(Vancouver, BC) – July 14, 2026 – Kim Haakstad, President & CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) issued the following statement in response to the announced closure of another pulp mill:
“COFI extends our deepest concern to the workers, families, and communities affected by today’s closure announcement. For too many people across this province, the consequences of inaction for the struggling forestry sector are happening in real time.
While this is a difficult day, it also underscores the urgency of working together on short-term action to stabilize the sector – ensuring mills stay open, people stay employed, and forestry continues to anchor rural, urban and First Nations communities across BC.
It also highlights the importance of continued collaboration between industry and government to address the structural challenges and help restore the conditions for a globally competitive forest sector.
Forestry supports nearly 100,000 good jobs, generates billions in economic activity, and underpins reconciliation and rural stability. Every day without long-term predictable and economic access to wood means more families, workers, and communities are put at risk.
We call on the provincial and federal governments to urgently implement the recommendations of the Forest Sector Transformation Task Force, with a specific focus on improving access to wood and utilization of sawmill residuals.”
SOURCE: COFI Media Release
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