Forestry

In struggling to recapture its industrial base following the December closure of the Sturgeon Falls Weyerhaeuser mill, West Nipissing is putting the building blocks in place to pursue economic prosperity once again.

The funds might be running down but the legacy of the Living Legacy Trust is expected to go on for some time.

It has been an emotional roller coaster for Echo Bay Milling Ltd. owner Conrad Mainville.

After a month-long hiatus, Kenora Forest Products is back up and running. On July 24, the company laid off 125 people citing low lumber prices and high tariffs, as a factor in the decision to shutdown the mill.

With so much wood in its backyard, and so many opportunities presented by new industries, Iroquois Falls has taken its first step toward becoming a leading community in value-added wood products.

Domtar has ceased all of its operations in Sault Ste. Marie. Domtar made the announcement Aug. 26 that it would be shutting down planing and drying operations at the end of October. The move affects 58 jobs.

Although news of more layoffs in the forestry sector was announced in Atikokan, the small community of 2,000, located about 150 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, is looking for new opportunities. On Aug. 15, Proboard Ltd.

Making a move from dimensional lumber producer to value-added wood product manufacturer is not that big of an adjustment for Ontario’s wood industry, says a consultant. It is all a question of attitude, Peter Woodbridge says.

One battle may have been won, but the softwood lumber war is far from over, as those closest to Canada’s lumber industry will attest. The latest victory came on Aug.

Profit margins may appear to be on a downslide for some larger publicly-traded forestry companies, but one Laurentian University economics professor disputes the rationale companies are using to initiate shutdowns.