It’s still uncertain if Tolko’s Creekside division will open up again soon, but it appears there is a hopeful hue of optimism on the horizon that it will.
Creekside was curtailed indefinitely in 2008, placing many people out of work.
If it re-opens, between 150 and 200 people could see employment at the mill, though the actual number isn’t yet known.
The union and Tolko have reached an agreement on a “letter of understanding” that could see several positions eliminated in the company’s log yard to improve Tolko’s competitiveness with the goal of securing contracts with timber importers in Asia, necessitating start up.
Combining Tolko’s log yards would eliminate seven positions, which would create cost savings of up to $1.2 million.
If Creekside does re-open, it would be a sure sign that the forest industry is starting to pick up again, even if just for the time being.
We are not out of the woods yet, not by a long shot, as we expect that, due to a timber-supply shortage, in another year the annual allowable cut for the Williams Lake and the Cariboo Chilcotin will be reduced.
Hopefully, in that scenario, a solution will be found that will include many jobs as well as a healthy forest.
In the meantime and in light of World Forestry Day yesterday, it’s great to see there is a chance Creekside will be open at some point in the not-so-distant future, that unemployed mills workers will be back on the job and they will be able to support themselves and their families.