Business · Companies · 6 hrs ago
Nackawic mill workers urge government action before November shutdown
Workers at the AV Nackawic Mill in New Brunswick face a planned shutdown on Nov.
4, less than three weeks after the rally described in the story.
The mill’s owner, AV Group NB Inc., announced in September that it would temporarily idle the facility, citing market conditions and other challenges.
Unifor workers and leaders rallied in Nackawic, urging governments to help protect the forestry industry and the mill.
The union says the shutdown could affect about 240 unionized workers, 300 to 350 direct jobs overall, and thousands of related jobs.
Unifor is seeking a national forestry strategy and a local government task force to assess the mill’s modernization costs and long-term prospects.
The union’s national president says she has contacted potential buyers, while the union also wants the mill kept heated over winter in case it can reopen.
The province is exploring options with the company and municipality, and is organizing job fairs and helping workers access benefits.
AV Group NB Inc. plans to temporarily idle the AV Nackawic Mill on Nov. 4, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
On Friday, mill workers and Unifor leaders rallied in Nackawic to call for government action.
Unifor is seeking a national forestry strategy and a joint government task force to assess the mill’s future.
The province says it is exploring employment options and other possible uses for the facility and land.
The union says the shutdown could affect thousands of spin-off jobs as well as mill employees.
- Who
- Workers at the AV Nackawic Mill and their union, Unifor, are urging government action. The province says it is exploring options.
- What
- The mill is scheduled to be temporarily idled, and workers and the union are seeking measures to protect jobs and the facility.
- When
- The rally took place Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. The shutdown is scheduled for Nov. 4.
- Where
- The AV Nackawic Mill in Nackawic, New Brunswick, west of Fredericton.
- Why
- AV Group NB Inc. cited prevailing market conditions and other challenges. Unifor says government action could help protect the industry and explore the mill’s future.
Unifor and mill workers
AV Group NB Inc.
Mill shutdown
Unifor and mill workers
Unifor and workers are fighting to save the mill and are calling for government intervention.
AV Group NB Inc.
AV Group NB Inc. announced it would temporarily idle the facility, citing prevailing market conditions and other challenges.
AV Group NB Inc. announced it would temporarily idle the mill.
Forestry workers and Unifor leaders rallied in Nackawic to call for government intervention.
The scheduled date for the mill shutdown.
- Mill
- AV Nackawic Mill
- Shutdown date
- Nov. 4, 2026
- Unionized workers affected
- About 240
- Overall direct jobs affected
- About 300 to 350
- Possible spin-off jobs affected
- Thousands
- Location
- Nackawic, New Brunswick
What people are saying
We will not stop fighting regardless of deadlines or whatever happens after Nov. 4.
I, myself, have contacted other players in the forestry industry to say, ‘Look, there’s a great mill there, there’s great workforce, would you go have a look at it and see if this is something that you would be interested in taking on?'
We’re turning over every rock to see what the possibilities are for employment and a different use of either the facility, the land, all of the pieces. (We’re) engaging with the sector.