By Mayor Ute Juras

Village of Canal Flats

The announcement by Canfor to permanently shut down the Canal Flats mill has come as a big blow to our community. Especially so quickly after the last round of layoffs. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected.

Just like last time, a Worker Transition Team, which includes representatives from the provincial and federal government, Canfor, the United Steelworkers Union, the Village of Canal Flats, the Chamber of Commerce, the Columbia Basin Trust and the College of the Rockies, was immediately put in place. The transition office is again set up at the mill to provide information for the workers regarding their options, pensions, EI, training, etc.

I recently attended the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) annual conference. While I was there I met with Premier Christy Clark and Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skilled Training Shirley Bond as well as the CEO of Canfor. All agreed to put together a working group to explore options of other products or value added products for our mill. This group will include representatives from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skilled Training, the Ministry of Forests, Canfor, the village and other stakeholders who we are in the process of identifying.

I am encouraged and hopeful by this development. In the meantime please take advantage of the help that is available and take care of each other.

In the meantime, council is actively pursuing other economic opportunities by working on our community profile to attract business, investors and other industries.

I will keep you all posted via the Mayor’s Message, my Facebook page and at the regular council meetings.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions/concerns (Phone: 250-489-9070, E-mail: [email protected])

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