A major employer in B.C.’s South Cariboo is shutting down its lumber mill for good, with local officials warning the impact will reach far beyond the 165 people directly losing their jobs.

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. says it will permanently close its mill in 100 Mile House by the end of the year, citing an inability to reliably access enough economically viable timber, combined with weak softwood lumber markets and mounting U.S. trade actions.

The company says it will try to soften the blow by offering work at other operations where possible but says roughly 165 employees at the site will be affected.

100 Mile House Mayor Maureen Pinkney says the number of people touched by the decision will be far higher.

Mayor Maureen Pinkney says past closures show the economic fallout will be sign

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