Ontario NDP launches forestry strategy, Room To Grow, to support the North and strengthen Ontario’s economy

QUEEN’S PARK – The NDP’s Shadow Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, MPP Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk-James Bay) is introducing a forestry strategy, aimed at growing the sector, protecting good-paying union jobs, and supporting sustainable resource development across Northern Ontario.

“I grew up in Dubreuilville, a community with deep roots in the forestry sector. Before transitioning into politics, I worked in the sector in Timmins, and I had the privilege of representing forestry workers across Northern Ontario as a Union president in Kapuskasing. I have seen firsthand what forestry has brought to our communities: good jobs, families rooted in their communities, and strong local economies. It is an immense honour to represent these communities at Queen’s Park. This strategy aims to restore the support that our industry and our workers deserve for everything they have helped build.” said MPP Bourgouin.

“This strategy builds on the recommendations of our union partners, industry leaders, and Northern communities. It recognizes the impacts of tariffs, as well as the structural challenges that have accumulated over decades. Through this collaboration, we can put forward concrete solutions to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for workers and communities that depend on the forestry industry.”

Building on the NDP’s long-standing commitment to a sustainable forest sector, this strategy proposes immediate measures that stabilize the sector in the short term and strengthen competitiveness in the long term. The strategy also calls for better coordination, greater long-term certainty, and increased support for investments that protect jobs and sustain communities.

The Ontario NDP will be taking this forestry strategy on tour across Northern Ontario, including in Terrace Bay, Nickel Belt, and the Hearst-Kapuskasing region, and Kenora – to continue hearing directly from workers, municipalities, Indigenous communities and industry stakeholders. The Ontario NDP encourages interested groups to connect to take part in public consultation or to organize additional meetings in other regions.

Read the Full Strategy here: RoomToGrow.ca

Additional Quotes

"Ontario's forest industry supports 154,500 jobs across the province and contributes $5.2 billion to the GDP - providing livelihoods and opportunities for Ontario workers, families, and communities. The forest sector is also one of the most energy-intensive and trade-impacted sectors in the Canadian economy. Through the use of forest biomass, solid wood, pulp, and other advanced bio-products, the OFIA sees massive growth potential in Ontario. We appreciate the Ontario NDP’s focus on the forestry industry with the release of their new strategy. Realizing this growth requires a predictable wood supply, competitive energy rates, expansion of forest biomass energy, and public forest road infrastructure.”

Ian Dunn
CEO, Ontario Forest Industries Association

“Forestry workers have helped build strong communities and local economies across Northern Ontario for generations. At a time of economic uncertainty and growing pressures on the sector, workers need leadership that protects good union jobs, strengthens domestic manufacturing, and defends Ontario forestry from policies and decisions that threaten livelihoods. The United Steelworkers support efforts that create long-term stability for workers, invest in forestry communities, and ensure workers have a voice in shaping the industry's future. Defending forestry jobs means defending families, communities, and the economic future of Northern Ontario.”

Kevon Stewart
Ontario Director, United Steelworkers

"The measures outlined in the ONDP forestry strategy – supporting employers impacted by the trade war, increasing domestic demand, supercharging government procurement, promoting modular home building, embracing innovative new products and biomass energy opportunities, seeking new markets – will create stability and a sustainable path forward, and with that stability will come private sector investment. Critically, this strategy recognizes that the sector needs more coordination from all levels of government, as well as forestry businesses, workers and their unions, forestry communities, and Indigenous communities."

Samia Hashi
Ontario Regional Director, Unifor

“United Steelworkers Local 1-2010 is a proud local Union representing workers throughout northern Ontario, with a large majority of its members working in the forestry sectors (like sawmills, plywood plants, woodlands operations), and some forestry related workplaces. The forestry jobs have been supporting our small communities for many years, but now we believe that it has to adapt and modernize, with value added manufacturing, co-Gens, 2nd and 3rd transformations, and higher-margin products. The Ontario government has been missing in action so far as to being in support of a forest industry which is in need right now in facing devastating tariffs imposed by the US government. The Ontario NDP Forest Strategy Plan addresses the issues now, and for the future. It proposes to take action now, defend Ontario’s jobs, addresses the supply chain, and most importantly, this plan is proposing a sustainable forest plan. The United Steelworkers Local 1-2010 endorses and support this plan, as it’s proposing actions that are very important to the workers now, and for the continuation and prosperity of our Forest Industry.”

Jacques Jean
President, United Steelworkers Local 1-2010

“Local 89 supports the work and vision of MPP Bourgouin and his office whole heartedly when it comes to saving the forestry industry in Ontario. Our communities in the north are directly tied to forestry jobs, and it is important for the south of Ontario to understand just how harshly they will be affected indirectly if we lose this industry. Keeping jobs in Ontario is critical. Ensuring the Ontario homes project uses Ontario lumber and materials will not only keep the jobs we have but create the need to build new production opportunities in these communities such as MDF, OSB etc.”

Alex Dumais
President, Unifor Local 89

“At Mattice-Val Côté, we see every day just how essential the forestry sector is to our economic and social vitality. As this strategy highlights, forestry supports thousands of jobs and remains a cornerstone of regional development in Northern Ontario. It not only helps provide for our families but also helps build resilient communities committed to the sustainable management of our resources for future generations.”

Marc Dupuis
Mayor of Mattice-Val Côté

“I have only lived in the Northeast for 8 years. Our mill in Smooth Rock Falls closed in 2006 and was devastating to the town and economy. I know how important Forestry is to the region. So many mills have closed in the North. The government should take a more proactive approach in the remaining mills to see if they can be helped or diversified into making other Products to make the mill viable, and this strategy addresses that.”

Patrick Roberts
Mayor of Smooth Rock Falls

“The forest industry is at the heart of Northern Ontario’s economy and identity. The Ontario NDP Forestry Strategy recognizes the urgent need to protect jobs, strengthen local and regional supply chains, and ensure a sustainable future for the forestry sector and the communities that depend on it.”

Roger Sigouin
Mayor of Hearst