CANADA (From news reports) -- The B.C. Conservative party says it's worried job losses could be permanent with a temporary curtailment of operations announced at the Quesnel River Pulp mill, owned by Millar Western Forest Products Ltd.

In a press release, the party said 90 workers will be affected by the curtailment, with operations expected to halt by September and resume in November.

"This is devastating news for Quesnel," said Sheldon Clare, MLA for Prince George-North Cariboo in the release.

"These are 90 good-paying jobs in a community that depends on forestry. The community would see a huge drop in economic benefit, and local government could see a significant drop in tax revenue. This curtailment will hurt people and businesses."

The neighbouring City of Prince George, roughly 120 kilometres north of Quesnel, has already suffered a closure at Canfor's Northwood Pulp Mill, with approximately 300 people facing layoffs.

Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull says this isn't the first time there's been a curtailment at the mill, and hopes it is just temporary.

"We're just going one day and one curtailment at a time," Paull said.

"We're encouraged that the mill is going to continue to look after their employees in terms of allowing them to use vacation time and allowing their benefits to continue."

Todd Doherty, Conservative MP for Cariboo-Prince George, said his heart goes out to the workers affected, expressing he'd like to see the federal government secure a softwood lumber deal with the United States to provide more stability for the forestry industry.

"It is absolutely disheartening, it's so disappointing," he said. "Every job loss is not just a mill worker. It's a family that is left not knowing how they're going to put food on the table."

"These are generational jobs, and a lot of families have been in it for a long time. A lot of these workers have been in it for 20 plus years.