The Commonwealth Plywood mill in Rapides-des-Joachims will be closing for an indefinite period, starting in mid-December. Twenty-three workers will lose their job.
Pontiac Warden Jane Toller said the company contacted her about the closure and offered several contributing factors, including the unexpected reduction of their cutting allocation and other economic reasons. She said that they would be ceasing operations on December 19.
Rapides-des-Joachims Mayor Lucie Rivet Paquette said that they heard about the closure through the grapevine in the small island village of roughly 150 residents, and contacted a representative of the company to confirm the news. She said that the closure would have a big impact on the community.
CHIP 101.9 has contacted Commonwealth for comment on the situation, but they did not respond in time for publication.
