Carrier Forest Products Shuts Big River Sawmill, 117 Employees Affected

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Carrier Forest Products has announced that it will temporarily halt production at its sawmill in Big River, Saskatchewan. The decision, which will come into effect on October 16, is likely to result in layoffs of around 117 employees.

According to the company, the decision follows a combination of prolonged weak lumber market conditions and rising financial pressures. Carrier also noted that the weaker Canadian dollar has increased the cost of cross-border financing. In addition, severe wildfires last year reduced the supply of timber available to the Big River facility, creating further operational challenges.

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A small workforce will remain at the site until the end of January to oversee an orderly suspension of operations.

The production curtailment will remain in place until further notice, a company news release said. Furthermore, it highlighted that the move is not considered a permanent closure and said management will continue evaluating opportunities to restart production when market conditions improve.

Jeff Bromley of the United Steelworkers Wood Council described the development as a major setback for workers and the local community. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Opposition forestry critic Jordan McPhail expressed support for the affected workers and criticized the provincial government's handling of the forestry sector.