North Cowichan’s mayor is urging B.C.’s forest minister to take action to ensure the survival of the Crofton pulp and paper mill, which has seen ongoing closures. Rob Douglas wrote to Bruce Ralston asking for “enhanced provincial support”. The paper side of the Crofton mill is currently idle and not expected to start up again until at least the end of February. …Residents directly and indirectly rely on the Paper Excellence operation for jobs, said Douglas… and local businesses also provide supplies to the mill. …About 60 members on the paper side are currently relying on employment insurance to get by, said Tanner McQuarrie, of Unifor Local 1132. Six of the union’s junior members have left to take jobs at the company’s Port Alberni operation, he said. …Paper Excellence thanked Douglas for his support, but lacked any signal about the mill’s long-term future.