Western Forest Products Extends Chemainus Sawmill Shutdown Through 2026
Chemainus mill closure extended to end of year
On Saturday, Western Forest Products said it will extend the temporary shutdown of its Chemainus sawmill through all of 2026, citing “weak market demand, the impact of high tariffs, and ongoing log supply challenges,” the Times Colonist reported (1-24-26).
The Chemainus mill has been idled since July 2025, with about 120 employees affected. Western Forest Products did not comment on the likelihood of the sawmill reopening in 2027.
The company also said additional curtailments are planned at other Vancouver Island operations beginning in February. The Ladysmith and Saltair sawmills will each face two-week operating curtailments. Reasons include “a lack of available economic log supply, ongoing harvesting permitting delays, and the strike by the United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 at the La-kwa sa muqw Forestry Limited Partnership.”
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