic lifeline of the entire town. When a mill closes, the consequences extend far beyond the individual workers who lose their jobs. Local businesses suffer, families leave, municipal revenues decline and communities risk becoming ghost towns.
“It is worth remembering that former Prime Minister Stephen Harper secured a softwood lumber agreement within 80 days. The current Liberal government has failed to negotiate a new agreement and has allowed Canada’s negotiation position with the US to deteriorate to a historic low.
“We are calling on the government to keep its promise, negotiate an agreement with the United States that is good for Canadian workers, and provide meaningful support to Canada’s forestry industry.
“Thousands of families in Alberta and across Canada depend on the government getting this right. Their jobs, communities and futures are at stake.”