The Ontario NDP is urging the Ford administration to intervene and safeguard forestry jobs following the announcement that the Gogama sawmill will temporarily close for two weeks before operating on a reduced schedule. United Steelworkers Local 1-2010, the labor union representing the workers, reported that the mill, typically operational with two shifts Monday through Thursday and employing approximately 60 individuals, has ceased operations and laid off 90% of its workforce. The mill is expected to resume operations on November 3 with a single shift indefinitely.
Interfor, the company that owns the sawmill situated near Gogama, stated that the decision was prompted by persistent market challenges affecting not only Canada but also other regions in the U.S. and Canada. The adjustment aims to align supply with current demand amidst economic uncertainty, as stated in an email to CBC.
Jacques Jean, the union president, emphasized the uncertainty prevailing in the forestry sector, leaving northern workers in a precarious position. He called for a concrete plan from the government to address the situation and provide job security for workers.
Mushkegowuk–James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin, the NDP’s forestry critic, highlighted the plight of northern communities like Gogama facing mill closures or curtailments due to external factors such as U.S. tariffs and economic challenges. Bourgouin expressed disappointment in the lack of substantial government assistance for the forestry industry, contrasting it with support provided to other sectors like automobile and steel.
While acknowledging recent government funding to reopen the Kapuskasing paper mill, Bourgouin stressed the necessity for a long-term solution to support the forestry sector effectively. The NDP is advocating for a comprehensive forestry strategy encompassing investments in modernization, green energy, and innovation, as well as inter-ministerial coordination to integrate forestry into housing and infrastructure initiatives.
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas underscored the severe impact on small communities like Gogama, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention to preserve jobs and sustain livelihoods. The Ontario NDP is pushing for a robust long-term plan for the forestry industry in the province, emphasizing the utilization of local resources and support for worker transitions and retraining programs.
In response, a spokesperson for Kevin Holland, the associate minister of forestry and forest products, highlighted the government’s efforts to protect the forestry sector through investments in mill modernization, cost reduction, and business growth initiatives. Additionally, the government is allocating significant funding to support Ontario businesses and workers through various programs aimed at retraining and facilitating re-entry into the labor market.
