As President of the Public and Private Workers of Canada, I recently met with representatives of both the British Columbia and federal governments to discuss next steps following the shutdown of the Crofton pulp and paper mill. These discussions are critical. Hundreds of workers and an entire community are facing uncertainty, and we have a responsibility to ensure that the response puts working people first.
Just this week, I met personally with BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, where we discussed ongoing efforts to explore opportunities for the Crofton site, including the serious possibility of public ownership. The idea of the provincial government purchasing the site deserves careful consideration. Public ownership could provide the stability and long-term planning needed to guide future development, secure a sustainable fibre supply, and—most importantly—protect good, family-supporting jobs where possible. While no single option guarantees immediate reopening, these conversations are about keeping doors open rather than closing them permanently.
At the federal level, we have also engaged in ongoing negotiations to ensure workers are not left behind. The federal government has tools at its disposal, including funding mechanisms and Employment Insurance enhancements, that can make a real difference if applied properly. At a recent meeting with federal officials, including MP John Zurecelli, the PPWC emphasized that any relief funding must flow directly to workers and affected communities.
Our first priority is job protection. If there are opportunities to preserve employment through new ownership models, alternative production, or future industrial use of the Crofton site, PPWC will fight for those outcomes. Securing a reliable fibre supply is central to that discussion, particularly at a time when raw log exports continue while value-added jobs disappear.
However, not every job may be saved. Where continued employment is not possible, our focus turns to fairness, dignity, and meaningful support. For younger workers, we are advocating for realistic retraining and reskilling programs that lead to actual jobs—not false promises. Apprentices must be able to complete their training, and counselling services must be expanded to help workers cope with the personal and financial impact of job loss.
For older workers, they are too young to retire but too close to retirement to start over. PPWC is calling for targeted measures to bridge the gap between Employment Insurance and retirement, allowing long-serving employees to retire with dignity and security.
We are also pushing for enhanced EI benefits, including increasing replacement rates, extending benefit periods, waiving waiting periods, and ensuring that severance and vacation pay do not reduce EI eligibility. In a single-industry community like Crofton, relocation assistance and community transition supports are also essential.
The PPWC remains committed to working collaboratively with both provincial and federal governments to achieve the best possible outcomes for Crofton workers and their families.
In Solidarity,
Geoff Dawe
National President, Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC)
nationalpresident@ppwc.ca
