{"id":77239,"date":"2025-09-29T21:52:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T01:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/?p=77239"},"modified":"2025-09-29T21:44:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T01:44:12","slug":"fonom-urges-immediate-action-to-keep-kap-paper-operating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/29\/fonom-urges-immediate-action-to-keep-kap-paper-operating\/","title":{"rendered":"FONOM Urges Immediate Action to Keep Kap Paper Operating"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is calling on both the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to take immediate, coordinated action following Kap Paper\u2019s announcement that it will begin an orderly idling of operations at its Kapuskasing facility.<\/p>\n

The decision to idle the mill, despite years of engagement with governments and partners, reflects the absence of near-term measures required to sustain the integrated forestry supply chain in Northeastern Ontario. The impacts of closure would ripple far beyond Kapuskasing, affecting families, workers, Indigenous partners, suppliers, and communities across the North.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a devastating moment for Northeastern Ontario,\u201d said Danny Whalen, President of FONOM. \u201cThe Kap Paper mill is an anchor for our region\u2019s economy. Without urgent and coordinated intervention from both levels of government, we risk losing hundreds of jobs, destabilizing communities, and undermining Ontario\u2019s forestry sector. We are urging the Prime Minister and Premier to come together today\u2014not weeks from now\u2014to deliver emergency support and keep Kap Paper operating.\u201d<\/p>\n

FONOM acknowledges the Province of Ontario\u2019s past support, including $50 million in loans that helped stabilize operations and protect 2,500 jobs. However, without immediate operational support to bridge the gap while federal measures come into place, Northeastern Ontario faces the collapse of a critical industry that contributes over $300 million annually to governments and suppliers, including $74 million directly to Ontario.<\/p>\n

The stakes are clear:<\/p>\n