The first round of layoffs began this week at the Big River, Sask. sawmill, prompting renewed calls from workers for additional government support to protect the province’s forestry sector.
Brandon Nicholson, a representative of the United Steelworkers, spoke to reporters in Prince Albert on Friday about the impact on the community. He said members of the community who do not even work at the mill have reached out to him with concerns about the future, including whether mortgages will be paid, and whether local schools, home care and grocery stores will remain viable.
Sawmill operator Carrier Forest Products announced earlier this year that it would curtail operations at the Big River sawmill, affecting 117 jobs. The company attributed the decision to tariffs, market conditions and forest loss from wildfires last year. Carrier Forest Products did not respond to a request for comment from CTV News, but has previously said it is unsure whether the sawmill will remain permanently closed.
Union Pushes for Local Solutions
Nicholson said increased access to trees further north and greater domestic demand for forestry products could help prevent further job losses in the sector. He pointed to existing local operations that build prefabricated homes, saying the province’s own forestry goods could be used to support affordable housing construction in Saskatchewan.
Government Response
The province said business and worker support teams have visited Big River five times since the layoff announcement was made. It is also offering assistance to tariff-affected workers through the Canada-Saskatchewan Workforce Tariff Response program, which is backed by $15.6 million in funding over three years.
According to a provincial statement, more than $791,000 had been invested in the forestry sector as of Sept. 30 to support approximately 133 workers across eight different employers in five communities, including Carrier Forest Products in Big River prior to the layoff announcement.
Some workers at the Big River mill are expected to remain on site until January.
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