Vaugeois: "Failure to Address Terrace Bay Mill Closure Crushing Families of Northern Ontario Forestry Workers"

Thunder Bay — The Ontario leadership of the United Steel Workers (USW) is still waiting for a reply to a letter sent to Doug Ford on July 17, asking for a meeting to discuss reopening the Pulp Mill in Terrace Bay. Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles and MPP Lise Vaugeois have since written to Premier Ford urging immediate action for these hundreds of workers without employment and clear answers about their future.

"Doug Ford and his politicians have chosen to extend their summer recess by six weeks, not to work for the people of Ontario, but to hold BBQs, fundraise and play golf. Meanwhile, hundreds of Terrace Bay workers struggle to make ends meet, and the future of an entire region hangs in the balance," said Vaugeois.

"Regardless of where you live in Ontario—Toronto or rural Terrace Bay—you deserve a good, secure job in your sector that supports your family and contributes to your community. A Support Centre in Terrace Bay to help workers find non-forestry-related jobs is not the solution people in the region seek.

Residents want Doug Ford to recognize how pivotal the Terrace Bay mill is to the economy of Northwestern Ontario, invest in it, and bring it up to the highest industry standards so that it can provide sustainable jobs in the Ontario forest industry.”

Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP will continue to fight until the Terrace Bay Mill is reopened and a much-needed, coherent, integrated, and sustainable forestry plan is implemented.