Millar Western Indefinitely Curtails Quesnel River Pulp Mill

Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. will indefinitely curtail operations at its Quesnel River Pulp mill in British Columbia, citing poor market conditions, tariffs on Chinese exports, and uncertainty regarding the economic fibre supply. CEO Karl Meyers announced the decision in a letter to employees on November 9, 2026, noting that while pulp production had been curtailed since mid-August, the shutdown is now indefinite. The company will terminate impacted employees, providing severance and benefits, while maintaining the mill's effluent system for 12 months to meet contractual obligations.

Quesnel Mayor Coralee Oakes stated the closure will significantly impact the city, as heavy industry represents 53 percent of the local tax base. The city also faces the loss of a $150,000 revenue grant from BC Hydro. Oakes is advocating for federal supports similar to those provided to the auto, steel, and aluminum sectors in eastern Canada to assist affected families.

British Columbia premier-designate Lorne Doerkson pledged that the incoming Conservative government will work with the city and the company to reopen the facility. This follows a July $100 million loan from the federal government intended to protect jobs and strengthen operations. The mill, owned by Atlas Holdings, has an annual capacity of 375,000 air-dried metric tonnes of softwood pulp and will undergo an orderly shutdown over several weeks to allow for a potential future restart.