Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper will shut down its newsprint mill in the first quarter of 2026, eliminating up to 150 jobs as the company shifts focus to softwood kraft pulp production.
The company filed notices with the Ontario Ministry of Labour on Jan. 22, citing a 40 per cent decline in North American newsprint demand since Atlas Holdings purchased the operation in 2022.
“Demand for newsprint in North America declined 18 per cent in 2025 alone,” said Norm Bush, CEO of Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper. “Demand decline is the most insurmountable factor in the decision to cease newsprint production in Thunder Bay.”
The closure ends more than a century of newsprint production at the Thunder Bay facility.
Support for affected workers
The company is working with local unions and government agencies to provide employment transition supports, retraining programs and other resources to affected employees, according to the announcement.
Rising input costs combined with declining demand made the newsprint operation unsustainable, the company said.
Continued pulp operations
Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper will continue operating its softwood kraft pulp mill and selling renewable energy to the electrical grid. The company said it supports up to 7,000 jobs across Northwestern Ontario when sawmills and supply chain partners are included.
The newsprint paper machine will be shut down in a condition that allows for possible future conversion to other uses.
Bush said the company plans to work with federal and provincial governments on new investments in the softwood kraft pulp mill. The company acknowledged support from Premier Doug Ford’s government.
“As a company, we are not going anywhere,” Bush said. “We are the anchor mill here in Northwestern Ontario, and we will continue to be.”
