Vanderhoof's Chamber of Commerce organized a meeting earlier in November, to address the challenges and opportunities facing the community following Canfor's announcement on September 4 that it would close its mills in Vanderhoof and Fort St. John.
The closures are expected to result in the loss of 500 direct jobs and a reduction of 670 million board feet of annual production capacity by the end of the year in these communities.
Shelley Funk, manager of the Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce, said the meeting was attended by a large turnout of local business owner and highlighted several concerns, including the potential for people to leave the community in search of work, a depressed housing market, and the lack of major workforce opportunities.
"We’re expecting a 15 per cent hit to our businesses," Funk said.
However, the discussion also explored potential opportunities, including the chance to demonstrate that Vanderhoof can unite to reverse the outflow of cash to Prince George and encourage more local shopping.
"We need to look at larger markets outside of Vanderhoof that we can service," Funk said.
In addition to business concerns, Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad, Mayor Kevin Moutray, and members of Vanderhoof's council answered questions regarding government policies. They helped clarify issues such as fibre tenure, logging permits, and why certain manufacturing companies have not relocated to the north despite existing incentives, Funk said.
"The elected representatives helped to clarify why some things are done the way they are," Funk said, noting that government policies can make it harder to start businesses in British Columbia and Canada compared to the United States.
Funk said the meeting was "respectful and informative".
"No decisions were made, but we will be looking at holding another meeting in the new year to see what we can do to help businesses and work together," she said.
Regarding the mill closures, Moutray said it is still too early to fully understand the long-term impact on the economy, as conditions remain in flux.
"Contractors are feeling a direct effect, while retail stores have not yet experienced significant slowdowns, although they are concerned about a potential downturn," Moutray added.
Moutray said the district is also fortunate to have the money in place for an economic development plan revamp, plans for which were made even before Canfor's announcement.
"So we will be moving forward on that and doing real community wide exercise to look at what potential economic development and diversification is out there and and work on it that way," he added.
Moutray said they will continue to stay engaged with local businesses through both formal and informal channels to understand their challenges, assess their potential, and help guide them forward.
Meanwhile, Rustad, also leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., addressed broader issues impacting the business community, including high operating costs, restrictive government policies, and a shortage of available logging permits—factors he identified as driving companies out of the province.
"If someone wishes to build a sawmill in the area, they will encounter the same challenges," he said.
"These issues need to be addressed; it’s not just about who holds the tenure—this is a crucial factor, but broader solutions are essential for business operations in British Columbia."
Rustad also said resolving economic challenges will take time and will likely involve some hardship as the community adapts. He also said it is vital to explore ways to keep resources local and engage the community.
"Whether in the mining, forestry, or agricultural sectors, there must be a vision for the community’s future that everyone can work towards. Without this vision, people may succumb to fear and rumours, which is why it’s crucial to foster an open dialogue about possibilities, actions we can take, and how the community can actively shape its future," Rustad said.
