Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

SAWMILL CLOSURE

Vavenby residents demand greater legacy from Canfor one year after mill closure

Aug 27, 2020 | 4:16 PM

VAVENBY, BC — In the summer of 2019, Canfor closed its Vavenby Sawmill, citing log supply constraints, the high cost of fibre and ongoing depressed lumber markets. As part of the closure, Canfor gave the District of Clearwater a $200,000 legacy, while providing the TNRD $25,000 for priority infrastructure initiatives. A year later, the community of Vavenby isn’t satisfied with that figure and are asking the company for more.

A logging truck loaded with logs rolls out of Vavenby. For many residents, it’s a frustrating sight. Last summer, Canfor closed down the town’s sawmill which had operated in the community for nearly seven decades.

“They’re right at the end of our road,” long-time Vavenby resident and TNRD Director Carol Schaffer says. “We’ve put up with that — we’ve had them there since 1952.”

Canfor operated the mill for 15 of those years. After it shut down, the company offered Clearwater a $200,000 legacy fund. Vavenby was offered $25,000 through the TNRD. Schaffer feels her community deserves more.

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“They’ve been a corporate citizen and neighbour since 2004, but it’s been very minimal what they’ve given to the community,” Schaffer says. “That’s why we’re asking for the $200,000 as the legacy.”

There are around 700 residents of Vavenby, which is served by the Vavenby Volunteer Fire Department (VFD). Half of the $200,000 sum the community is seeking would be used to update the fire hall.

“The Fire Department, we’re making improvements all the time. Not only the building, but for equipment and training,” Charlotte Cederholm, one of the original members of the VFD says. “It would be a boost to everything.”

The other half is earmarked for a water treatment plant for the community, which could cost as much as $5 million.

“Canfor never supported the utilities that they used. That water system is in desperate need [of replacement],” Charlene Tobin says. Tobin has lived in Vavenby for 49 years and used to be a cleaner at the mill. “The only thing I can say is that now that Canfor is not running, we don’t run out of water anymore.”

Canfor’s Vice-President of Operations for North America Stephen Mackie wasn’t available for an interview, but the company did send a written statement:

“Canfor deeply regrets the significant impact the closure of the Vavenby sawmill has had on our employees and contractors, along with the local communities. We were fortunate to operate in the region and took pride in giving back to the community every year. Our employees have been active members of the community as volunteers and financial donors supporting many of the local nonprofit organizations. Canfor is providing $375,000 in legacy funding to the region, through the United Way, the Thompson Nicola Regional District and the District of Clearwater. The funds are being used to support people in need, community programming and infrastructure projects. We appreciate the support we received from the local communities and are pleased we were able to expedite the sale of the Vavenby assets to a new owner who is committed to repurposing the site to generate economic activity which will benefit the local communities.”

– Stephen Mackie, Canfor Executive Vice President, North American Operations

Residents are frustrated by that response. Canfor sold the forest tenure associated with the Vavenby sawmill for $60 million. The community feels like, after 67 years of business, it deserves better.

“We’re very thankful for the wealth the mill, Canfor, has brought to the community over the years,” Pastor Ian Moilliet of the Vavenby Christian Church says. “but very disappointed with what’s happened now.”

“They were the major source of employment, and when they left, that major source went with them,” Cederholm says.

“It was unbelievable,” Tobin says. “$25,000 for 67 years that mill was in Vavenby.”

“They sold their tenure for $60 million and we’re asking for $200,000 of it, which is 1/3rd of one percent of the $60 million which is a drop in the bucket,” Schaffer says. “I think we deserve it.”