Business View Civil & Municipal l November 2022

160 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 AT A GLANCE KAPUSKASING, ON WHAT: Small rural mill town WHERE: Ontario, Canada WEBSITE: https://www.kapuskasing.ca/ K apuskasing is a small town situated in the pristine wilderness of Ontario on the majestic river from which it gets its name. The town is located on the Trans Canada Highway and is midway between Thunder Bay and Ottawa. This central location means it is self-sufficient, and residents can easily access rail and air transportation options. At the last census, the population was 8,057 people. Kapuskasing offers easy access to a beautiful lifestyle where visitors and locals can access a plethora of activities, including fishing, hunting, and skiing. “During COVID, we saw loads of people move from Southern Ontario, as employment stability wasn’t guaranteed. So, many took advantage and moved to our town to improve their lifestyle and enjoy their lives. Also, remote work has become a great option,” says Paul Nadeau, Energy and Economic Development Officer at the Town of Kapuskasing. With the infrastructure in place, Kapuskasing has become not just a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city but an economic hotspot. One of the local companies, Green First Forest Products, produces paper from sawmill chips and residuals. The forests their timber is sourced from are managed and are FSC certified. Green First Forest Products ensures the entire tree is used - including the bark. “For our business, the location is perfect. We’re close to the forest and resources. Also, with rail access, we’re able to ship our paper easily,” says Pascual Champoux, Manager of Green First Forest Products. The paper is distributed mainly to the USA and some countries in Europe. Currently, the plant employs locals and upskills them to utilize the machinery. The latest machine training program created 45 new full-time jobs. Locals filled these roles quickly in a collaborative effort with local recruiters and by A n o u t d o o r l i f e s t y l e a n d c i t y o n t h e r i s e