Kamloops Pulp Mill Hosts (Mock)Tailgate BBQ for AUD Awareness

In June, Kruger’s Kamloops Pulp Mill hosted a workplace wellness event that brought health resources—as well as delicious food and cold, non-alcoholic drinks—to staff during a "mock-tailgate BBQ" held right in the mill yard. Organized through a partnership between Kruger’s management team and Unifor Local 10-B, and supported by the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society (CAUDS) and United Way BC, the event was part of a broader initiative to raise awareness about alcohol use disorder (AUD) and promote access to care supports in Kamloops.

The event, held during Men’s Health Week, came about from a campaign launched last November, when CAUDS and United Way BC hosted a community workshop at Moccasins Square Garden. The gathering brought together health professionals, community organizers, and everyday citizens to explore how alcohol-related harms could be addressed outside of clinical settings, with an emphasis on prevention and upstream efforts.

One of the attendees, Aimie Robinson (Nurse and Disability Management Coordinator at the mill), was inspired by the conversation and saw potential for bringing a similar focus to her own workplace. “The majority of our site is made up of people in trades who fall into the high-risk population for substance use,”Robinson explained. “I was hoping to inspire other organizations to promote more health and wellness initiatives, especially less talked about topics like alcohol use.”

Together with union leadership, including Kyle Tomlinson (Carpenter and Disability Management Coordinator for Unifor Local 10-B), the team helped bring the idea to life. Staff were invited to visit wellness booths hosted by CAUDS, Interior Health, United Way BC, Tailgate Toolkit, and Local 10-B, where they could gather information, ask questions, and enter a prize draw. Prizes were donated by local businesses, including Mocktail Mixery, a retailer specializing in zero-proof beverages, which was also on site serving alcohol-free refreshments to help staff beat the heat.

Interior Health’s booth included Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi, Medical Health Officer for the region, who led a drop-in “Ask Me Anything” session—giving workers direct access to expert guidance on alcohol, health, and available supports without the need for a formal appointment.

According to Tomlinson, the event sparked multiple layers of conversation: “There was a lot of productive discussion going on with individuals about safe use, moderation, and including more non-alcoholic options in everyday activities.”

Beyond the resources themselves, the presence of both union and employer partners helped reinforce a message of care and collaboration. “I appreciate having our union involved in initiatives and events like this,” Tomlinson added. “It highlights that unions and their reps play an important role in health, safety, and wellness—not just labour matters.”

By hosting the event in the mill yard and using familiar faces and local resources, Kruger made information more visible and approachable—demonstrating how employers can take proactive and compassionate steps to support their teams, not just by responding to issues, but by investing in prevention and partnership.

As Jeff Conners of Interior Health’s Legal Substances team noted: “It highlighted what can be done in workplaces when unions, employees, and employers can work together. Hats off to Kyle, Aimie, Irene (Mill Manager), and crew for building those relationships.”

“Employers are more than just places of work—they are communities, and they have the power to set the tone for what wellness and support can look like,” said Kristi Rintoul, Director of Community Impact & Investment with United Way BC. “What Kruger is doing here is the right kind of leadership—it creates culture, not just policy.”