700 workers affected as Tolko announces more temporary closures in North Okanagan, Kamloops

Tolko Industries has announced more downtime for its Kamloops, Armstrong and Lumby operations affecting more than 700 workers.

Workers at Armstrong lumber, Armstrong plywood, and White Valley veneer operations will take downtime from Aug. 17 to Sept. 2, Tolko Industries said in a media release. The same release says Heffley Creek plywood and veneer operation will take downtime from Aug. 24 until Sept. 2.

"The high cost of logs and weak markets are impacting our operating footprint in British Columbia,” Solid Wood vice president Troy Connolly said in a media release. "Although we prefer to keep these locations in constant operation, we must manage the business responsibly and ensure we are sustainable for the future."

According to the release, Tolko employees were told about the temporary lay off earlier today, Aug. 15.

"This downtime will affect over 700 of our employees in these operations. We do not make these decisions without a lot of consideration," Connolly said. "We have great people working at these locations, and this is in no way a reflection on them or their commitment. However, we continue to experience challenging industry conditions in British Columbia."

Earlier this year Tolko closed both it's Armstrong and Kelowna operations temporality.

According to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, 19 mills under various ownerships have adjusted their operations through curtailments and shift reductions. Three locations have been closed, leaving mill workers of Vavenby, Quesnel and Clinton without a job.

The ministry says international trade pressures and the mountain pine beetle infestation have been the two driving factors behind the difficulties facing the forestry industry. They say the Dawson Creek, Prince George and Okanagan timber supply areas have been the most affected regions.

— This story was updated at 4:07 p.m., Thursday, August 15, to include information on the Heffley Creek downtime and to add a statement from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

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