Another wave of sawmill closures swept across British Columbia in 2024, from West Fraser’s Fraser Lake facility to Canfor’s operations in Polar, Vanderhoof, and Fort St. John. As the Northern View reported, Chief Robert Michelle of the Stellat’en warned that “the economic impact for our communities will be dire,” citing job losses not just in the Fraser Lake mill but also among log haulers, restaurant workers and gas station employees. These closures disrupt entire local economies. It is clear that current conditions cannot sustain profitable operations, leaving businesses struggling and workers unemployed.
The fundamental issue lies in how Victoria approaches forest policy. The government faces mounting pressure from multiple
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