MAYOR'S MESSAGE | OUR VOICE IS BEING HEARD. LET'S KEEP IT GOING.
Since the announcement concerning RYAM, I have been determined to make sure the voice of Temiscaming is heard.
Yesterday, I gave several interviews to local, regional and national media outlets, including two radio programs in the Greater Montreal area. I had the opportunity to speak with Mario Dumont, as well as Nathalie Normandeau and Luc Ferrandez-a discussion I particularly appreciated.
In each of these interviews, I speak about the workers, families and businesses affected by the situation, but I also make a point of highlighting the tremendous industrial potential of the RYAM site in Temiscaming.
And that potential extends far beyond the site itself.
The Temiscamingue region has exceptional strengths when it comes to the forest industry.
Within a radius of approximately 80 kilometres, our region has the potential to bring together three pulp mills, a softwood sawmill and a hardwood glued-laminated timber beam plant, creating significant opportunities for synergy, particularly when it comes to fibre supply.
We also have a regional reality that allows us to move forward: no woodland caribou-related issues preventing development, no blockades, and a long-standing collaboration with First Nations to ensure the effective and sustainable management of our forest resources. In fact, we are not even harvesting the full volumes currently available to us.
All of this must be part of the conversation about our future.
Given the challenges currently facing Quebec's forest industry, Temiscamingue should be THE region where governments choose to support the development, transformation and diversification of our industry.
That is the message I want to deliver.
These interviews are helping bring our reality to audiences well beyond our region, but the work does not stop when the microphones are turned off. Political efforts and discussions with our partners are continuing.
Our voice is being heard. Let's keep making it heard.
Because Temiscamingue does not simply have an industry to defend.
We have potential to develop.
Alain Gauthier
Mayor of Temiscaming
