CANFOR has announced the permanent closure of its Northwood pulp mill outside Prince George, signalling the loss of about 300 jobs and intensifying concern about the future of B.C.'s forest sector. The Vancouver-based company said continuing market pressures and persistent difficulties securing wood fibre left the operation financially unsustainable.
Company cites oversupply and fibre access
In a statement, Canfor described a combination of global and local factors that led to the decision. Additional production capacity internationally has, the company said, contributed to an oversupplied market and depressed prices for pulp and paper products. Coupled with what it called ongoing challenges in accessing wood fibre, the company said the Northwood facility had endured "a prolonged period of unsustainable financial losses." With no clear improvement on the horizon, Canfor moved to close the mill.
"Prince George's forestry economy sector is negatively impacted today," Prince George Mayor Simon Yu said as he pledged to work with federal and provincial governments to help affected families.
Local and provincial reaction
Municipal and provincial leaders promptly responded. Prince George's mayor called the announcement a blow to the city's forestry-based economy and signalled a city-hall commitment to coordinate with senior governments. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar described the news as "heartbreaking" for workers, their families and the surrounding community and said he had reached out to Unifor Local 603 and local officials.
Provincial ministries listed by Parmar — including Forests, Jobs and Social Development — are mobilising staff to deliver supports to those affected. Canfor said it will offer severance and will look into the possibility of redeploying employees to other company sites.
Wider context for B.C.'s forest industry
The closure is the latest in a series of shutdowns that have hit B.C.'s forestry sector in recent years. Industry representatives and governments have pointed to several headwinds: fluctuating global demand, trade disputes, soft lumber prices and changing access to timber supply. Canfor specifically referenced international capacity increases and pricing pressures as key contributors to the mill's losses.
- Company: Canfor (Vancouver-based)
- Facility: Northwood pulp mill, near Prince George, B.C.
- Jobs affected: ~300 positions
- Support measures: severance, potential redeployment, provincial services mobilisation
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Northwood area, near Prince George, B.C. |
| Employer | Canfor |
| Estimated job losses | 300 |
| Immediate government response | Provincial ministries deploying support; city coordination |
For workers and families in Prince George, the announced closure raises immediate concerns about employment, income and community stability. Canfor's assurances of severance and exploration of redeployment will be closely watched. Local leaders have urged senior governments to identify supports that can soften the economic impact in the short term while seeking longer-term solutions for forestry-dependent communities.
As this story develops, provincial officials and Unifor Local 603 are expected to provide further details on supports for employees and any timelines related to the mill’s shutdown.
