'We're all very worried right now': Espanola council 'reassures' town facing paper mill shutdown
CBC
Meeting for the first time since learning the northern Ontario town's main employer is about to shutdown, Espanola council promised Tuesday night to work toward a "strong future" that could still include a pulp and paper mill.
Domtar announced last week that starting next month it is indefinitely idling its decades-old plant on the Spanish River, putting 450 jobs in jeopardy.
"We're all very worried right now. We're all scared. There's a lot of uncertainty," said Espanola town councillor Aidan Kallioinen.
"I like that as council we're able to provide some degree of reassurance that through what we can do, we'll be with folks every step through this process and we'll be able to help the workers and their families."
Mayor Doug Gervais told council that in the few days since the announcement, the town has been contacted by "many employers" and plans are underway to hold a job fair in Espanola and he said Domtar is also making "similar efforts"
"This news is fresh for many of us. And there is limited information. As we all learn more, the town will be implementing a strategy with all organizations and levels of government," he told council.
"Our primary goals are to ensure that supports are there for the workers and to ensure a strong future for Espanola."
Gervais was clear that future could still include a pulp and paper mill, noting that the plant, which has been for sale for about a year now, is "very well situated" with a hydro dam and railroad access and has "proven to be a viable operation in the past."
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.