Tolko Rejects Final Offers to Keep The Pas Paper Mill Open

 

According to a report late this past week by The National Post (Toronto, Ont., Canada), a last-ditch offer to save hundreds of jobs in The Pas, Manitoba, Canada, has failed, at least for now.

Earlier this month, Mayor Jim Scott offered to exempt Tolko Industries from business, property, and education taxes for three years if the company would delay the planned closure of the town’s paper mill (as reported by this past week's edition of OTW). That would have saved the company roughly $2.5 million.

It was then reported that Scott spoke to company officials this past Thursday morning (September 8) and said they don’t seem willing to budge on their decision to close the paper mill on December 2.

On an optimistic note for paper workers who would like to avoid the hassle of re-location or working in a new sector, Scott said the company did ask at that time if they could forward the offer on to potential buyers for the mill. The mayor said he’s still hopeful they can find a solution, and hopefully new ownership for the mill.

"I think I need to be optimistic," he said. "It’s important we don’t just turn our backs on everything and say ‘oh well we tried.’ There’s lots more we can do."

Mayor Scott said a consultant is working with them on potential options during the next few weeks. More than 300 people will be out of a job as the mill will now certainly close before what is now looking like a remote chance to re-open rather than maintain operation. Tolko has said the mill is simply no longer financially viable.