Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
BIG RIVER — Carrier Forest Products Ltd. announced Thursday it will indefinitely curtail production at its Big River sawmill beginning Oct. 16, citing weak lumber markets, reduced timber supply and rising financing costs.
The Carrier Forest Products July 16 statement said approximately 117 employees will be affected by the decision. Limited operations will continue until the end of January 2027 to allow for an orderly shutdown of the facility.
The statement said management described the decision as “unfortunate and difficult,” saying the forestry industry continues to face significant economic and operational challenges.
Among the factors cited were persistent weak lumber market conditions, the declining Canadian dollar, which has increased the cost of cross-border financing, and reduced timber availability stemming from the long-term impacts of last year’s wildfires.
“As each new and significant challenge emerged, management was cautiously optimistic that the headwinds facing both the industry generally and those specific to the Big River facility would improve,” the company said. “However, that has not occurred, and certain recent events do not indicate that improvement will be seen in the short term.”
Carrier said the curtailment “cannot be avoided under current conditions.”
The company expressed regret for the impact on employees, their families, the community, suppliers and customers, while emphasizing the decision does not represent a permanent closure.
“Management has not determined that the facility will be permanently closed and remains committed to reviewing all options to resume operations in the future,” the statement said.
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck said the announcement is devastating for workers and their families.
“My heart goes out to the 117 workers at the Big River sawmill and their families impacted by today’s devastating curtailment announcement,” Beck wrote on social media.
She said many workers built their lives around the mill and criticized the Saskatchewan Party government’s handling of the forestry sector.
“For years, Scott Moe promised a forestry boom for Northern Saskatchewan. Instead, we’ve seen broken promises, shrinking forestry activity and community after community forced to absorb the consequences of government inaction,” Beck said.
Beck added that the NDP will continue advocating for forestry jobs, northern communities and investment in Saskatchewan’s forestry industry.
Shadow Forestry Minister Jordan McPhail also criticized the provincial government, saying the curtailment reflects years of mismanagement of Saskatchewan’s forestry sector.
He argued the province has failed to adequately respond to challenges facing the industry, including U.S. tariffs, wildfires, forest health issues and reforestation efforts.
SaskToday contacted Carrier Forest Products seeking additional comment following the announcement. The company did not provide a response at the time the article was published
Carrier Forest Products traces its roots to 1951, when co-founder William Kordyban Sr. began operating small bush mills specializing in salvage logging and remote forestry operations. The company became known for developing portable modular sawmills capable of operating in remote locations and processing timber damaged by wildfire and insects.
According to information previously published on the company’s website, Carrier’s modular mills are designed for rapid deployment and use advanced computerized processing systems capable of producing more than 175,000 board feet of lumber per shift.
The company also operates the Tabor Mill complex in Prince George, B.C., originally constructed in 1976 and expanded over the decades.
