Howe Sound pulp mill on Sunshine Coast restarts after six-week closure

The Howe Sound pulp mill in Port Mellon is restarting mid-October after Domtar announced the closure indefinitely in August. The decision to restart follows six weeks of provincial negotiation and union talks, bringing back roughly 400 jobs that were cut when the company cited deteriorating markets and a decline in affordable domestic fibre.

Domtar spokesperson Guillaume Julien said the restart hinges on "collaboration" between the company and government. "While the forest industry continues to face significant economic and competitive challenges, Domtar believes this collaboration represents an important first step toward supporting a strong and sustainable future for the sector and the communities that depend on it," Julien said in a statement.

Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar appointed high-profile negotiators on September 4 to work with Domtar. Julien did not disclose the terms of the deal, though he told Postmedia in September that a better agreement with B.C. Hydro would help the company. Workers belonging to Unifor Local 1119 must ratify a new collective agreement next week for the restart to proceed.

Unifor National president Lana Payne called the agreement "terrific news for our members and the whole community on the Sunshine Coast. It is also proof that the close collaboration between workers, industry and government can get results." Town of Gibsons Mayor Silas White told the Coast Reporter the mill will restart in mid-October, with full ramp-up and energy production scheduled for November 1.

The mill supports not only the 400 direct jobs but also sawmills, contractors, suppliers and local businesses that depend on it as a major economic anchor for the region.