Susan Yurkovich

Recent mill closures have been “gut-wrenching” as the forestry industry faces tough market conditions, the chief executive of Canfor said. The Vancouver-based company announced it’s permanently closing its Fox Creek sawmill in Alberta because there is not enough fibre to sustain it long-term. US tariffs and weak markets have further eroded its viability, it said. …“Our goal is to ensure these operations can run fully and successfully, while generating jobs and supporting communities,” Yurkovich said. …Meanwhile, West Fraser Timber is continuing to assess the impact of the Trump administration’s latest tariff volley. The US plan to impose a 50% tariff onCanadian goods includes several varieties of plywood, paper and other wood-derived products. …West Fraser said its medium-density fibreboard is not directly subject to tariffs.” Year-to-date, 3% of its plywood and 20% of its laminated veneer lumber would have been affected by the latest tariffs, had they been in place during that time.