By PPWC President Geoff Dawe
Across Canada, pulp mill and forestry workers are more than just employees — they are the backbone of their communities. For generations, they have shown up day after day, taking on hard work, often under challenging conditions, to support their families and contribute to our country’s economic strength. The closure of the Crofton pulp mill is a blow not just to jobs, but to the fabric of a community built on skill, solidarity, and deep pride in a job well done.
When the news came that the Crofton mill would be indefinitely closed, the concerns among PPWC Local 2 members were immediate and profound: What comes next? How will families pay their bills? What opportunities for retraining exist? What support can be accessed while workers transition? These are real questions with real consequences.
In times like this, workers need not just union support — they need elected representatives to show leadership, to be present, to advocate, to listen, and to act. For the workers of PPWC Local 2 Crofton, one Member of Parliament not only answered that call but consistently went above and beyond — even though Crofton isn’t even in his riding. That member is Gord Johns, federal NDP MP for Courtenay-Alberni.
Supporting Workers Without Borders
From the outset, Gord Johns showed genuine commitment to the Crofton workers’ cause. While it would have been easy for any federal MP to treat this as “someone else’s problem,” Gord stepped forward with a clear focus on what mattered most: fairness for workers, dignity for families, and pragmatic solutions to protect the future of a community in transition.
As he stated publicly in the House of Commons in December: “Every effort must be made to explore all opportunities for the mill but, above all, workers and their families must be supported and looked after. Vancouver Island communities cannot afford to lose good jobs, and the people who built this mill deserve a fair, secure future. I will keep pushing, publicly and behind the scenes, for a path forward.”
When the PPWC began advocating for worker transition funding, Gord became a powerful voice amplifying our message in Ottawa. He understood that transition isn’t just about compensation. It’s about ensuring workers are set up for success in the long term. That means meaningful, well-funded support that helps workers find new opportunities, rebuild their careers, and contribute to their communities in new ways.
Gord also advocated tirelessly for retraining programs tailored to the needs of Local 2 members. We’ve all heard stories of “retraining” programs that are generic and disconnected from what workers actually need. Gord listened to the PPWC and pushed for retraining that would genuinely equip them with skills for sustainable employment — whether in forestry, manufacturing, clean energy, or other emerging sectors.
On top of that, Gord was a consistent advocate for employment insurance (EI) extensions. Too many workers could be left in limbo — unable to find work, uncertain about when their benefits would run out, and anxious about how they would make ends meet. Gord raised these concerns repeatedly with federal decision-makers, emphasizing that EI Extension must reflect the reality facing workers when entire industries shift or close down.
Throughout this process, Gord’s message was clear: workers deserve respect, support, and proactive leadership — no matter where they live or who represents their riding. His commitment to solidarity across community and political lines is a testament to what public service should look like.
A Stark Contrast: Silence from Local MP and Conservative Party Leader
Leadership is measured not just by where you draw your riding boundaries, but by how you respond when people are counting on you. Regrettably, that measure was starkly absent from both the local representation and federal Conservative leadership during this critical period.
Despite repeated attempts by the PPWC to engage with Conservative MP’s Tamara Kronis (Nanaimo/ Ladysmith District) and Jeff Kibble (Cowichan/ Mill Bay), who represents the federal riding that actually includes Crofton, where we met with very little assistance. We reached out formally and informally, seeking to work together for the benefit of the workers in their communities, and no visible action taken at the Provincial or Federal level.
Equally frustrating was the absence of engagement from Pierre Poilievre, leader of the federal Conservative Party. Given his position as the national leader of a major political party, we hoped for a response that acknowledged the struggles of Crofton workers and offered a pathway to constructive involvement. However, attempts to reach out — to inform, to collaborate, to seek support — were met with no response. The leader of the opposition didn’t even take the time or opportunity to meet with the 350 PPWC Local 2 members that were losing their jobs, when Pierre Poilievre held a town hall in the Cowichan Valley on January 10, 2026.
This pattern of non-engagement stood in stark contrast to the leadership shown by Gord Johns. Where Gord saw an opportunity to support workers across riding lines, the silence from the federal Conservative leadership sent a troubling message: that political convenience sometimes outweighs the well-being of working families.
Gratitude for Those Who Are Standing With Us
Despite these challenges, there were bright spots — voices in Parliament that truly are making a difference for Local 2 members. Gord Johns was not alone in his advocacy. Several MPs from different parties took the time to engage with our union, listen to workers, and help push for concrete support.
To Gord Johns, I extend our deepest thanks. His leadership has not been defined by geographical boundaries, but by a commitment to fairness, solidarity, and respect for working people. His willingness to stand with Crofton workers throughout this fight helped ensure their voices are heard in Ottawa and their needs are taken seriously.
But there is still work to be done. I have asked both the Premier of British Columbia David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney to fulfill their promises in extending EI supports and providing crucial worker transition funding for Crofton pulp workers. And the PPWC will continue to hold them and other elected officials accountable for their actions in the coming weeks.
