The Ontario NDP has urged the Ford government to intervene and safeguard forestry jobs following the announcement that the Gogama sawmill will temporarily shut down for two weeks before resuming operations on a reduced schedule. United Steelworkers Local 1-2010, representing the workers, revealed that the mill, typically operating two shifts from Monday to Thursday and employing approximately 60 individuals, has ceased operations and laid off 90% of its workforce. The mill is set to restart operations on Nov. 3 with only one shift indefinitely.
Interfor, the company owning the sawmill located near Gogama off Highway 560, cited ongoing market challenges as the reason for the decision, emphasizing that this issue extends beyond Canada. The company stated, “These adjustments are occurring in all our operating regions in the U.S. and Canada to align supply with current demand and ensure responsible business management during economic uncertainty.”
Union president Jacques Jean expressed concerns about the forestry sector’s instability, leaving northern workers in uncertain circumstances. The NDP’s forestry critic, Mushkegowuk–James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin, highlighted the increasing number of northern communities, including Gogama, facing mill closures or curtailments due to factors like U.S. tariffs and economic conditions. Bourgouin emphasized the need for government support to address the challenges faced by the forestry industry.
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas emphasized the significant impact on small communities like Gogama, advocating for government action to protect jobs and assist affected families. The Ontario NDP is pushing for a comprehensive long-term forestry strategy for the province, focusing on investments in modernization, green energy, and innovation, as well as support for worker transitions and training programs.
In response, a spokesperson for Kevin Holland, the associate minister of forestry and forest products, stated that the Ontario government is committed to safeguarding the forestry sector through various initiatives, including investments in mill modernization and support for businesses to enhance competitiveness. The government has allocated significant funding to assist Ontario businesses and workers, aiming to mitigate the effects of economic challenges on the forestry industry.