Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson says West Fraser’s decision to close its sawmill in 100 Mile House is a devastating blow to the South Cariboo and 100 Mile House specifically.
“I think there is obviously a lot of fear in that marketplace right now with respect to next steps and going forward. Obviously we’re going to have to let this dust settle a little bit but it is definitely a frightening situation for sure.”
With respect to the 165 direct jobs that will be lost, he says it goes well beyond that.
“Generally speaking there are industry standards for multiples, and if we’re talking forest industry. You know often times industry will use a 2 and 3 times rate with respect to other people that are affected by this. You know suppliers of the mill, suppliers of logging contractors and people that obviously do that work every single day down there. And then of course all the suppliers to them, which is typically the small business of 100 mile, so it’s very concerning, there is no question about that.”
Doerkson is calling for an immediate response from the senior levels of government.
“I think we need an immediate response to this and certainly supports, not just for the workers but also for the community and small business. And we have seen some of those programs in the past that may have encouraged potential early retirement and those kinds of things. So it seems to me that the government needs an emergency response to this in the South Cariboo to support again those three different levels. The obvious impact is the 165 people that have lost their jobs immediately, but then also we’re going to be advocating for supports for business and obviously for the community as well. I think that there needs to be some involvement from the Minister of Jobs here as well, and I think we’re going to see some cross ministry work here no question about that.”
Doerkson is also hopeful though that the industry might one day return to 100 Mile.
“I think there are certainly opportunities out there still. The Chief Forester, who is certainly in a position to make decisions about our allowable cut in this province, has said that we can cut safely and sustainably 60 million cubic meters a year. We’re accessing half of that right now in this province.”
Doerkson says permitting is an issue and has been for a number of years.
He says while he can appreciate the impact that tariffs are having on this business right now, he has been speaking about the challenges to get permits approved for the last 5 years in the legislature.
Doerkson says “there are things that we can be doing in this province, and we’re just simply not at this point.”
–Files by George Henderson, My Cariboo Now
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