Province pledges support for 117 workers affected by Big River sawmill curtailment

Jul 16, 2026 | 4:43 PM

The Saskatchewan government said it is committed to supporting the 117 workers affected by Carrier Forest Products’ decision to indefinitely curtail operations at its Big River sawmill starting this October.

Energy and Resources Minister Chris Beaudry said the province has deployed the Canada-Saskatchewan Rapid Response Team, which helps connect laid-off workers with employment services, training and income supports.

Beaudry said the curtailment is the direct result of “unjustified U.S. tariffs and duties, a weak pricing environment and a falling exchange rate.

In a statement emailed to paNOW, Beaudry said, “Our government continues to work closely with our partners in the forestry sector to ensure that Saskatchewan forestry mills have enough timber to support their operations. We have made significant changes to the timber royalty system to align it with other resource royalty structures in the province to help improve the industry’s competitiveness.”

Despite the indefinite shutdown, Carrier Forest Products emphasized it has not determined that the Big River facility will be permanently closed. The company said a lack of access to timber supply caused by wildfires in the mill’s operating area was among the reasons the mill is not viable to keep operating right now.

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The Official Opposition laid some of the blame on provincial government policies.

“These are families being thrown into financial anxiety because of the total mismanagement of Saskatchewan’s forestry industry by Scott Moe and the Sask Party,” said Sask NDP Shadow Minister of Forestry Jordan McPhail.

“From refusing to assist the forest sector when it comes to Donald Trump’s tariffs, to allowing disease, insects and wildfires to devastate forests and destroy investment, it’s clear that Scott Moe and the Sask Party don’t view our forests as assets worth managing.”

McPhail said the Sask NDP have made a number of calls to support the forest sector, including allowing dues-free salvage of the burned areas to aid in reforestation.

As employees and their families adjust to the news, the province said it will provide whatever additional support it can.

Beaudry added, “Our goal as a government is to create and maintain a strong and prosperous forestry sector. We will not deviate from that goal and will continue to look at all options to support it.”

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

Province pledges support for 117 workers affected by Big River sawmill curtailment

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