Listen Live
Listen Live
20 C
Prince George

Saik’uz First Nation caught in crosshairs of forestry downturn in the north

“It’s a hard time for our community,”

That’s from Saik’uz First Nation Chief Priscilla Mueller after Sinclar Forest Products announced a permanent production curtailment at its Nechako Lumber facility in Vanderhoof.

It will go from two shifts to one as of October 30th. Roughly 60 jobs are expected to be impacted.

Mueller told MyPGNow.com this latest move compounds what has already been an unforgiving year in the forestry sector.

“We do have an agreement with Sinclar. We do have a good working relationship with them and we have around 22 members that are working at the mill right now – I am not too sure how that will impact our workers but I am sure will impact both communities (Saik’uz and Vanderhoof).”

Mueller cites decades of unsustainable logging is coming back to bite us, especially as pertains to the Mountain Pine Beetle outbreak, which lasted nearly two decades and took a large bite out of the sector.

“We wanted to get rid of the bogwood. It started out at seven million cubic meters to twelve and a half cubic meters and they increased its because of the bogwood – that lasted only four or five years and they never did bring those numbers back down again and started logging greenwood.”

“Sooner or later it is going to catch up to us and we are here right now. We are seeing the results of unsustainable logging over many, many years, and our First Nations are working with the government to try and see how can we log in a sustainable way.”

According to the provincial government, the worst year of observed red-attack, at a provincial scale, was 2005 with approximately 140 million cubic meters attacked by the Mountain Pine Beetle.

In addition, 54% of B.C.’s merchantable pine volume has likely been killed – this includes one million cubic meters observed as a red-attack in the summer of 2015.

2023 has not been kind to the forestry sector in the north.

In January, Canfor closed its pulp line at the PG Pulp and Paper Mill as well permanently shutting down its location Chetwynd.

During this time, the company also announced a lengthy shutdown at its Houston mill as it weighs its options on a redevelopment project for the area.

Just north of 500 employees were impacted by the Chetwynd and Houston announcements.

Last week, Canfor issued an update on its Houston re-development stating the planning process for a large-scale renovation and upgrade has been completed but requires a little more time to seek assurances in relation to the availability of economic fibre required to support the investment and successful operation of the facility.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing pgnews@vistaradio.ca.

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

$250,000 damage following fire on Pacific Street

Prince George Fire Rescue crews responded to a commercial structure fire in the 1000 block of Pacific Street yesterday morning (Sunday) at approximately 5:40.

Williams Lake RCMP investigating fatal crash

Just after 5pm on Saturday (July 12th), North District Corporal Madonna Saunderson said the Williams Lake RCMP received a report of the incident on Highway 97 at Mountain House Road. Saunderson added a Chev pickup and a Toyota Camry had collided and initial investigation indicates that the Toyota pulled out onto the highway in front of the pickup.

Spruce Kings add Muchalla as skills coach

Muchalla, a former Spruce Kings captain played 161 games for his hometown club tallying 64 goals and adding 117 assists over three seasons from 2007 to 2010.

Highway 16 crash between PG and Vanderhoof becomes fatal; two others injured

Highway 16 was closed for roughly four hours before re-opening to traffic. The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released when it comes available.

Hartley’s Sports Shorts; Monday, July 14th

Special Olympics BC Summer Games: The 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George is officially over.
- Advertisement -