Fort St. James among many communities dealing with challenges in forestry

PRINCE GEORGE — Fort St. James sits on the south eastern shore of Stuart Lake and is an area that is rich in history. A fur trading post was built there in 1806, and it is one of British Columbia’s oldest permanent European settlements and was the administrative centre of the Hudson Bay Company’s New Caledonia fur district. Martin Elphee was elected Mayor of the District of Fort St. James, along with three newcomers to Council.

” We always had three mills. We’re down to two and the one is only on one shift. So like before we had six shifts. Forestry is still the the big push in town. But yes, it’s time to change.” – Mayor Martin Elphee, District of Fort St. James

Forestry has been the main industry in the Fort St. James for many years , but they have not been immune to changes in the industry especially in recent years. In 2019, the community received devastating news that Conifex was selling the sawmill in Fort St. James to Hampton Lumber, the old one was demolished and a new mil was opened in 2022, with the first load of lumber being shipped back in April.