Tolko Plans Downtime at Two Divisions in North Okanagan, BC

Citing a lack of economical fiber, Tolko said it is planning downtime at a pair of North Okanagan, BC, operations, the Haida Gwaii Observer reported (5-8-25).

Facilities in Armstrong and White Valley will take approximately one week of downtime beginning as early as May 12 at Armstrong Lumber and May 15 at White Valley.

The company said while challenges to the forestry sector continue, it remains confident in the future and reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the company footprint over the long term.

In an email to the Haida Gwaii Observer, Tolko said:

“BC regulatory and policy burden continues to impact the availability and accessibility of economic fiber. We’re actively managing our log inventory, and the logs we have available are being deliberately directed to mills to make products where we can deliver the most value—accelerating our production of specialty, value-added (plywood, veneer, and lamstock), and engineered wood products.

We recognize the impact this has on our employees and their families, and we will continue to provide as much notice as possible to help them manage through this uncertainty.”