A paper mill in Témiscaming, Quebec, has been idle since early October, when its American owner, RYAM, began an "economic shutdown" of the mill for "an indefinite period." The mill employs 360 people, and most are out of work, receiving partial pay from government tariff relief. The source ties the shutdown to trade talks that broke down between Canada and the US and to new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Property values in the town have fallen, and "For Sale" signs are visible in many yards, according to the report. Residents fear that essential services, including grocery stores and the local hospital, could also be affected. Ronnie Raymond, a resident from a family of mill workers, said, "If the mill goes down, it'll turn into a ghost town."
Workers want to buy the mill back from RYAM, as local workers and managers did in 1973. Union leader Stéphane Lefebvre said they need significant help from Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Quebec government, either through tariff relief or financial support. In an email to the BBC, RYAM declined to comment on a potential sale or any prospective buyers.
Mayor Alain Gauthier said he does not blame RYAM for its decision. He called US tariffs "a bomb to shut down our manufacturing in Canada" and wants Ottawa to impose its own duties on American board products, which currently enter Canada tariff-free.
Liberal-government support is still contested. Sébastien Lemire, the Bloc Québécois MP for Témiscaming, said he is "very concerned and worried" about what he called inaction from the Carney government. A spokesperson for Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the government has made $400 million available to support the forestry sector in rural and remote areas, and has launched a program to help tariff-affected businesses access cash flow.