A major sawmill in British Columbia has shut down, eliminating 300 jobs and deepening the crisis in the province's forestry sector.
The closure has drawn sharp criticism from industry groups, labor unions, and local officials, who are demanding immediate financial support and policy adjustments to stabilize the region's economy.
The development underscores the persistent headwinds facing Canadian timber producers, who have struggled with weak export demand and structural inefficiencies.
While the specific company behind the closure was not named in initial reports, the loss of 300 positions marks one of the largest recent job cuts in the sector, adding to a growing list of operational challenges across the province.
In response, British Columbia's Forests Minister, Ravi Parmar, indicated that the government is preparing to announce reforms to the forest permitting system.
These changes are expected to roll out within weeks and aim to streamline access to timber resources, potentially easing some of the regulatory burdens that have hampered mill operations.