Jackson Widjaja

The foreign industrialist who controls Canada’s biggest pulp-and-paper company says he’s a “big believer” in this country and would welcome the opportunity to appear before Parliament to ease any concerns about his ownership. Jackson Widjaja, an Indonesian, says he launched Paper Excellence Group in Canada in 2006 because the country’s politics and regulatory environment are stable while its resources are “very rich.” And he says he intends to continue to invest here, as he aims to become the continent’s top pulp-and-paper producer. …The quick growth of his business empire has generated significant concern, centring on Paper Excellence’s documented ties to the Widjaja family’s other holdings – specifically Sinar Mas and its subsidiary Asia Pulp and Paper Group (APP). …The company lost its accreditation several years ago with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). …He said he’s confident that his team is doing everything it can to retain its FSC certification. Sustainability is “at the core of our business.” [to access the full story a Globe & Mail subscription is required]