CANADA (From news reports) -- The planned shutdown of Crofton's pulp and paper mill was scheduled to take place Dec. 15, but Domtar's senior director of public affairs said the change will benefit employees and suppliers.

Chris Stoicheff said the original date was set for Dec. 15, but the company has since re‑evaluated that timeline.

"The shutdown of the Crofton mill operation has been extended until Jan. 4," he said. "This provides our employees with a continued schedule throughout the holiday season and our suppliers a few additional weeks to provide services to the mill."

Although the shutdown date has been extended, Stoicheff said there will be no change to final staffing decisions.

"Our employees will continue working at the site until February, and in some cases April on asset preservation," he said.

North Cowichan mayor Rob Douglas said it does not matter which date Domtar chooses to close the mill; it will still have a huge impact on the community.

"This is devastating for our community, we're talking about 350 jobs," he said. "These workers are real people with family, mortgages and there are also indirect jobs."

The mill closure was announced Dec. 3.