West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has announced it will permanently close its lumber mill in 100 Mile House, British Columbia, by the end of the year. The closure will directly impact 165 employees and is expected to have far-reaching effects on the local community. The company cited challenges in accessing economically viable timber, weak softwood lumber markets, and increasing U.S. trade actions as reasons for the shutdown. Local officials warn that the repercussions will extend beyond the immediate job losses. Mayor Maureen Pinkney of 100 Mile House expressed concern about the broader economic impact. "At least 500 indirect jobs and our entire community will be affected greatly," she said. The town, which has a population of just over 1,900, is still recovering from the closure of two other major mills in 2019. Pinkney noted that previous mill closures forced many young families to relocate. "We realize this will again be the situation," she said. She also highlighted the potential strain on the local tax base, which is essential for maintaining infrastructure such as water and sewer systems. The mayor described the news as "very sad" for a community that has long identified as a lumber town. "Large mills that were the whole hub of activity in our community are gone, that is very devastating," she added. In an effort to assist affected workers, the district has created a handbook titled "The Path Forward," which includes resources and testimonials from those impacted by previous mill closures. The closure comes amid new U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber, which include a global tariff of 10 percent on softwood lumber and additional duties on certain wood products. B.C. Forest Minister Ravi Parmar expressed his heartbreak over the decision and linked it to U.S. trade actions targeting Canadian forestry. Parmar stated, "This closure is another consequence of Donald Trump's unfair attack on Canada's forestry sector." He urged the federal government to fulfill its commitment to support the forestry sector in British Columbia. In response to the ongoing challenges in the forestry industry, B.C. and federal politicians recently agreed to form a working group to explore support options. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $1.2 billion initiative to assist the softwood lumber industry across Canada. B.C. Conservative MLA Lorne Doerkson called the mill closure "absolutely devastating," emphasizing the widespread impact on the community and the South Cariboo region. Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer criticized the provincial government for not addressing the underlying issues in the forestry sector. He pointed out that access to economic timber has significantly declined, from 60 million cubic meters in 2018 to 35 million cubic meters in 2023. As the community faces this latest setback, Mayor Pinkney remains hopeful for the future. She mentioned the potential for developing industrial land and plans to seek infrastructure funding from the province to support economic recovery in 100 Mile House.