FORT FRANCES -- It appears the closed pulp mill that has attracted attention from across the province has had its lease on life extended throughout the winter.
Unifor released a statement late Saturday afternoon that said Resolute Forest Products, which owns the shuttered mill, had reached an agreement with the province to heat the facility over the winter to protect the equipment inside.
The mill had been the subject of debate in the legislature at Queen’s Park, with the opposition parties slamming the governing Liberals after it was revealed a potential sale fell through.
Pressure was applied to Minister of Natural Resources Bill Mauro, urging him and the Ontario government to make sure the facility could be heated to keep any hopes of a prospective sale alive.
The mill has been closed for more than a year with the company saying it had spent $17.5 million to keep the facility heated and lit.
The Fort Frances Fire Department had issued a fire code violation notice against the company earlier this month due to their decision to not heat the facility.
