The community of Ear Falls, Ontario, rallied in October to save forestry jobs after Interfor indefinitely shut down its sawmill—the region’s largest employer.
Unifor members gathered at the municipal government building to demand immediate government action to reopen the facility.
“One quarter of the population of this town works at this sawmill,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director, underscoring the mill’s critical role in the local economy. Workers and union representatives marched outside government offices carrying red Unifor flags to highlight the urgency of the situation.
Trade tensions weigh on Ontario forestry
Interfor’s decision to curtail operations without a clear reopening timeline has deepened uncertainty in the community. The closure reflects broader pressures facing Ontario’s forestry sector, including the ongoing softwood lumber trade dispute with the United States.
Katrina Peterson, President of Unifor Local 324, emphasized that forestry operations are tightly connected along the value chain. “The biggest challenge for forestry operations remains this ongoing trade war with the U.S. We need a stable trade agreement for forestry immediately,” she said.
Calls for stronger policy support
While the Ontario government has provided funding for some mills in recent months, Unifor argues that piecemeal support is insufficient to protect the industry. The union is urging a coordinated national strategy to address the long-term effects of tariffs, high costs, and market volatility.
The closure of the Interfor Ear Falls sawmill threatens not only hundreds of jobs but also the economic resilience of northern Ontario communities that depend on forestry. Unifor says it will continue to advocate for workers and press all levels of government to prioritize securing the future of Canada’s forestry sector.
Unifor is Canada’s largest private-sector union, representing more than 315,000 workers across key industries including forestry, energy, manufacturing, media, and transportation.
Source: Unifor
