There’s not a stick of lumber to be seen at the Chemainus Sawmill that has been closed since June. Western Forest Products says the mill will not re-open until the new year.
Operations at Western Forest Products’ Chemainus Sawmill have been curtailed until early next year.
The plant was shut down in June and workers were expecting to be back on the job on Oct. 1. However, the company says market conditions remain challenging, and the mill will remain closed throughout the fourth quarter of 2025.
“The temporary curtailment primarily reflects the continued lack of fundamental market demand, further impacted by the recent significant increase in softwood lumber duties,” said Babita Khunkhun, senior director of communications for Western Forest Products.
The shutdown affects about 150 workers.
Western Forest Products’ value-added division, located near the Trans-Canada Highway, remains open. That operation employs 61 people. The company’s Cowichan Bay sawmill has also been impacted by curtailments but is expected to re-open next month.
“This is disappointing news from Western Forest Products,” North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas said.
“This is devastating for more than 200 workers who are trying to support their families and keep up with the high cost of living.”
Douglas says he plans to meet with forestry minister Ravi Parmar at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention being held in Victoria next week.
“We will discuss the state of North Cowichan mills and what the Province can do to support us,” he said.
Western Forest Products says steps are being taken to minimize the harm the layoffs cause employees and their families.
“We recognize that curtailments have a direct impact on our employees, and our goal is to operate as consistently and sustainably as possible,” Khunkhun says.
“Where possible, we have worked with employees to facilitate employment opportunities at other locations. We are reassessing conditions regularly and will continue to provide timely updates to our team members as circumstances evolve.”
Western Forest Products endured a difficult second quarter in 2025. In the three months of April, May and June, the company reported a substantial decline in earnings, dropping to $500,000 from $9.4 million in the same period last year, primarily due to lower lumber shipments and increased softwood lumber duties.