Canfor Corporation announced Tuesday the permanent closure of its Northwood pulp mill in Prince George, British Columbia [1].

The shutdown removes a significant industrial employer from the region and highlights the ongoing volatility of the forestry sector in Western Canada. The loss of hundreds of positions creates immediate economic pressure for local workers and their families.

According to the company, the decision stems from a structural shift in global pulp markets [1]. Canfor said challenges regarding fibre supply were a primary driver for the closure [1]. These combined factors rendered the continued operation of the Northwood facility unsustainable.

The closure will affect roughly 300 people [1]. Other reports confirm that the move cuts approximately 300 jobs from the local workforce [3]. This reduction in employment follows a pattern of mill closures across the province as the industry grapples with changing demand and resource availability.

Prince George has long served as a hub for pulp and paper production. The removal of the Northwood mill represents a contraction of the industrial base in the interior of British Columbia. The company did not provide a specific timeline for the final cessation of operations in the announcement [1].

Workers and community leaders are now assessing the impact of the loss of these positions. The scale of the job cuts — totaling about 300 roles [2] — is expected to have a ripple effect on secondary businesses and service providers within the Prince George area.

“The closure will affect roughly 300 people”

The permanent closure of the Northwood mill reflects a broader systemic decline in the North American pulp industry. As global demand shifts and the cost of raw fibre increases, older facilities become economically unviable. This trend suggests a continuing consolidation of the forestry sector in British Columbia, where structural market changes are outpacing the ability of traditional mills to adapt.