Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell is visiting Burns Lake today to meet with First Nations and community leaders about the aftereffects of the devastating fire that gutted the Babine Forest Products sawmill.
Bell, the BC minister of jobs, tourism and innovation, will also meet with union and business organizations.
"I know that ultimately if Hampton could rebuild [the mill] they'd love to do that," said Bell. "I have been in touch with the CEO already."
Hampton Affiliates is an Oregon-based company which owns the mill headed by CEO Steve Zilkas.
Bell said the first priority is finding employment for the 250 workers who lost their livelihood in the fire. The MLA said he's contacted several mills and mines in the area for suitable jobs.
"Once that work is done then we'll move on to trying to get better information on the lumber supply in the region so we can work with Hampton as they make their decision about whether or not they're going to rebuild the operation," said Bell.
"What we need to do is provide them with the best possible information we can to allow them to make that decision," he added. "I would hate to see a decision made, especially a no decision, based on poor information."
Bell worked with the town of Mackenzie in the past when they were dealing with the closure of several mills and he said he'll bring some of the lessons learned to Burns Lake.
It will likely take a year to 18 months to rebuild the plant from the day a decision is made.
