Duane Hicks
While the future of the pulp and paper mill in Fort Frances remains uncertain for everyone, Mayor Roy Avis said the current situation needs to end in “the not-so-distant future” either with the sale of the mill or a teardown.
“I know that everyone in Fort Frances is wondering about the status of the mill,” Mayor Avis said during a frank address at Monday night’s council meeting.
“The uncertainty that the community feels is felt here by all of the employees and also the town council and myself, the mayor,” he noted.
“It impacts the decisions we make daily, from wondering what to do with the banners on the bridge–the banners that are all faded–to long-term financial planning,” he added.
“We, too, wish we had a firm and concrete understanding of what will happen.”
The mayor shared what he and council know about the status of the mill at this time, including:
•the mill still is designated as an active pulp and paper mill, meaning it can be sold to a new owner without starting from scratch with a new environmental assessment (this makes it a very valuable asset);
•to maintain this “active” status, Resolute is monitoring the property as per provincial and federal regulations (maintaining these certificates is expensive, costing the company $1 million a year);
•Resolute continues to pay the town $500,000 a year in property taxes, meaning it still is the largest taxpayer in Fort Frances even though the mill as not been operational for some four years;
•mayor and council are aware of the efforts Resolute has made to sell the mill, and have had confirmation of serious negotiations as recently as this year (the mayor personally knows of four different parties that have expressed “keen interest” in the property); and
•the town remains diligent in its monitoring of wood rights locally, and has provided notice that when the wood rights are renewed through the new, enhanced Sustainability Forest Licence (eSFL) in 2020, the town will be at the table making sure the fibre from area forests is utilized in providing jobs in this community.
There’s also the possibility that Resolute will not find a new buyer for the mill.
“If Resolute is unable to sell the mill, they’ll be required by law to remediate the properties,” Mayor Avis said.
He added the company has “large amounts of money” placed in a trust bond with the provincial government, which they would default on if they failed to clean up the property.
Mayor Avis reiterated he fully understands the frustrations that everyone is feeling right now as a result of the uncertainties.
“It is a challenge but know that we will do everything we can to create a successful economic future for our community,” he pledged.
“Whether the future is with a new tenant in the mill or a re-envisioned Fort Frances, with new properties and opportunities that will result in the end of the paper mill era and the beginning of the mining era.”
