While Chapleau Council held their final meeting of the term earlier this week, the mayor highlighted ongoing talks with a major local employer.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains Township representatives have met with RYAM multiple times since its parent company bought the Tembec sawmill, hoping to reach a deal addressing the effect its operations have on local infrastructure.
Mayor Levesque emphasizes that - as the mill is outside of town limits - there is no tax base for Chapleau to rely on, so the Township is seeking more of a "financial partnership".
The mayor also notes the Chapleau Fire Department's been discussing other concerns with RYAM.
Mayor Levesque further adds that he's expressed hope that RYAM's parent company, Rayonier Advanced Materials, would bring its scholarship programs and the Rayonier Foundation supporting non-profit organizations to Canada, and offer access locally.
While the ideas have been discussed, he says nothing's been confirmed, though he'll continue working on the file in the coming term of Council.