Conservative Shadow Minister Blames Trudeau for sawmill closures

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Conservative Party of Canada has released a statement from Bob Zimmer, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty, regarding the closure of two sawmills in northern British Columbia.

The two sawmill closures will impact 500 workers in total, substantially affecting the communities of Vanderhoof and Fort St. John. 

Zimmer expressed frustration at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the New Democratic Party, stating the closures were symptoms of the government failing Canadians. 

“When Canfor made this announcement, they made clear that these tariffs hurt the ability of their business to continue operating, saying “punitive” tariff increases were the final blow,” Zimmer said. 

According to Zimmer, British Columbians have been negatively affected by a lack of action since Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in office and called for the Conservative party’s return to power.

Since the announcement of the closure in Fort St. John, Mayor Lilia Hansen, both Peace River North MLA candidates, and the United Steelworkers Union have spoken out regarding the closure, emphasizing the negative impact the move will have on local industry.