Domtar has made the decision to indefinitely halt operations at the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill located on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. The announcement was made at a town hall meeting for employees at the Port Mellon site on Aug. 20. In addition, operations at the Bayview Fibre chipping facility, also owned by Domtar, 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 the suddenness of the decision caught everyone off guard. The employees’ last day is scheduled for Oct. 19, leaving many uncertain about their future steps.
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 low pulp prices globally, and a decrease in domestic fibre availability as factors contributing to the decision to idle the facilities. Thériault emphasized that the move was a business decision and not a reflection on the employees’ efforts.
Appleton, considering himself fortunate due to his marine license, is uncertain about his future job prospects. He highlighted the significant impact the closure will have on both long-term employees and those who recently joined the workforce at the mill.
The closure of the Crofton mill by Domtar in December, affecting around 350 employees, was also mentioned. Unifor National president Lana Payne expressed disappointment at the decision and called for immediate action from the government to address the forestry industry crisis.
In response, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar acknowledged the challenges faced by those affected and emphasized the government’s commitment to collaborating with the company to find solutions. He mentioned the impact of global market changes on the pulp sector and assured support for affected individuals, including mental health services.
The closure of the Howe Sound mill underscores the deepening crisis in the forestry sector, prompting calls for government intervention to mitigate the economic repercussions on the community and workforce.
