Today, Western Forest Products (WFP) announced an extension to the temporary closure of its Chemainus sawmill through the end of 2026, impacting approximately 150 employees. The mill has been down since June 2025 due to poor market conditions, high U.S. lumber tariffs, and log-supply challenges.
This announcement follows the permanent closure of the Crofton pulp mill and reflects broader challenges across British Columbia’s forest sector.
North Cowichan recognizes the significant impacts these closures have on workers, families, local businesses, and the wider community.
In response, the municipality recently established the Mill Closure Response Working Group, bringing together industry, labour, and federal and provincial partners, including Western Forest Products and an impacted worker from the Chemainus sawmill. The group will focus on supporting affected workers, mitigating risks to the municipal tax base and local economy resulting from forest-sector disruptions, and improving community preparedness and economic stability. The working group will begin meeting next week.
North Cowichan has worked with the Province to convene a Community Transition Table following the Crofton mill closure. This initiative is coordinating immediate supports for impacted workers, including access to employment services, career counselling, skills training, and job matching opportunities. The municipality is now working with the Province ensure these supports are extended to the Chemainus sawmill workers.
Since the December 2025 announcement regarding the Crofton pulp mill’s permanent closure, North Cowichan has been actively engaging with both the provincial and federal governments. Advocacy efforts focused on income and retraining supports for workers, financial tools to address municipal tax shortfalls, and structural solutions to strengthen the forest sector over the long term.
The municipality will continue working with unions, industry partners, senior governments, and community agencies to support workers today while advocating for a more stable forestry future.
A statement from Mayor Rob Douglas:
“Today’s news is devastating for our community, particularly when we are still reeling from the permanent closure of the Crofton pulp mill. I extend my full support to every worker and family impacted by this decision.
Many people were holding onto hope the Chemainus mill would restart sooner. This extended closure prolongs uncertainty and adds stress for hundreds of households connected to the Chemainus mill.
North Cowichan is pressing for immediate provincial and federal support for Chemainus sawmill workers. People need income security, retraining options, and clear pathways to new jobs. No one should be left behind.”