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Discarded mill workers in Vanderhoof forced to play waiting game on potential supports

Vanderhoof Mayor Kevin Moutray is frustrated he will likely have to wait another month to meet with ministers and government officials on how to move forward from the Canfor mill closure.

Last month, the company announced it is shutting down operations in the Nechako Valley as well as Fort St. John putting 500 employees out of work – over half of which, are located in Vanderhoof.

Moutray told Vista Radio the timing of the mill closure was less than ideal.

District of Vanderhoof meeting with Municipal Affairs at UBCM. Photo supplied by District of Vanderhoof.

“With it happening 10 days before the writ dropped it really only gave us those ten days to work with a functioning government. As you know, after the writ drops, we enter an interregnum period so there are no ministers and senior bureaucrats can’t move any new initiatives forward.”

“It is something where we would like to be given more answers but we don’t have that opportunity to work with the government – that is the frustration there. It leaves us in the lurch during this immediate time.”

Moutray and other district members are planning a trip to Victoria once the government is formed to discuss what kind of supports will be available for the displaced workers.

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Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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