MLAs optimistic about future of region after Taylor mill sold for $7 million

TAYLOR, B.C. — Both Peace River MLAs applaud the plans for the former Canfor pulp mill in Taylor after its sale was finalized this week.

On March 19th, Calgary-based Buffalo Rail and Infrastructure (BRI) announced it had purchased the mill for $7 million from Canfor. BRI plans to invest over $50 million to convert the mill and its 300-plus acres of industrial land into a logistics and distribution hub for the region.

Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier, the Shadow Minister of Forests, believes the sale and plans for the site could lead to a better future for the District of Taylor and more opportunities for Peace region residents as a whole.

“When a company makes a purchase like this, we can be very optimistic. There could be a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Bernier. “With Canfor closing mills in places like Chetwynd (in 2023), it was devastating for jobs.”

“There’s the hope that this will mean jobs and something that will be re-opened within the community that can help Taylor.”

BRI said phase one of the project will see approximately 100 construction jobs and 30 full-time permanent jobs on the site and is expected to become operational around the second quarter of 2025.

Peace River North MLA  Dan Davies, who has been critical of the NDP government’s handling of the natural resource industry, expressed sentiments similar to Bernier’s.

“What’s great about this sale is that the project will be a hub for multiple industries. That’s a lot better than nothing,” said Davies.

“Companies like BRI would not come in and invest if they didn’t see some confidence within the region.”

Davies also hoped the sale would make the NDP “shake their head a bit” and start to support the resources sector.

“If the NDP keep going with attacks on the resource sector, which they’ve been doing since they were elected, increasing taxes and red tape that they’ve been laying down at every corner. It’s going to be hard for any business to move on,” Davies said.

In 2023, Canfor said it “didn’t see a forward path” regarding the facility and was exploring alternate uses for the site after being hit with several curtailments since December 2021.

Before the deal was finalized, Canfor announced in February 2024 that they had entered an agreement to sell the mill.