Crofton Mill Closure Hits Community Hard, 350 Jobs Lost

URGENT UPDATE: The closure of the Crofton mill in British Columbia has been officially announced, resulting in the loss of 350 jobs starting in February. This shocking news has sent ripples through the local community of about 1,400 residents, located 70 kilometers north of Victoria.

Retired mill worker Brian Dice, who dedicated over 20 years to the mill, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Put my heart and soul into the place, and now it’s shut down — which is a sad day for me and everybody working there.” Despite rumors of the mill’s potential closure circulating for some time, the suddenness of this announcement has left many community members in disbelief.

The parent company, Domtar, cited a critical lack of access to wood fiber as the primary reason for the shutdown of pulp operations. Geoff Dawe, president of the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC), called the closure a “gut punch” to the Cowichan Valley, emphasizing that while operations seemed stable until recently, the long-standing fiber issue has now culminated in this devastating outcome.

Mayor Rob Douglas noted the significant financial implications of the mill’s closure, pointing out that the company contributed $500 million in property taxes annually. “We’re scrambling now just as a municipality to figure out how we’re going to continue to deliver our services,” he said.

Local businesses are already feeling the impact. Lindsey Mandel, co-founder of the Kalisi Cafe, reported a cancellation of a cake order just days before Christmas. “It’s right before Christmas and Crofton is already kind of a struggling community, so I’m worried,” she said, highlighting the precarious position of new businesses in the area.

In a related development, Dawe is scheduled to meet with Forests Minister Ravi Parmar to discuss potential support measures for displaced workers. “We would like to see some sort of compensation for the workers, either financial support or jobs retraining,” Dawe stated, although he acknowledged that options for retraining are limited for older workers.

This closure is part of a troubling trend in B.C., where several mills have recently shut down due to similar issues. Just last month, West Fraser Timber Co. announced the closure of its mill in 100 Mile House, citing insufficient access to economically viable timber.

As Crofton grapples with this monumental loss, the community must now navigate the repercussions of this closure and seek solutions to support those affected. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as residents and local leaders work to adapt to this sudden economic shift.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.