Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. has received a C$100 million Large Enterprise Tariff Loan from Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corp. (CEEFC).
An economic driver in Western Canada, Millar Western operates in Alberta and British Columbia.
The market for its specialized pulp products has been significantly affected by recent tariff measures, trade disruptions, and declining commodity prices.
Millar Western produces high-quality hardwood and softwood pulp from three mills in Slave Lake and Whitecourt, Alberta, and Quesnel, British Columbia. The company employs more than 420 full-time workers and supports approximately 300 contractors in maintenance, field-level forestry and consulting services. As an export-oriented business, Millar Western ships most of its products internationally, with 93 per cent of its sales going to Asian markets, primarily China.
Canada’s forest sector is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy. For generations, Canada’s forests have supported hundreds of thousands of jobs in communities across Canada. Today, the sector directly employs nearly 200,000 Canadians and serves as a key economic driver for many rural, remote and Indigenous communities. The sector also creates significant positive spin-off effects in related industries and services.
As a global leader in its sector, Millar Western is strategically important to Canada's economy. That is precisely why the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan program and CEEFC were established: To help strategically important Canadian businesses navigate periods of significant global economic disruption.
“Our government continues to take action to support Canadian companies facing challenging global market conditions, including those in the forest sector. This support to Millar Western Forest Products will allow the company to navigate these challenging times for its industry, support its workers and help position the company for long-term success. This is about protecting jobs, supporting communities and protecting the competitiveness of a key Canadian industry,” said Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne.
