Domtar has revealed the “indefinite idling” of operations at the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. The announcement was made at a town hall meeting for employees on August 20 at the Port Mellon site. Domtar, the mill’s owner, also stated that operations at the Bayview Fibre chipping facility will be idled. Approximately 400 employees will be impacted by this decision.
Andrew Appleton, a tugboat captain at the mill for 22 years, expressed his shock at the news, mentioning that employees were not expecting such a swift outcome. Employees were informed that their last day at the mill would be October 19, leading to a sense of uncertainty among the workforce.
In 2015, a partial closure of operations at the mill affected up to 180 workers. Domtar’s president, Luc Thériault, cited reduced demand from Asia, ongoing poor global pulp pricing, and a decrease in affordable domestic fibre as factors contributing to the decision. Thériault emphasized that the idling of these facilities was a business decision prompted by market conditions, acknowledging the impact on employees and the community.
Appleton, contemplating his future job prospects, highlighted the challenges faced by employees, including those who recently relocated to work at the mill. Domtar had previously announced the permanent closure of its Crofton mill, affecting around 350 employees. The closure’s ripple effects on local businesses were noted by Appleton, who expressed concern about sustaining operations in the area.
Unifor National president Lana Payne criticized the idling of operations at the Howe Sound mill, calling for urgent intervention from government authorities to address the forestry sector crisis. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar expressed empathy for those affected by the decision, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to support impacted individuals and navigate the sector’s challenges.
The pulp sector’s struggle amidst global market shifts and historic price lows was underscored by Parmar, who pledged to engage with the Sunshine Coast community to provide necessary support during the transition.