KENORA, Ont. – Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines Greg Rickford says he shares the frustrations and concerns of residents of Fort Frances over the terms of Resolute Forest Products’ sale of its long-shuttered mill in the Northwestern Ontario community.
Rickford said he met with company officials on Wednesday, where he expressed dismay at access to fibre in the Crossroad Forest moving forward, a licence retained by Resolute, adding he’s hopeful, as is mayor and council in Fort Frances, that the site will be used in whole or part by another entity.
The meeting left Rickford with encouragement.
“Resolute has indicated that they will continue to work with the government to determine a path forward. While the decision regarding the sale of the facility is a private matter between Resolute and Riversedge, I was encouraged by our conversation and their willingness to collaborate,” Rickford said in a lengthy statement issued late on Friday afternoon.
“I will continue to work with them, the minister of natural resources and forestry, and all partners on behalf of the Fort Frances community and surrounding region. Our goal is to ensure that the mill site can once again benefit the hardworking people of the region.”
Earlier this month Fort Frances Mayor June Caul accused both Resolute and the mill’s new owner, Riversedge Development, of having no plans to allow the facility to start up again.
Caul on Aug. 13 pointed to a number of covenants attached to the sale.
"These covenants include restrictions...that prohibit the sale to any entity that would manufacture various types of pulp or paper products, restrictions that require the sale of key mill assets for scrap, and restrictions that prohibit a new owner from engaging the provincial government to request access to a wood supply from the Crossroute Forest," Caul said.
Rickford, the Conservative MPP for Kenora, said he had a robust discussion with Resolute about the future of the forest licence in the Crossroute Forest, adding he emphasized the need for the company to communicate with the people of Fort Frances and Rainy River District on how the fibre in question is currently being used.
“They agreed to work with myself, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Town of Fort Frances, Indigenous communities and importantly, existing forestry operators, towards a community driven model for managing the forests that ultimately provides an opportunity for greater certainty for existing mills in the district including their own, and understand that we want to ensure the potential for new market entrants should that opportunity arise,” Rickford said.
The minister promised to meet with the minister of natural resources and forestry next week to discuss options to “facilitate a collaborative, modernization of the Enhanced Sustainable Forest Licence for the Crossroute Forest.”
Rickford added the province is set to proceed with an Ontario-wide forest strategy that will provide more access to fibre, one that is both sustainable and renewable, while at the same time supporting good-paying jobs and other social, environmental and economic benefits.
“We understand the significance of the forestry sector to the Kenora Rainy River District; it is an important economic driver in the province that generates more than $15 billion in revenues and supports 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in 260 communities across northern Ontario,” Rickford said.
“I remain focused on creating and sustaining economic development for the region, while growing good jobs and opportunity for those in Fort Frances and across Northwestern Ontario.”
In June 2017 the province forgave $23 million in funding provided for improvements at the mill, after initially telling Resolute officials repayment in full would be required if the site was to remain closed.
