A Quiet Giant: The Abandoned Weyerhaeuser Mill in Prince Albert
Dating back to 1968, the pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert once stood as the city's largest employer and a cornerstone of Saskatchewan's forest industry. Significant investments followed, including a $315 million upgrade in 2000 aimed at improving both efficiency and environmental performance.
However, shifting market dynamics took their toll. In October 2005, Weyerhaeuser announced the mill’s indefinite closure driven by declining pulp and paper demand and excess production capacity. The enterprise phased out paper production by early January 2006, and by spring, the pulp operations had ceased entirely.
The 2006 shutdown triggered widespread repercussions. The mill directly employed around 690 individuals and supported another 1,380 indirect jobs across the region. Combined with sawmill closures and disrupted supply chains, the total job losses surged to nearly 3,953. City revenue took a hit, with an estimated $3.3 million in lost property tax and surcharge income —a blow felt in schools, hospitals, local businesses, and beyond.
Reflecting on the impact a decade later, then-mayor Greg Dionne remarked that the mill's closure wasn't just about job numbers—it rippled through entire communities. He noted, “There was 700 jobs here. There was probably 1,400 jobs out on the field…”
In 2007, Domtar acquired the shuttered mill, and a few years later, Paper Excellence assumed ownership in 2011. Although plans surfaced to restart operations—targeting a 2023 relaunch—they ultimately faltered. By September 2024, Paper Excellence confirmed there would be no reopening due to unfavorable market conditions.
Despite the setback, the mill continues to symbolize hope and community attachment. Former employees have organized reunions to remember their time there with pride and nostalgia.
The Weyerhaeuser pulp and paper mill in Prince Albert tells a story of industrial ambition, economic centrality, and community resilience. Once a driving force of regional prosperity—bolstered by investments and innovation—it fell victim to evolving global markets and structural challenges. Its closure left a void that still echoes across northern Saskatchewan today.
