The province is likely to make a decision on Canfor cutting rights early in the new year and those in Chase are hoping to see those granted to Interfor and the Adams Lake Lumber Mill.

CAO Joni Heinrich says it has provided a lot of feedback on this issue having spoken with Forestry Minister Doug Donaldson at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention. “Our council met with Minister Donaldson at UBCM in September after having spoken with some executives from the Adams Lake Lumber Mill and we mentioned to the Minister at the UBCM meeting that it is very important for our community and neighbouring communities in our area to be able to access that timber.”

“And as well, we get revenue from that mill. On an annual basis we get a small amount of taxation revenue from them so that helps our community be able to do the things we need to do.”

Heinrich says she’s feeling cautiously optimistic about the sale at this time, but says it likely won’t impact the immediate operations of the mill. “We’re hopeful. We don’t know the outcome obviously or what the answer is going to be, but we definitely feel that we have been heard. When we met with the Minister in September he was very open to our concerns and he listened and he understood the issues.”

Heinrich says it will impact about 50 direct jobs in Chase itself as well as jobs in the outlying communities.