NDP calls for long-term plan as another Northern mill announces closure

QUEEN’S PARK — The Ontario NDP is once again calling on the Ford government to take urgent, long-term action to protect forestry jobs and communities across Northern Ontario, following the announcement that the Gogama sawmill will be curtailing operations.

“We’ve seen Espanola, Terrace Bay, Kap Paper, Ear Falls, and now Gogama all face closures or curailment” said Guy Bourgouin, NDP MPP for Mushkegowuk–James Bay and Official Opposition Forestry Critic. “How many more of these will it take for the government to put forth a tangible, sustainable Forestry Plan to protect the workers, communities and the industry for the future? Why are we seeing a pattern of crises and closures and a government being reactive instead of putting in the work and being proactive with concrete solutions and innovation for growth? These are families' livelihoods we are talking about, in single industry towns this hurts our residents tremendously.”

France Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt, echoed the call for a sustainable, forward-looking approach. “Every time a mill closes, we lose good-paying jobs and see more people leave the North. For a small town of about 300 people, like Gogama, 50 layoffs are devastating. When are we going to see this minister and this government deliver a real strategy that will support our mill workers and support our forestry industry?”

Jacques Jean, President of United Steelworkers Local 1-2010, expressed frustration with the repeated instability facing the sector. ““how many mills need to curtail production before the government realizes the need for a real plan. Our members want to work, they want job security, and they deserve a government that has their back.”

The Ontario NDP continues to advocate for a Forestry Strategy that includes:

• Long-term power and co-generation agreements;
• Investments in modernization, green energy, and innovation;
• Coordination across ministries to connect forestry to housing and infrastructure development; and
• Worker-centered transition supports and retraining programs.

“Forestry has sustained Northern communities for generations,” Bourgouin said. “If this government is serious about economic growth, it must start by protecting the people and industries that keep our regions strong.”