A press conference was held on March 17 at Domtar’s Gatineau mill to provide an update on the project to convert the site into a container board production facility. This ambitious initiative aims not only to preserve over a hundred jobs, but also to create new jobs with growth in production and the emergence of new opportunities in the supply chain. The project represents a major step towards ensuring a sustainable future for the local manufacturing industry.
The event was attended by the Minister of Jobs and Families, Steven MacKinnon, and Unifor Quebec Director, Daniel Cloutier. The discussion focused on financial support from the federal government, which could represent one of the largest investments ever made in the region to help fund the mill’s conversion. The goal is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the site by helping it adapt to new market realities and environmental requirements.
In a context marked by sweeping economic uncertainty and fluctuations in the North American market, the mill’s workers, who are represented by Unifor, expect to see concrete commitments. This meeting is a key step to ensuring the best possible conditions for this industrial transition and the support of the various levels of government.
“This is the start of good news – excellent news even!” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director. “Unifor is thrilled, and we plan to offer as much of our cooperation as possible, while respecting our members, because this is a truly inspiring project, not only for the regional economy, but for the sector as a whole. It’s a strong signal of the type of transformation that the forest industry must envisage for Quebec.”
A long-term commitment
At a time when the economic situation and the prospect of an early federal election are causing concern for many, Domtar management reiterated its willingness to work with all political parties to ensure that the project goes ahead. Unifor insists on the importance of stable, long-term support, regardless of the political context, in order to guarantee the sustainability of jobs in Gatineau.
The union will continue to rigorously monitor developments related to this project and to demand clear commitments from governments and the employer to ensure the success of this essential industrial transformation
