Paper Excellence Canada Mill in Mackenzie has announced a curtailment of over 250 employees, set to happen in the final week of June.
COVID-19’s effect on the pulp market has been blamed for the curtailment.
While not directly impacted, Prince George will be feeling effects simply because of proximity, says Mayor Lyn Hall.
“So if there are 253 employes out in Mackenzie that are no longer employed that means that we have lost a great deal of our trading area,” explained Hall, speaking at the BC Resources Coalition Town Hall on Facebook Live.
“Those people will spend money in their own community obviously, but they also may spend money coming into Prince George on a weekend, shopping at Costco, the Home Depot and the mall, Central Builders, all over the place. We lose that, that is a huge hit for us,” he added.
Prince George is also dealing with the aftermath of curtailments and closures of its own, with Canfor closing the Isle Pierre Sawmill on May 20th.
“This is why it’s so important to take care of our communities, as a council and senior staff, but we also recognize the responsibility we have, given the size of the city we are, we have a responsibility to everyone that we trade with,” Hall explained.
The municipality of Mackenzie has a population of approximately 3,700.