Final day for employees at Domtar pulp mill in Espanola, Ont.
Thursday was the final day of work for employees on the pulp side of Domtar’s pulp and paper mill in Espanola.
They’ll be laid off after the company reported operating losses over the past several years.
The union that represents workers has been attempting to soften the impact.
Stephen Boon, the Northern Area director of Unifor, said an agreement was reached with the company to try to offer as many early retirement packages as possible.
“So there’s been a lot of work that’s been done to soften the impact of this announcement but at the same time we know it’s still going to be difficult,” Boon said.
In a statement to CTV News, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith said he is disappointed with Domtar’s decision to idle the mill.
"Our government has engaged with the company to better understand the details of the decision and explore any possible alternatives,” the statement said.
Thursday was the final day of work for employees on the pulp side of Domtar’s pulp and paper mill in Espanola. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News)
But it doesn’t appear to be all doom and gloom. Mayor Douglas Gervais said he is optimistic about Espanola’s future.
“I believe that I am a very positive person and all of council is,” Gervais said.
“It’s a great feeling to be supported by the community ‘cause they are very supportive and we’re doing very well with it.”
Johnathan Nadeau is a third-generation Domtar worker who finished work a few days ago. He has a unique perspective given he’s also a town councillor.
LEVEL OF POSITIVITY
“A lot of people have found other work and that’s been good and helped keep a level of positivity within the mill and the community,” Nadeau said.
“On my final day I was lucky enough to go walk around, shook a lot of people’s hands, wished them the best of luck. We kind of talked about the next steps.”
Gervais said he is hopeful a new employer will set up shop in his community, although nothing has been confirmed yet.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“We’re very positive that things are going to turn around at Domtar, and if not we’re still going to be OK,” he said.
More layoffs will happen in January once the paper side of the mill closes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.