Region Archives: Canada East

ESPANOLA, Ontario — It’s been a year since Domtar indefinitely idled Espanola’s pulp and paper mill and laid off 450 employees. Potential buyers have since toured the place, but an offer has yet to materialize. As the town heads into municipal budget deliberations, staff aren’t anticipating the paper machines to be turned back on any time soon. Domtar is in conversation with the province to reassess the value of the decades-old plant in a bid to reduce its municipal tax bill. …The town has applied for funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario to develop an economic diversification strategy that would involve moving away from the pulp and paper industry. …Ian Dunn, president and CEO of the Ontario Forest Industries Association, argues there’s still a lot of untapped economic potential in the province’s forestry sector…as there’s “huge opportunity” in the bioeconomy – using forests to produce energy.

JP Gladu’s life has been one of great achievements. After graduating from Sault College’s Forestry Technician program in the early 1990s, Gladu went on to work in the forestry sector and is now a recognized corporate leader and supporter of Indigenous businesses. The Ojibway man and Thunder Bay native was recognized Nov. 26 for his work with a Premier’s Award for excellence in business. Premier’s Awards recognize the outstanding contributions Ontario college graduates make in the province and throughout the world. …Gladu, 51, currently resides in Sand Point First Nation, two hours north of Thunder Bay. He is the founder and principal of Mokwateh and a Macdonald-Laurier Institute Senior Fellow. Mokwateh is an Indigenous-owned team of consultants that advises the Forest Products Association of Canada and helps support Indigenous businesses. As an advocate for the Indigenous economy, Gladu was the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business president and CEO for eight years.

Appeal requests were filed by Acadian Timber, H.J. Crabbe & Sons and the JDI intended appellants, which represents 13 companies. According to the JDI appeal, they’re looking for one of two things — for the original claim against them to be dismissed or that they “be reinstated as proper party defendants to this action with full rights of participation therein.” The JDI court document said Gregory’s decision to remove all industrial defendants from the case “was neither requested by the JDI Appellants nor contemplated by the Rule pursuant to which their motion was brought.” Removing them leaves them without a voice in the fight over land that they own, according to their notice of motion. …A spokesperson for Wolastoqey Nation stated, “Justice Gregory’s decision reinforces our position that negotiation between the Wolastoqey Nation and the Crown is our preferred approach.” Treaty veteran doubts court would take private land.

MONTREAL  – Unifor members of Council 4000 and Local 100 at Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with 96% of Local 100 members and 97% of Council 4000 members supporting the mandate, preparing to take action should an agreement not be reached by January 1, 2025. “This overwhelming vote sends a clear message to CN that our members are united and prepared to take action to achieve the fair treatment and respect they deserve,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members have had enough of concessions that erode their rights and livelihoods and they are standing strong to demand a contract that reflects their value and the critical role they play in CN’s success.” The decisive vote underscores the frustration and determination of CN workers who have been advocating for job security, fair compensation and improved working conditions.

NEW BRUNSWICK — Several of the province’s major forestry companies are appealing a major decision in the Indigenous title fight that had appeared to go their way. A judge ruled that several big industrial defendants and everyday private property owners must be removed from a lawsuit launched by the Wolastoqey Nation. But J.D. Irving, Acadian Timber and H.J. Crabbe and Sons have all now filed separate appeals to New Brunswick’s top court. The new appeal argues that while the court ruled that industrial defendants are no longer part of the lawsuit – as they were granted the land by the government and are a third party to the larger dispute – their land is still listed in the lawsuit. …J.D. Irving’s appeal states that the decision maintains a claim against JDI properties, while, at the same time “depriving them of their right to be heard and to make submissions regarding their fundamental property rights.”

DRYDEN, Ontario – A quick response from Dryden firefighters prevented a fire at Dryden Fibre Canada from escalating on Friday night. The fire, which started in a piece of machinery at the mill, was reported at approximately 8:30 p.m. Seventeen firefighters from the Dryden Fire Service responded promptly, working alongside the mill’s Emergency Response Team to extinguish the blaze quickly and effectively. By 9:35 p.m., after ensuring the facility was secure and conducting thorough checks, crews were able to return to the station. …No injuries were reported, and the mill is expected to resume regular operations following a review of the impacted machinery.

QUÉBEC CITY — In the fall 2024 Update on Québec’s Economic and Financial Situation, the government has chosen to support Québec’s forestry sector, which has been facing a number of challenges over the past few years. …To support certain businesses currently facing liquidity problems, notably because of the dispute with the United States over various softwood lumber products, financial assistance of up to $100 million will be granted in the form of loans. The Québec government and the Canadian government have agreed to step up reforestation efforts and to plant more than 100 million trees in public and private forests by 2030-2031. More specifically, the Canadian government has committed to contributing $220 million under the 2 Billion Trees program to further the Québec government’s efforts aimed at increasing reforestation, particularly in unproductive sites and areas affected by natural disturbances, and to ensure tree planting maintenance, bringing the total investment to $440 million.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today announced that an agreement has been extended between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro) and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited. The extended agreement, which became effective on October 1 for a period of six months, includes Hydro purchasing excess green energy from Corner Brook Pulp and Paper’s Deer Lake Power assets. In turn, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper will continue its efforts to identify new revenue sources from viable wood-based projects in order to unlock Newfoundland and Labrador’s high forest potential while further stabilizing the mill’s sustainability and future. The agreement between Hydro and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper for energy generated from Corner Brook Pulp and Paper’s existing power generation facilities will provide flexibility for Hydro to draw upon when needed, particularly during winter months. There is no impact on the ratepayer as a result of the agreement.

A New Brunswick judge has ruled that Aboriginal title can be declared over privately owned land — even land they’re not fighting to reclaim. Justice Kathryn Gregory also ruled that land owners can’t be directly sued for the return of land. Instead, the fight is with the Crown. “I acknowledge such a declaration impacts everyone, Crown and non-Crown, but the legal declaration itself is against the Crown only. …As a result, she dismissed the case against all of the “industrial defendants,” including Irving Oil and J. D. Irving, leaving only the Crown as represented by the provincial and federal governments. Launched in 2021, the lawsuit asserts title to more than half of New Brunswick. …Although she dismissed the case against all of the industrial defendants, Gregory did say their land is still on the table. “The Crown may be directed or ordered to use its expropriation powers” to return land to the Wolastoqey, she said.