Ian Dunn

“Timmins and northeastern Ontario have well-established and world-class sawmills,” said Ian Dunn, CEO of the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA). “They are being challenged by the ongoing consolidation and evolution of the pulp and paper sector, weak housing demand in the US, and now 45% market entry costs.” On Oct. 4 federal and provincial governments stepped in with short term funding to prevent the idling of the Kap Paper, the region’s last remaining paper mill in Kapuskasing. The move averted the loss of over 300 direct jobs. …Another reason cited was the declining market for the mill’s products, newsprint and bulk paper for books. Industry has been advising governments at all levels to anticipate and prepare for what they say is a crisis. …“The US has reached the absurd conclusion that upholstered furniture and softwood lumber represent a national security threat to the most powerful military on earth,” Dunn said.