Dear Editor,
The Pontiac Timber Producer Board is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, situated in Shawville, Que. We represent 3,650 private woodlot owners in the Pontiac. Our mission is the production and marketing of wood volumes harvested from Pontiac’s private forests, our potential is 130,000 cubic metres.
Prior to the closure of Smurfit Stone we delivered 84,000 cubic metres. Following the closure of Smurfit Stone we were still able to . . .
market 28,000 cubic metres. Our main customer between 2008 to 2019 was the Fortress Paper Mill in Thurso, Que. until they closed in 2019. Since their closure we have not found a market for hardwood at a reasonable price.
Since the closure of Smurfit, the MRC has invested time and money in the search for new projects by creating Fibre Pontiac, a non-profit organization to find investors and by hiring Pierre Vézina. The consultant found an important potential project through the creation of a biopark and the production of bioproducts.
With the efforts of Pierre Vézina and Fibre Pontiac, this project has been moving forward. Forespect has established a wood yard there. Recently the MRC decided not to renew the contract of Pierre Vézina, the forestry consultant working with Fibre Pontiac on the industrial park projects. A lot of work, effort and progress will now go down the drain.
Why is the MRC Pontiac not continuing to engage the services of Pierre Vézina? He is the pilot. He knows the forestry business. He has the expertise and skills. He has the contacts.
The project would be a huge benefit to the private woodlot owners by providing a market for their wood. Pontiac wood processed in the Pontiac.
A potential $100 million project. Are we willing to abandon this project now? Do we want to risk it going elsewhere in Quebec?
Come on Warden Toller! Come on Council of Mayors! Come on Pontiac! Together, let’s persevere, let’s knuckle down and make this project happen.
Claude Gravelle
President, Pontiac Timber Producers Board
