What’s Happening at West Fraser?

West Fraser Timber has confirmed it will permanently close its 100 Mile House lumber mill in British Columbia by the end of 2025.

• The closure will affect approximately 165 employees
• It reduces the company’s lumber production by 160 million board feet.
• The decision stems from shrinking timber supply, weak lumber demand, and mounting US tariffs that have made the operation unsustainable

In the same announcement, the forestry company also revealed it will shutter its Augusta, Georgia mill, confirming a broader restructuring effort affecting operations across North America.

“Challenging softwood lumber demand, higher duties and additional tariffs have compounded this situation,” West Fraser said in its official statement.

Impact on 100 Mile House and Its Workers

Local leaders call the decision “devastating.”

Mayor Maureen Pinkney says the closure will hit the small community of roughly 1,900 people especially hard — with as many as 500 indirect jobs also affected across local businesses.

“Large mills that were the hub of activity in our community are gone — that is very devastating,” she told CBC News.

West Fraser says it will attempt to relocate affected staff to other operations “where available.”

BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar said he was “heartbroken” by the announcement and urged Ottawa to provide financial support for forestry workers. Opposition MLAs, meanwhile, blamed provincial logging policies for restricting fibre access and...

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