BC minister of jobs, trade and technology Bruce Ralston has invited City of Powell River mayor Dave Formosa and Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons to a high-level meeting about Catalyst Paper Corporation on Thursday, April 19 in Victoria.

Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada, which represents Catalyst workers, has been a major player pushing for the meeting, according to Formosa.

article continues below

The purpose of the conference is for MLAs, mayors and union representatives from communities most directly affected by serious challenges currently facing Catalyst to receive a status update and hear how provincial and federal governments are responding, according to an email sent by Ralston on Friday, April 13.

Mill-town communities facing uncertainty about their major employer include Powell River, Port Alberni and North Cowichan.

In the email sent to government representatives, Catalyst executives and union leaders, Ralston stated, “the recent determinations by the US Department of Commerce have imposed duties of over 28 per cent on Catalyst’s exports of uncoated groundwood paper. These trade actions are unwarranted and deeply troubling.”

The list of 17 people, plus accompanying executives and staff members who have been asked to attend, underlies the seriousness of Catalyst’s business sustainability. Not only has the company been hit by US anti-dumping duties, but a shortage of fibre has recently forced Catalyst to curtail production on paper machine 11 at the Powell River mill. That action is in effective from April 17 to May 7.

In addition to Simons, Ralston’s contingent includes BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver; minister of forests, lands, natural resource operations and rural development Doug Donaldson, and deputy ministers.

Catalyst’s delegation will be led by company president and chief executive officer Ned Dwyer.