Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper to discontinue newsprint mill operations, impacting 150 workers
The company says it's working closely with local unions and all levels of government to ensure affected employees have access to employment transition supports.
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper is discontinuing its newsprint mill operations due to a decline in demand.
The company made the announcement Thursday morning, saying 150 people will be affected by the closure.
'Essentially there will be 150 fewer employees in the mill,' Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper CEO Norm Bush told CBC News on Thursday. 'However, there will be a number of people whose jobs that will have been eliminated that will have bumping rights to other jobs in other locations in the mill.'
In a media release, Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper said North American demand for newsprint has fallen 40 per cent since the company was purchased by Atlas Holdings in 2022; there was an 18 per cent decline in North American newsprint demand in 2025 alone.
'The decline in the newsprint market is really the insurmountable factor that's leading to this decision,' Bush said, adding that another 'double-digit' decline is expected in 2026.
'That's the fundamental reason for exiting the business,' he said. 'The market is very soft and we're not able to cover our costs of production.'
'We see absolutely no potential for a resurgence in newsprint,' Bush said. 'Electronic substitution is carrying on unabated, and so we just see a a systemic decline in newsprint for the long term.'
The company says it's working closely with local unions and all levels of government to ensure affected employees have access to employment transition supports.
'This is bad news, but our primary focus right now is to provide those support services for our employees who are impacted by this decision,' Bush said. 'That's what we're going to be working on over the next couple of months.'
Company to operate as single-line Softwood Kraft mill
“This was a very difficult decision, and we know how deeply it affects our employees and their families. After more than 100 years of operating in the Thunder Bay community, we also understand that the impacts extend beyond the mill, affecting local businesses, Indigenous partners, and the broader region,' said Bush.
Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper will continue to operate as a single-line Softwood Kraft mill at its Neebing Avenue location in Thunder Bay and generate renewable energy for sale to the Ontario grid.
Courtesy: www.cbc.ca