Paper Excellence recently announced that its British Columbian Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill will close permanently, leaving between 130 and 180 people out of work.
“In light of the extreme drought conditions experienced since May, the decision to cease paper operations was advanced to help conserve water supply”, Steve Bird, General Manager of Howe Sound Pulp & Paper said in a press release. “The future of our mill lies with our strong pulp and green energy opportunities that will continue to grow.”
With newsprint prices declining, and shrinking demand likely to continue Paper Excellence did an “extensive review” to see if it was worth converting to other products. Paper Excellence concluded that it wasn’t worth it.
The closure of the paper production operations at the Howe Sound Mill shocked the labour union, Unifor Local 1119.
"The announcement was a shock to us all," said Unifor Local 1119 President Don Rheaume. "We're very disappointed and will work hard to help our members who are displaced by the closure."
However, the kraft pulp side of the mill will stay open. It employs around 335 people.
