Canfor is permanently closing its Northwood pulp mill in Prince George, putting about 300 people out of work.
This closure results in an annual reduction of about 300,000 tonnes of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) from Northwood.
The pulp and paper sector continues to face significant challenges, including a structural shift in global pulp markets, according to a statement issued by Canfor. Substantial additional pulp production capacity has come online globally, creating an oversupply in the market and downward pressure on global pulp prices. Combined with the persistent challenges accessing fibre, these factors have resulted in a prolonged period of unsustainable financial losses for Canfor Pulp. With no foreseeable improvement in the outlook, Canfor has made the difficult decision to close its Northwood facility.
“We recognize this is incredibly difficult news that will have a significant impact on our employees, their families, the businesses that support our operation, and the communities where we operate,” said Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO, Canfor, in a news release. “This decision is in no way a reflection of the dedication or hard work of our employees. The team at Northwood has worked tirelessly to improve performance, navigating challenging conditions to support their operation and we are grateful for their efforts. In the weeks ahead, we are committed to supporting our employees through this transition, including providing severance, and exploring opportunities to redeploy impacted employees to our other operating locations where possible.”
Northwood will be following an orderly wind down process and is expected to close in late 2026.