West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. will permanently close its lumber mill in 100 Mile House, B.C., by year’s end, cutting 165 direct jobs and affecting an estimated 500 more indirectly. The company cited declining access to economically viable timber, weak global lumber markets, and ongoing U.S. trade tariffs as key factors. The closure is a major blow to the small community of about 1,900 people, which is still recovering from the loss of two other mills in 2019. Local officials warn the shutdown will erode the town’s tax base, threatening essential infrastructure and forcing more families to leave in search of work.

B.C. Forest Minister Ravi Parmar called the decision “heartbreaking,” linking it to U.S. trade actions on softwood lumber and urging Ottawa to deliver promised federal support. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced $1.2 billion for Canada’s forestry sector, with a federal–provincial working group now exploring long-term solutions. Critics, however, say provincial mismanagement of timber supply has worsened the industry’s decline.

The closure highlights broader challenges in Canada’s forestry-dependent regions, where reduced fibre access, market pressures, and trade disputes are reshaping the country’s once-dominant lumber industry.

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CBC News’ original article, “West Fraser to shut mill in 100 Mile House, B.C., amid market challenges” was published in CBC News on November 7, 2025. Read the Full CBC News story.

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