CANADA (From news reports) -- The Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill is shutting down operations for seven days starting on Nov. 20, according to its parent company, Kruger Inc.

It's a move that will affect approximately 300 employees at the mill, the last newsprint mill in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The company cited "the difficult business environment in the newsprint sector" as the reason.

"The company may carry out additional production shutdowns in the coming weeks," reads a news release from the company on Wednesday morning. "The duration of these interruptions will depend on the evolution of the newsprint market."

The company said it will use the first shutdown to conduct an annual inspection and repair work on the mill's main boiler. Kruger declined an interview request by local media.

The mill went through a similar shutdown in 2019, when it closed for two weeks at Christmas due to a weak market for the product. It also cut 22 permanent positions as a cost-savings measure.

The Corner Brook newsprint mill was built in the early 1920s and first produced paper in 1925. Kruger bought the operation from the Bowater Corporation in 1984.

Newfoundland and Labrador Forestry Minister Elvis Loveless said Wednesday morning he didn't have much information about the shutdown, but said he expects the province will be "in talks" with Kruger soon.

"It's a challenge. We know the industry is changing," he said.

"We know the forestry industry has changed from a newspaper perspective. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has faced many challenges and we look forward to working with them on this challenge to hopefully see tomorrow be a better day."

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