RYAM's Témiscaming Complex to Temporarily Shut Down, Affecting About 400 Workers

Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) plans to temporarily shut down its industrial complex in Témiscaming, Quebec, on Sept. 15 for an indefinite period, a move expected to affect approximately 400 unionized workers.

All site activities will be affected except the wastewater treatment plant and boiler 4. Managers and related employees, as well as contractors, suppliers and other businesses connected to the facility, are also expected to be affected.

RYAM said the business environment surrounding the facility had become unsustainable, citing the magnitude of U.S. tariffs and long-standing challenges facing the pulp and paper sector as factors making continued operations economically unviable.

Daniel Cloutier, Quebec director of the Unifor union, said workers were being asked to absorb the economic consequences of a trade war they did not start or control. The union is calling for stronger industrial policies and income security measures.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities expressed concern that a prolonged shutdown could lead to the loss of a skilled workforce and have wider consequences for the regional forestry industry.

“These are highly skilled workers whose knowledge and experience are important to the forestry industry,” FONOM President David Plourde said, adding that contractors, suppliers, transportation companies and businesses in Quebec and Ontario depend on the facility.

Témiscaming, with a population of about 2,400, has strong economic connections to North Bay and northeastern Ontario. FONOM is urging the governments of Canada and Quebec to work with RYAM, Unifor, the Town of Témiscaming and regional partners to identify measures that could support affected workers and businesses and help prevent the temporary shutdown from becoming permanent.