Quesnel River Pulp curtails Operations, Putting 90 Jobs at Risk

Quesnel River Pulp has announced a temporary curtailment of its operations until at least November, affecting 90 workers and raising concerns about the future of the jobs if market conditions remain unfavourable.

The curtailment was announced amid continuing challenges in British Columbia's forestry sector. The supplied statement said the temporary shutdown could become permanent if market conditions do not improve.

Sheldon Clare, MLA for Prince George-North Cariboo, said the curtailment would have wider economic consequences for Quesnel, a community with significant ties to the forestry industry.

“These are 90 good-paying jobs in a community that depends on forestry,” Clare said. “The community would see a huge drop in economic benefit, and local government could see a significant drop in tax revenue.”

Ward Stamer, Shadow Minister for Forestry, and Kiel Giddens, Shadow Minister for Labour, attributed the industry's challenges to policies of British Columbia's NDP government and called for changes to improve the competitiveness of the province's forestry sector.

Quesnel River Pulp's curtailment follows other mill closures and disruptions affecting the forestry industry, according to the statement. The company has said operations will remain curtailed until at least November, with the longer-term outlook dependent on market conditions.