THUNDER BAY – ANALYSIS – Throughout most of the 20th century, Northwestern Ontario didn’t just read news on paper-it produced the very paper that news was printed on.
From Thunder Bay’s shores by Lake Superior to the Rainy River at Fort Frances, from Kenora near Lake of the Woods to Dryden along the Wabigoon system, the pulp and paper industry played a crucial role in supporting local economies, attracting rail and hydro investments, and influencing everything from work schedules to youth hockey sponsorships.
However, the same change that transformed journalism-digital distribution-also altered the demand for newsprint. This shift led to mill closures, consolidations, or changes in focus toward producing pulp for tissue, packaging, and other goods.
This winter brings another development: Thunder Bay Pulp & Paper has announced it will stop its newsprint operations in Q1 2026 due to significant drops in demand while continuing with softwood kraft pulp production.
Consequently when facing demolition activities required overnight stoppage along international border crossings during work carried out effectively ending those longstanding infrastructures established across years since then.
The origins of paper mills in this region
Northwestern Ontario provided early papermakers with three essential elements: Fibre supply: The boreal forests (especially spruce which was favored for newsprint) alongside accessible timber resources. Water and power: Rivers supplied process water and were vital for hydroelectric energy production. Transportation: Railways and ports enabled access to major North American publishing centers. On a national scale, newsprint wasn’t merely a specialized product-it was a key export. A case study by Rotman/University of Toronto highlights that newsprint exports rose from about 5% of Canada’s total exports in 1920 to 16% by 1939. For many years thereafter, it remained Canada’s top export commodity. That “golden age” left its mark on town maps throughout Northwestern Ontario.Thunder Bay: an old landmark makes another change
Thunder Bay’s current identity as a pulp-and-paper hub stems from early industrial developments at Fort William/Port Arthur. The Great Lakes Paper legacy dates back to the 1920s and later corporate shifts that ultimately led into today’s mill operation. In August 2023, Atlas Holdings’ affiliate Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper finalized its purchase of mill operations from Resolute FP Canada. This positioned the site as a multi-grade producer (including pulp, paper, newsprint). Now market realities are driving yet another adjustment. In a release dated Jan. 22, 2026, TBPP announced plans to halt newsprint production in Q1 2026 due to decreasing demand alongside rising operational costs. This decision could impact around 150 jobs directly-while continuing as a single-line softwood kraft mill that generates renewable energy for the grid. The release highlights how quickly things have changed: claiming North American demand for newsprint dropped by 40% since 2022-including an 18% decline just last year alone. For Thunder Bay itself this reflects broader trends-a mill still serves as an anchor but not for the same type of paper that once supported newspapers nationwide.Fort Frances: fueled by falls and defined by paper over decades
If any Northwestern Ontario town illustrates the “hydro + fibre + rail” formulais found here.
Library and Archives Canada’s local history pages capture civic stakes from early 1910s: the “first sod” ceremony marking construction for their large mill is noted as pivotal since it ensured that power development benefitted Canada while establishing a market for settlers’ pulpwood.
“The Town of Fort Frances’ heritage tour includes these key dates:
The Town of Fort Frances’ heritage tour includes these key dates:
- Production began at the mill in 1914
- A kraft facility was built in 1971
- The plant closed down shortly before celebrating its centennial in 2014
Consequently when facing demolition activities required overnight stoppage along international border crossings during work carried out effectively ending those longstanding infrastructures established across years since then.
This is highlighted further through recent reports showing industry-wide demolitions surrounding former mills involved substantial work needing closures impacting travelers significantly surrounding places like Fort Frances International Falls district causing notable disruptions locally because they took time rebuilding infrastructure impacted too much afterward resulting overall difficulties observed continually afterward leading up towards potential resolutions after efforts made moving forward again recovering ground lost previously since times past affecting lives connected throughout affected communities historically shaped under various changing circumstances throughout all eras transitioning behind environmental considerations preserved ongoing community dialogues making progress continually sought wherever feasible moving ahead despite challenges faced externally requiring engagement being fostered where necessary building sustainable frameworks serving everyone responsibly equitably together adapting accordingly learning lessons found within what went wrong before ensuring future paths lead towards prosperity enduring lasting improvements benefiting generations upon generations after now living amid rich heritages tracing back earlier histories always remembered above all else without forgetting lessons learned previously taken seriously striving forever onward striving towards achieving greater heights together uniting communities forging bonds growing stronger each day learning together fostering respect across different cultures sharing knowledge experiences alike working hand-in-hand harmoniously creating better realities designed collaboratively empowering one another uplift uplift striving continuously keeping vision alive looking bright shining forward hope emerging beautifully even midst challenges encountered regularly experienced day-in-day out navigating terrains shifting gradually building solid foundations based camaraderie fellowship prevailing spirit illuminating opportunities awaiting exploration journeying ever closer finally reaching destinations envisioned so dearly true manifesting inspiring stories unfold….
- No changes necessary..
