There were many reasons why Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Tolko mill closed its doors earlier this week.

Poor market conditions were tagged as the biggest factor, but for local MLA Steve Thomson the factors should have been caught earlier. From recognizing patterns throughout the forest industry in the province to the rising costs of the market, Thomson said the fault lies with the province香蕉视频直播檚 leadership.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a real shame that the current NDP government has been really missing in action in terms of response to this news,香蕉视频直播� said Thomson. 香蕉视频直播淭here are things they could have done and they haven香蕉视频直播檛 taken any steps to fixing this crisis.香蕉视频直播�

READ MORE: Kelowna Tolko mill shut down for 香蕉视频直播榠ndeterminate香蕉视频直播� amount of time

Thomson, the former forest minister up until 2017, pointed out the patterns in the industry throughout the province; mills in Quesnel and Maple Ridge were closed earlier in the summer, as well as job cuts to B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 logging contractors.

The Tolko closure will also trickle into other industries in the Okanagan and have an indirect impact on suppliers, contractors and others in the sector, Thomson said. Operating costs, stumpage fees and timber supplies have all contributed to the industry香蕉视频直播檚 fallout.

香蕉视频直播淚t another bit of bad news for this sector,香蕉视频直播� said Thomson.

香蕉视频直播淎nd it香蕉视频直播檚 devastating news for the employees and families. We香蕉视频直播檒l be advocating to make sure the appropriate supports are brought in for those who lost their jobs. The [B.C.] government has been late on those responses like EI [Employment Insurance] and it香蕉视频直播檚 impacting so many communities.香蕉视频直播�

READ MORE: Twice laid off due to sawmill closings, B.C. worker ready for a new career

READ MORE: Kelowna job market taking a hit due to speculation tax: CHBA

Tolko employees were on a six-week break and were expected to return to work on Sept. 16, but the mill closed its doors for 香蕉视频直播榓n indeterminate香蕉视频直播� amount of time on Sept. 12, laying-off close to 130 employees.

香蕉视频直播淭his decision was not easy for us to make,香蕉视频直播� said Tolko香蕉视频直播檚 Troy Connolly at the time.

香蕉视频直播淲e are very disappointed to be in a position where we have to curtail the mill, particularly given the reasons for this extension are beyond our control. However, with lumber market prices at sustained low levels and high log costs in B.C., the mill cannot be cost-competitive.香蕉视频直播�

As for any future fixes, Thomson said that as long as there is no significant response or action from the provincial government there won香蕉视频直播檛 be a quick turnaround in the industry and there will be permanent mill closures across B.C.

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