Western Forest Products is temporarily cutting output at B.C. sawmills due to weak demand, tariffs, and supply issues, affecting about 6% of annual capacity.

Western Forest Products Inc. will release its third quarter 2025 financial results on November 5, 2025, followed by an analyst call on November 6. The company announced temporary curtailments at its British Columbia sawmills for the fourth quarter, building on earlier reductions in the third quarter, resulting in a combined output decrease of about 50 million board feet—roughly 6% of annual capacity. The move, driven by weak market conditions, rising U.S. softwood lumber tariffs, limited log supply, permit delays, and a strike at a partner operation, includes reduced hours, extended holidays, and revised shifts, with the Chemainus mill fully curtailed. The company emphasized the adjustments are temporary and aimed at aligning production with demand and maintaining financial stability. Western Forest Products, a major employer on Vancouver Island with 3,300 jobs across 20 B.C. communities, operates six sawmills with 780 million board feet of annual capacity and supplies specialty products globally.