Millar Western to Curtail Quesnel River Pulp’s Operations

Millar Western Forest Products will temporarily curtail operations at Quesnel River Pulp from Sept. 4 to at least Nov. 1, due to unfavourable market conditions.

The production curtailment affects 90 workers at the facility in Quesnel River, B.C., some 120 km south of Prince George, where Canfor recently announced the permanent closure of its Northwood Pulp Mill,

“This is devastating news for Quesnel,” says Sheldon Clare, MLA for Prince George-North Cariboo. “These are 90 good-paying jobs in a community that depends on forestry. The community would see a huge drop in economic benefit and local government could see a significant drop in tax revenue. This curtailment will hurt people and businesses.”

Millar Western acquired the mill in 2024. This is not its first temporary curtailment, but Clare expresses concern that “temporary could become permanent if market conditions remain unfavourable.”

“We’re encouraged the mill is going to continue to look after their employees in terms of allowing them to use vacation time and allowing their benefits to continue,” said Quesnel’s mayor, Ron Paull, to CBC News.

Source: Pulp & Paper Canada