The doom and gloom surrounding B.C.'s forestry industry underscores just how fortunate Smithers is to have Pacific Inland Resources (PIR).
The doom and gloom surrounding B.C.'s forestry industry underscores just how fortunate Smithers is to have Pacific Inland Resources (PIR).
The company recently released its financial statistics from 2023 indicating an economic impact on the Smithers area in excess of $142 million.
While other mills are shuttering their doors, the 2023 numbers represent an increase of around $20,000 for PIR.
The financials include more than $22 million in local wages and benefits, 13.5 in goods and services purchased and over $1 million in property taxes paid.
The mill supports 215 direct employees and 240 indirect jobs.
The company also reported making $140,000 in community investments last year.
But while things remain good here for the time being, PIR general manager Dean MacDonald warns Smithers is not immune to the ups and downs of the industry.
“These are difficult days for B.C.’s forest sector," he said. "The impact of past natural disturbances such as insect infestation and wildfire, coupled with government policy decisions have resulted in less timber available for harvest, and less access to that which remains part of the Annual Allowable Cut."
MacDonald noted West Fraser, the company that owns PIR, "has had to make very difficult decisions in closing our Fraser Lake Mill, and reducing the number of shifts and people we employ in Quesnel, Williams Lake, and Chetwynd."
Going forward, he added, the province’s old growth policy will significantly impact timber supply in the region.
"We have an excellent mill in Smithers and are a proud member of the community," he concluded. "We continue to work with government and local First Nations to secure the future of our mill."
