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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. As many of you have already heard, Domtar has announced the permanent closure of the Crofton pulp and paper mill. The company said the mill will cease operations on December 15, although will continue to employ workers at the site until February 2026. This news is a deep and personal loss—one felt by 350 of our own PPWC members at Local 2 and Local 8, by their families, by the Cowichan Valley community, and by the entire forestry industry across British Columbia.
For decades, Crofton has been more than a workplace. It has been a source of pride, identity, and stability. Generations have walked through those gates, built their lives around the mill, and contributed to a long-standing tradition of skilled work and unwavering commitment.
To every member of the PPWC: please reach out to one another. This is a moment when people need solidarity, empathy, and connection. A kind word or a check-in — these gestures matter more than many realize. And to our sisters and brothers at Local 2 and Local 8: you are not alone. You have the full strength of this union behind you, and you always will.
The road ahead will be difficult. But we have faced heartbreak before and emerged stronger through unity and purpose. We will do so again.
In Solidarity,
Geoff Dawe
National President, Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC)
nationalpresident@ppwc.ca
