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By Caden Fanshaw

MACKENZIE

‘For me, it’s my life’: Mackenzie families struggle with pulp mill closure

Apr 26, 2021 | 4:31 PM

MACKENZIE – As Paper Excellence stops their Mackenzie operations, and over 150 jobs are lost, the number of families who are impacted stretches across the entire community.

Those who lost their jobs are now being faced with tough decisions on what to do next, and how to get to the next stage of their lives.

“For me, it’s my life,” said Bill Berlinksi. “My life isn’t over, but when I see the member’s faces, it’s heart-wrenching.”

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Berlinski worked at the Mackenzie Pulp and Paper Mill for over 25 years, now headed back to school to figure out a future, as his future retirement hopes are now dashed, at least for now.

Many are heartbroken because of the closure, Scott Campbell has gone through the same thing in Port Alice, BC but said this felt different.

Campbell said he is fortunate enough to have another small business to fall back on, but is worried about the future of the community, if forestry continues down the path it’s on.

While many in the community have already moved away, others weigh their options, second-class power engineer Rimi Shaqiri said this closure is not a short-term effect, instead. more of a long-term to his willingness to work in the industry.

The small-town mentality is still vibrant in the community of just over 3,500 who say they won’t go down without a fight.