Canfor to Permanently Close Northwood Pulp Mill in British Columbia

The forestry company Canfor announced Tuesday the permanent closure of its Northwood pulp mill outside Prince George, British Columbia. The facility is expected to conclude an orderly wind-down process by the end of 2026, resulting in the loss of approximately 300 jobs and a reduction of annual Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp production by about 300,000 tonnes.

Company leadership cited unsustainable financial losses driven by a global oversupply of pulp and paper, declining prices, and persistent difficulties in accessing wood fibre. B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar attributed the broader sector's distress to weak lumber prices and tariffs and duties imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Canfor has committed to providing severance and exploring redeployment options for affected workers. In response to the news, the Saik'uz First Nation and the District of Vanderhoof called for a shift away from multinational corporate control to ensure wood fibre remains within local communities for sustainable, locally owned industry. Local leaders, including the Mayor of Prince George, have committed resources to assist affected families while industry representatives urged the government to stabilize the forestry sector.