Another Closure for Domtar in Maniwaki

Another Closure for Domtar in Maniwaki

The Maniwaki plant of paper and wood giant Domtar (Résolu Forest Products) will soon cease operations entirely. This marks the second closure for the facility. The company, which had partially resumed operations in the Haute-Gatineau region last spring after a previous several-month shutdown, has confirmed that the sawmill will be closed starting October 10.

The closure is necessary due to a challenging market and U.S. tariffs on lumber. Domtar will halt operations at its Maniwaki sawmill for an indefinite period, raising significant concerns among the mill’s workforce.

Daniel Lachapelle, a timber scaler with Domtar for 30 years, says he is also worried about the situation:

“Starting October 10, sawing will stop indefinitely. After that, the planer will continue for two shifts to finish processing the remaining lumber in the yard. Afterward, all operations, including transportation, will cease.”

The repercussions of this closure could soon be felt throughout the Pontiac region. Again, Daniel Lachapelle comments:

“Everyone will be affected—the small businesses in Maniwaki, as well as private timber producers.”

Since operations resumed earlier this year, only about sixty employees have been called back to work.