Brink Forest Products Cuts 50 Jobs at Prince George Plant

Prince George Plant Cuts Workforce to 30 Employees

Operations at the Prince George facility will drop from 85 workers to approximately 30 starting next week, according to CEO John Brink. According to Brink, laying off 50 employees who have long tenure with the company is a devastating experience for them. The reduction leaves the plant operating at roughly 20 per cent capacity, according to CBC News reporting. This downsizing follows earlier closures at other Brink facilities, including Vanderhoof and Houston, which indefinitely ceased operations over the last year and eliminated more than 100 jobs. Across all three plants, the company previously employed roughly 400 people.

U.S. Softwood Tariffs and Supply Pressures Drive Downsizing

The forestry downturn stems from multiple compounding pressures, including a lack of fibre supply, restricted access to financing, and high duties imposed by the United States. Department of Commerce has consistently leveled high tariffs on Canadian softwood, with current levels nearing 50 per cent. Brink Forest Products has paid up to $100 million in duties and tariffs since 2017, currently facing roughly $1 million in monthly tariff-related costs. Furthermore, Brink noted that secondary manufacturers in northern B.C. rely heavily on primary sawmills for fibre inputs, describing the regional landscape as a graveyard of sawmills.

Upcoming Retaliatory Tariffs Threaten Secondary Input Costs

Cost pressures are expected to escalate as trade measures expand. According to CBC News, Canada is set to impose retaliatory tariffs of 15, 25, or 50 per cent on various U.S. products. Brink warned that these retaliatory steps could directly impact necessary production inputs. Parts, equipment, and imported materials such as glues required for finger-joint lumber manufacturing may become subject to additional duties, driving expenses higher for value-added wood producers.

Government Support and Loan Guarantee Applications Stalled

Brink stated that his business has not successfully secured federal or provincial financial assistance to navigate the downturn. According to CBC News, the company applied to a federal loan guarantee program administered through the Business Development Corporation of Canada more than a year ago but has not received funding. Brink stated that the company and its employees have not been able to convince authorities to provide assistance, adding that he has heard a lot of talk from both the federal and B.C. governments but very little action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many jobs are being cut at Brink Forest Products?

Brink Forest Products is cutting 50 jobs at its Prince George plant, reducing the workforce from 85 employees down to approximately 30, according to company CEO John Brink.

What are the primary reasons for the reduction in operations?

According to CEO John Brink and reporting from CBC News, the downsizing is driven by ongoing fibre supply shortages, restricted access to financing, and U.S. Department of Commerce tariffs on Canadian softwood nearing 50 per cent.

Have other Brink facilities been affected by the forestry sector downturn?

Yes. Over the last year, Brink’s facilities in Vanderhoof and Houston indefinitely ceased operations, resulting in the loss of more than 100 jobs prior to the latest Prince George cuts.

What financial assistance has the company received from the government?

According to John Brink, the company has not received financial support from federal or provincial governments. An application submitted more than a year ago for a federal loan guarantee program through the Business Development Corporation of Canada has not yielded funding.