PPWC Local 2

03/06/2026

Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) Welcomes Federal–Provincial Investment to Support BC Workers Impacted by Layoffs

03/03/2026

Local 2 will be hosting its last Retiree Coffee at the union hall on Wednesday, March 4 at 10:00 AM (upstairs at the union office).

02/27/2026

https://ppwc.ca/forestry-townhall-with-mp-jeff/

On Thursday, March 5, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at Duncan Meadows Golf Course in North Cowichan, forestry workers, union members, industry stakeholders, government representatives, and affected community members will come together for a Forestry Workers Townhall Event to speak about the crisis facing workers and towns hit by mill closures.

Read more and register for the event by going to the PPWC website at the link above. Here's the chance to have your voice heard. Please Like and Share widely online.

PPWC Local 1 PPWC Local 2 PPWC Local 5 PPWC Local 8 PPWC Len Shankel Local 9 PPWC Local 15 PPWC Local 26 Confederation of Canadian Unions Geoff Dawe Chuck LeBlanc

02/04/2026

https://ppwc.ca/ndp-mp-gord-johns-demands-government-support-for-crofton-pulp-workers-and-the-forest-sector/

From Public and Private Workers of Canada - PPWC President Geoff Dawe: "On February 3, 2026, NDP Member of Parliament Gord Johns for Courtenay-Alberni addressed the House of Commons, demanding the federal government take action and provide vital supports for Crofton pulp workers and members of PPWC Local 2.

From the outset, Johns showed genuine commitment to the Crofton workers’ cause. He stepped forward with a clear focus on what mattered most: fairness for workers, dignity for families, and pragmatic solutions to protect the future of a community in transition. This will have repercussions for the forest industry in British Columbia and the rest of Canada for years to come."

Watch the video read his comments on the National website at the link above. Please share widely online.



PPWC Local 1 PPWC Local 5 PPWC Local 8 PPWC Len Shankel Local 9 PPWC Local 15 PPWC Local 26 Confederation of Canadian Unions François-Philippe Champagne Patty Hajdu Chuck LeBlanc

01/30/2026

https://ppwc.ca/ppwc-president-geoff-dawe-demands-immediate-assistance-for-crofton-workers-from-bc-and-federal-governments/

From Public and Private Workers of Canada - PPWC president Geoff Dawe to Prime Minister Carney and BC Premier David Eby: "I am writing further to my previous correspondence regarding the pending closure of the Crofton Pulp Mill on Vancouver Island and the urgent supports required for the 350 workers and their families who will be directly impacted... We respectfully request an update on the status of these matters and an opportunity for further discussion at your earliest convenience."

Read the full letter on the website at the link above. Please Like and Share online.

PPWC Local 1 PPWC Local 2 PPWC Local 5 PPWC Local 8 PPWC Len Shankel Local 9 PPWC Local 15 PPWC Local 26 François-Philippe Champagne Patty Hajdu Confederation of Canadian Unions

01/09/2026

01/05/2026

WorkBC Centre Cowichan Valley is offering dedicated service hours, in addition to our regular operating hours, to support workers impacted by the Domtar Crofton Mill Closure.

For more information, contact the WorkBC Centre in Duncan or our dedicated worker response team: 📞 (778) 731-2374

Dedicated phone line is monitored Monday–Friday until 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM.

12/15/2025

Last night, I spent time with workers in Crofton. I’m still carrying the weight of those conversations today.

There’s no easy way to describe what it feels like to look someone in the eye when they’ve just lost their job. When a mill closes, it isn’t numbers on a page, it’s a dad wondering how he’s going to keep the lights on, a mom trying to stay strong for her kids, a young apprentice suddenly unsure if the industry he loves still has space for him.

I heard heartbreak. I heard anger. I heard pride.

It’s impossible to walk away from a night like that without feeling it in your gut.

These workers did nothing wrong. They’ve given years, in some cases, their whole adult lives to producing some of the best and most sustainable pulp and paper in the world. They showed up, worked hard, and kept this community running.

I’m not interested in pretending this is anything other than devastating.

And I’m not interested in political theatre when people’s livelihoods are on the line.

My job now is to fight for these workers and this community to make sure they’re supported, to be present, to listen, and to leave no stone unturned in exploring any opportunities to ensure that this site continues to produce good-paying forestry jobs for the people of Crofton and the broader region.

Last night reminded me again why this work matters. Why people matter.

And why I’m going to keep fighting, every single day, for workers across British Columbia.

12/08/2025

This week, Politico took note of my conversations on the floor of the House of Commons, including corridor discussions with the federal Minister of Energy. I’ve been working behind the scenes since the moment Domtar announced the shutdown of the Crofton mill. Geoff Dawe, National President of the Public and Private Workers of Canada, who represents the workers, reached out and asked me to get involved. I want people to know that I’m honoured to help in any way I can, even though the mill is not in my riding.

The work of an MP is more than showing up in the House of Commons or talking only to members of your own party. It means doing everything possible to protect workers, families, and communities and to build solutions with anyone willing to come to the table. As the reporter noted, I have had conversations with Minister Hodgson but also with the company, the union, provincial and federal officials, local government and representatives of First Nation leaders.

My message to all of them has been clear: every effort must be made to explore all opportunities for the mill but, above all, workers and their families must be supported and looked after. Vancouver Island communities cannot afford to lose good jobs, and the people who built this mill deserve a fair, secure future. I will keep pushing, publicly and behind the scenes, for a path forward.

12/05/2025

With the hard news about the Crofton Pulp Mill, our owner Ian .leader has decided to open up 40 extra spaces for any mill employees that need a free haircut before Christmas. We know it won’t fix anything, but we hope you know we’ve got your back!

Just call the shop at 250.597.0155 and book a spot like regular, let Ian know during your appointment that you were employed by the mill and Ian won’t charge you. The haircuts have to be with Ian so make sure you request him.

*EDIT* amazing news! Our Senior Apprentices have both offered the same deal, so you can also grt cuts with Jordan in Duncan and Bre in Maple Bay!

12/05/2025

https://ppwc.ca/ppwc-president-geoff-dawe-addresses-closure-of-domtar-pulp-and-paper-mill-in-crofton-bc/

PPWC President Geoff Dawe Addresses Closure of Domtar Pulp and Paper Mill in Crofton, BC

From PPWC President Geoff Dawe: "It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. As many of you have already heard, Domtar has announced the permanent closure of the Crofton pulp and paper mill. The company said the mill will cease operations on December 15, although will continue to employ workers at the site until February 2026. This news is a deep and personal loss—one felt by 350 of our own PPWC members at Local 2 and Local 8, by their families, by the Cowichan Valley community, and by the entire forestry industry across British Columbia."

Read the full letter on the Public and Private Workers of Canada - PPWC website at the link above. Please Like and Share online.


Confederation of Canadian Unions PPWC Local 1 PPWC Local 2 PPWC Local 5 PPWC Local 8 PPWC Len Shankel Local 9 PPWC Local 15 PPWC Local 26