Northern Municipality Hit Hard as a Result of Forestry Sector Challenges
Date published: Friday, December 5, 2014
December 5, 2014 – Kapuskasing, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is saddened to hear of the recent announcement by Resolute Forest Products that they will permanently close the newsprint mill in Iroquois Falls on December 22, 2014.
Forestry companies that operate across northern Ontario continue to face challenges, including fibre-related issues, market circumstances, and attacks from environmental groups.
“We will be requesting a meeting with Premier Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Bill Mauro and Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle to discuss the recent announcement,” says Al Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing and President of FONOM.
The position that the Town of Iroquois Falls has been put into represents the vulnerability of many municipalities in the north. Closure of a major employer in a small community has negative effects beyond direct job losses – the impacts are felt throughout the community.
FONOM continues to advocate for northeastern communities and the forestry sectors which many depend upon.
For More Information:
Mayor Al Spacek of Kapuskasing, President of FONOM
705-335-0001