MP calls for federal action on tariffs
NAIRN AND HYMAN—MP Jim Belanger (Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt) is calling on the federal government to take immediate action to reduce softwood lumber tariffs following the announced temporary, but indefinite closure of the Interfor sawmills in Nairn Centre and Gogama, which is expected to result in the loss of more than 200 good-paying jobs beginning in early June.
“These closures are devastating for workers, their families and our region,” said MP Belanger in a release. “The federal government’s inaction on softwood lumber tariffs is pricing Canadian lumber out of the market and putting Northern Ontario jobs at serious risk.”
MP Belanger is urging the federal government to intensify efforts to reduce tariffs and work with industry and communities to stabilize the forestry sector and prevent further job losses.
Svetlana Kayumova, vice-president corporate communications and government relations of Interfor, in a statement to Rosalind Russell, of Vista Radio, wrote, “Interfor has made the difficult decision to indefinitely curtail operations at our Nairn Centre and Gogama facilities due to ongoing weak market conditions, sustained softwood lumber duties and tariffs, and continued cost pressures.”
“Like many others in our sector, we are navigating a combination of persistent market headwinds and the continued impact of US trade actions, including softwood lumber duties. These pressures have made it increasingly difficult to operate certain facilities in a sustainable way,” wrote Ms. Kayumova.
“There is no timeline for a restart at this time,” wrote Ms. Kayumova. “The operation will continue running for a limited period to process existing log inventory, with the sawmill expected to operate into early to mid-June and the planer into late June, subject to confirmation.”
Ms. Kayumova wrote, “This decision was not taken lightly. We recognize the impact this has on employees and the broader Nairn and Hyman and Gogama community, and we will continue to communicate openly with local leaders and stakeholders as circumstances evolve.”
“We recognize the impact this has on our employees, their families, and the broader community, and we are working with these stakeholders as this decision is implemented,” wrote Ms. Kayumova.
A statement from the Township of Nairn and Hyman states, “The Township of Nairn and Hyman is saddened by the announcement that Interfor will be indefinitely curtailing operations at the Nairn Centre mill. We recognize how difficult this news is for employees, their families, and the many local businesses and residents who feel its impact across our community. The mill has been a cornerstone of Nairn and Hyman for generations, and this news is hitting our community hard.”
“Our immediate focus is on supporting those affected. The township will work with federal and provincial partners, local agencies and community stakeholders to help ensure workers and their families can access available supports during this transition.”
Nairn and Hyman Mayor Amy Mazey acknowledged both the challenges and the community’s strength. “This is a difficult time for our community, but we have been through tough times before, and we know that with hard work, effectively using all of our resources and pulling together as a team, we can have great results. Thankfully, the Lacloche Region Economic Diversification Plan has been completed giving our council many options to move our community forward. It may take flexibility and compromise, but I believe the best Nairn and Hyman is still to come. We will be able to use this as a resource.”
“As we learn more over the coming days and weeks, the township will do everything it can to help the workers and families impacted and the community at large,” the statement reads.
Mayor Mazey told The Expositor, “I mean this is a huge loss, as this is a huge business employing many people in the area. No one wants to see the mill closed long-term. There are a lot of people invested in this business and we’re here to support them. This business has been around a long-time.”
“We’re here to help the employees and their families,” said Mayor Mazey, who said once the town received the news, Nairn and Hyman officials met with Espanola town officials to discuss steps they can take. “Espanola has been through the same thing we are going through over the last few years. We can learn from their experience.” She explained Nairn and Hyman will be looking toward hosting a special job fair for local Interfor employees. “We will also be attending the FONOM (Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities) conference in May, where we have requested a forum with the Minister of Northern Development and Economic Growth, the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources to bring forward concerns and look for support of the company and those being affected,” continued Mayor Mazey.
“Our community will get through this; we have a very resilient community,” said Mayor Mazey. “I think we were all somewhat surprised with the news, but we have all been concerned for a while now, especially with the tariffs that have been put in place, and fuel prices rising. Personally, I was surprised to get the call on the news, I was hoping we would be able to ride out the storm.”
MP Belanger said he had not been alerted previously that Interfor was going to be making this announcement. “I had met with some people from Interfor a few months ago where we discussed trades and tariffs and the strain these were putting on the business.”
“Our position is that the government has been dragging its feet on getting a new deal with the US on soft lumber,” said MP Belanger. In 2022 the tariffs were 15 percent, and this has now increased to 45 percent. “The government has been doing a lot of talking about a new deal but not a lot of actually doing something; it has not done anything substantive on this new deal since October. It is time to get on with it. The concerns we have all had are now starting to come home.”
MP Belanger said he is currently trying to look at the best way to support the Interfor employees who will be losing their jobs in the short-term and having the mills reopened in the long-term. “There are over 200 employees that are going to be affected by both mills being closed. And it is not just the Interfor employees, it is the contractors and those that provide supplies to the mills that are going to be affected.”
