Témiscaming mayor highlights ‘tremendous potential’ of industrial site
The mayor of Témiscaming says since the announcement by RYAM about its temporary shutdown coming mid-September, he’s been highlighting the tremendous potential of the industrial site.
Alain Gauthier says that’s on top of speaking about the workers, families and businesses affected by the situation.
The plant produces cellulose, pulp, and coated paperboard with an economic shutdown of most operations slated for Sept. 15, because of U.S. tariffs.
Gauthier says the potential extends across the Témiscamingue region, adding it has exceptional strengths when it comes to the forestry industry.
He says within a radius of about 80 km, the region has the potential to bring together three pulp mills, a softwood sawmill and a hardwood glued-laminated timber beam plant, creating significant opportunities.
“We also have a regional reality that allows us to move forward: no woodland caribou-related issues preventing development, no blockades, and a long-standing collaboration with First Nations to ensure the effective and sustainable management of our forest resources,” he says, in a release. “In fact, we are not even harvesting the full volumes currently available to us. All of this must be part of the conversation about our future.“
Gauthier adds given the challenges currently facing Quebec’s forest industry, Témiscamingue should be the region where governments choose to support the development, transformation and diversification of the industry.
He says political efforts and discussions with partners are continuing.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
