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Forestry workers from across Northern Ontario gathered in Dryden, Ontario to discuss opportunities for the sector, challenges in their workplaces, hear from legal and pension experts, and from Unifor leadership on how the union is fighting for forestry jobs.
Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi and Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier opened the meeting with a review of the work the union is doing to push all levels of government for an industrial strategy for forestry, and to advocate using Canadian lumber and lumber products to help build us out of the housing crisis.
“Unifor has been front and centre in Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs—demanding that governments defend working people and hold corporations accountable,” said Hashi. “Forestry needs to be at the heart of Canada’s industrial strategy. And that strategy must be bold, forward-looking, and rooted in justice for workers.”
Hashi thanked members for sharing their concerns about what is happening in mills across Ontario and for their participation in the Unifor Forestry Council and Ontario Regional Council.
That afternoon saw Hashi, Ontario Regional Council Chair Shinade Allder, Forestry Council Chair Stéphane Lefebvre, staff and members tour the Dryden Fibre Canada mill where Unifor Local 324, the hosts of the Primary Forestry Council, work.
See photos of Samia Hashi and members touring the Dryden mill.
Cloutier spoke of the situation in Quebec’s forestry sector that, in many ways, mirrors what is happening in forestry communities across the country.
“Across the country, forestry communities are sounding the alarm. What workers are asking for isn’t the moon—it’s a serious industrial strategy that prioritizes our local resources, protects our jobs, and makes forestry a driver of sustainable development. It’s high time governments listen and act,” said Cloutier.
The meeting, held June 9 to 12, included in-depth presentations on pension options, an overview of the sector from the union’s Research Department, information on handling grievances from a labour lawyer, and provided social time for members of different locals to get to know each other, and share common issues and best practices.
“We built stronger connections between forestry workers in Ontario this week and are continuing the Forestry Council’s mission to fight for forestry jobs across the country with workers supporting workers,” said Lefebvre.
See photos from the Ontario Primary Forestry Council meeting on Facebook.
Learn more about Unifor’s advocacy to Fight for Forestry Jobs here.
