Reactions and support for Fraser Lake continue to come following the announced Fraser Lake sawmill closure on Monday.
According to a news release from West Fraser, this has put 175 employees out of work and cut their lumber capacity by about 160 million board feet. (put a link to Monday’s story as well)
“Some workers found out through text and social media. We weren’t given a heads-up about it as a province,” said Stikine MLA and Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen.
Soon after the announcement was made, he, Fraser Lake Mayor Sarrah Storey, and other local leaders met to discuss the path forward.
“We have to look at the long-term survival of this community and that means talking about the fiber supply or if other companies or the local community wants to get in and take over assets,” he said.
Houston Mayor Shane Brienen said the announcement and ones like it are difficult for small communities.
“The two communities are very similar. We lost a mill in 2014 and then our Canfor mill went down last year which is in a rebuild process that could take years,” he said.
“Whether you’re a forestry worker or anything in industry, people understand the kind of work we do in these communities and how big it is in our communities.”
Brienen noted the 2015 Endako Mine closure also impacted Fraser Lake where some of the workers lived, and added Houston has offered to help and support Fraser Lake in any way they can.
“We unfortunately have seen this over the last couple decades,” said Cullen.
“Communities losing a primary industry, reinventing themselves in different ways, looking at forestry in different ways, and we have several significant programs and funding sources to support those transitions.”
“We want to be a strong partner with the community and provide support where the province can,” said Cullen.
He added the province is taking a back seat in creating supports and letting the local community and First Nations direct the next steps.
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