Domtar and B.C. working to reopen Howe Sound mill in Port Mellon

The idled pulp mill employs about 400 people directly; a restart is expected after scheduled maintenance, pending a union ratification vote.

By West Coast News staff · October 1, 2026

The Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill at Port Mellon.

Domtar and the Province of B.C. are working together to reopen the Howe Sound mill in Port Mellon in mid-October, Wood Business reported on Thursday.

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Domtar had previously announced that the mill and the Bayview Fibre chipping facility would be idled indefinitely due to market conditions, affecting about 400 employees directly as well as logging contractors, sawmills and suppliers.

"With the government's support in place, the scheduled maintenance will proceed as planned, followed by the restart of the mill," the company said. Unifor said an agreement in principle between the province and Domtar will help position the mill to reopen, pending ratification of a new collective agreement by Local 1119 members.

"This is terrific news for our members and the whole community on the Sunshine Coast," said Unifor national president Lana Payne. The Truck Loggers Association called the mill an important source of jobs in the coastal forest economy.

A Ministry of Forests spokesperson said no public communications are planned during the election period.