By Darasimi Kikelomo
International Labour Canada —With the proposed sale of Domtar’s long-curtailed pulp and paper mill looming, Unifor is renewing urgent calls for a coordinated national strategy to protect the future of Canada’s forestry industry—and the communities that depend on it.
“Hundreds of workers and their families in Espanola have been living in limbo for months,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “This is a small Northern Ontario town bearing the brunt of corporate decisions and government inaction. Workers are doing their part in this trade war to defend their livelihoods—it’s time for governments at every level to do theirs.”
The Espanola mill, once the largest employer in the town and a vital part of the region’s economy, was officially curtailed in November 2023, leaving over 350 Unifor members—represented by Locals 74 and 156—without work. Domtar’s recent move to sell the mill has raised more questions than answers, particularly concerning the future of its workforce and the economic stability of the community.
“While the possibility of a new buyer was a glimmer of hope, we’ve seen more headlines about the machinery than the people,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor’s Ontario Regional Director. “This isn’t just about equipment—it’s about families, livelihoods, and the survival of an entire community.”
The call for government action comes amid intensifying pressure from U.S. trade tariffs on Canadian lumber and forest products. Unifor’s Forestry Council issued a statement outlining the challenges facing the sector nationwide and offering concrete steps governments must take—including investment in infrastructure, regulatory oversight of mergers and acquisitions, and policies to boost domestic production and sustainability.
Hashi stressed that without intervention, communities like Espanola risk being hollowed out by global market forces and a lack of federal and provincial direction.
“We cannot allow our industries to be dismantled from within while we fight external battles,” she said. “We need a vision for the forestry sector that protects good jobs, supports sustainable practices, and ensures our rural communities aren’t left behind.”
Unifor has consistently advocated for worker protections in the forestry industry and beyond. Representing 315,000 workers in sectors ranging from energy and manufacturing to telecommunications and transportation, the union is Canada’s largest in the private sector.
“This is a defining moment,” Payne added. “What happens in Espanola will echo in every mill town across the country. It’s time for real leadership to show up—and for action to replace uncertainty.”
