KAPUSKASING – In the shadow of the Kap Paper mill and with empty rail cards in the background, hundreds of people rallied today to save the Kapuskasing facility that the company announced on Monday would be idled. The ask is for a three-month loan from the province to give the company time to apply for a federal government longer-term fund. “The money will ensure Kap Paper can transition to a long-term stable market. We need Ontario and the federal government to work with us on a solution and not point fingers at each other. The fate of our town’s mills, workers and families are too important for these games,” Kapuskasing, Mayor Dave Plourde said. GreenFirst announced today that its sawmill operations in Kapuskasing, Hearst, Cochrane will be reduced for one week starting on Oct. 6. While Politis said it was heartwarming to see the crowd standing together, he’s disappointed in politicians.
Related coverage in CBC News: Union says Kapuskasing mill workers were told it was ‘business as usual’ 2 weeks before shutdown