RYAM, a paperboard manufacturer, is closing its Témiscaming, Quebec facility on 15 September, affecting 425 workers. The company cited unsustainable business conditions caused by US tariffs on Canadian goods. A company spokesperson said the magnitude of the tariffs made operations economically unviable despite adaptation efforts. Témiscaming mayor Alain Gauthier called the tariffs a "nuclear bomb" for sectors relying on US markets. Trade tensions escalated after the Trump administration imposed tariffs of up to 50% on $27.6 billion worth of Canadian goods on 22 August, adding to existing duties on steel, aluminium, and automobiles. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended negotiations and announced dollar-for-dollar retaliatory measures.

RYAM announces indefinite closure of Témiscaming, QC, complex. Posted on August 27, 2026 Original Source: Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) informed employees that it intends to indefinitely close its Témiscaming, Quebec, industrial complex on September 15, affecting approximately 450 unionized workers, The North Bay Nugget reported (8-27-26). RYAM attributed the decision to US tariffs imposed on Canadian goods, saying the resulting business environment had made continued operations at the site economically unsustainable. RYAM spokesperson Alexandre Boucher told The Nugget Thursday that the shutdown will affect all site operations except the wastewater treatment plant and Boiler No. 4, which will continue operating. The duration of the shutdown remains undetermined. Boucher said RYAM could reconsider the closure if the tariff situation changes. Boucher said: "This decision is the result of a business environment that has become unsustainable, making continued operations simply no longer economically viable. Despite all the efforts we have made to adapt to this new reality, the magnitude of the tariffs, no longer allows us to operate the site under sustainable conditions." "We fully recognize the impact this decision will have on our employees, their families and the entire Témiscaming community, a single-industry region. We are committed to keeping them informed as the situation evolves and of the efforts we continue to pursue to create the conditions necessary for operations to resume." FEA compiles the Wood Markets News from various 3rd party sources to provide readers with the latest news impacting forest product markets. Opinions or views expressed in these articles do not necessarily represent those of FEA.

FONOM expresses concern following ryams' temporary closure notice. The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is expressing concern following Rayonier Advanced Materials' (RYAM) announcement that it intends to temporarily shut down its industrial complex in Témiscaming, Quebec, on September 15. The shutdown is expected to affect about 400 unionized workers, many with specialized skills and extensive experience in the forestry sector, as well as managers, contractors, suppliers, and other businesses that depend on the facility. A prolonged shutdown could result in the loss of this skilled workforce and have lasting consequences for the forestry industry throughout the region. Although Témiscaming is located in Quebec, the community and the RYAM facility have strong economic connections to Northeastern Ontario. The effects of a major industrial shutdown do not stop at a provincial boundary, particularly when specialized workers, suppliers and forestry operations are connected across the region. "FONOM is deeply concerned for the workers facing uncertainty, their families and the entire community of Témiscaming," said FONOM President David Plourde. "These are highly skilled workers whose knowledge and experience are important to the forestry industry. We are also thinking about the contractors, suppliers, transportation companies and businesses throughout the region, including those in Ontario, that depend on this facility. A prolonged shutdown could have lasting consequences for the region's forestry sector." RYAM has stated that the business environment surrounding the facility has become unsustainable. The company cited the magnitude of U.S. tariffs, together with long-standing challenges facing the pulp and paper sector, as reasons continued operations are no longer economically viable. "This announcement demonstrates the real consequences of unfair U.S. tariffs," Plourde said. "Tariffs do not only affect corporate balance sheets. They affect workers, families, local businesses and the long-term future of forestry-dependent communities." FONOM recognizes that the forestry sector was already facing significant market pressures before the latest tariff measures. The combination of tariffs, changing markets, operating costs and ongoing uncertainty is placing additional pressure on facilities and communities across Northern Ontario and neighbouring regions. FONOM is encouraging the governments of Canada and Quebec to work urgently with RYAM, Unifor, the Town of Témiscaming and regional partners to identify solutions that could allow operations to resume. Federal programs, including regional economic development and tariff-related business and worker supports, will be important to the response. FONOM also encourages the governments of Canada and Ontario to ensure programs delivered through FedNor, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and other agencies are available to assist affected suppliers, businesses and communities on the Ontario side of the border. "There are many programs offered by both governments, but they must be coordinated, accessible and delivered quickly," Plourde said. "The priority must be supporting affected workers and businesses while doing everything possible to prevent a temporary shutdown from becoming permanent." FONOM continues to support a strong Team Canada response to U.S. tariffs, including assistance for affected industries, expanded domestic supply chains, new international markets and procurement policies that give priority to Canadian workers, resources and manufactured products. "The forestry industry remains essential to Northern communities and to the Canadian economy," Plourde concluded. "Governments, industry, labour and communities must work together to protect these jobs and preserve the future of this facility." This is a media release by the organization. If you would like to send Wawa-news.com a media release to be published, send it to Brenda Stockton, Editor/Publisher, [email protected]