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By Caden Fanshaw

Forestry

Canfor’s PG Pulp and Paper Mill set to shutter permanently

Mar 31, 2023 | 5:18 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Closing time has come for one of Prince George’s biggest landmarks.

After more than 55 years in operation, Canfor’s PG Pulp and Paper Mill will permanently close its pulp line due to a lack in raw materials according to the company.

“The turmoil within a family that a closure like this impacts is the big thing,” said Chuck Leblanc, President of The Public and Private Workers of Canada – Len Shankel Local 9 (PPWC).

When asked what he would be thinking about knowing the last bale of paper was expected to be produced at PG Pulp this weekend, Leblanc said he couldn’t help but feel for the members affected, adding the closure was not necessary.

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“Just really just thinking about our membership, you know…there’s a lot of individuals out there with a lot of individual stories that are losing out because of this,” said Leblanc.

The permanent closure will result in the loss of over 100 jobs after over 50 current employees took early retirement buy-outs and open positions were filled at other Canfor sites including the Intercon and Northwood Pulp Mills.

The Public and Private Workers of Canada – Len Shankel Local 9 said there are roughly 30 workers who also found work with other companies and industries prior to being let go by Canfor.

The Prince George Pulp & Paper mill began operations in 1966 as a joint venture of Canfor and Reed Paper of the UK. Two years later, in 1968, its sister mill, Intercontinental Pulp, was built by Canfor, Reed, and Feldmuhle of Germany.

A decade passed and in 1978 Canfor bought out Reed’s stake in both operations. In 1985 it also purchased the Feldmuhle share, creating the Prince George Pulp and Paper Mills a year later. In November 1999, following the purchase of the Northwood Operations, the Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill (PGPPM) became the sole mill of the Specialty Pulp & Paper Division.

Northwood and Intercontinental comprise the mills within the Premium Pulp Division. Today they are operated under common management and share many nature resources common to the area.

Pattison Media is owned by Jim Pattison Industries, a majority shareholder in Canfor.