Benjamin Segobaetso – Local Journalism Initiative
Published online October 7, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
PONTIAC – As workers and forestry businesses brace for another shutdown at Louisiana-Pacific’s (LP) Bois-Franc plant, near Maniwaki, Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi MP Sophie Chatel is leaving the federal agriculture portfolio for new responsibilities in Veterans Affairs and National Defence.
Chatel was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence on September 25, stepping away from her position as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The timing puts Chatel in an awkward position: taking on a new national portfolio while one of the major resource industries in her largely rural riding faces renewed uncertainty.
The Bois-Franc building materials manufacturing plant is preparing for a two-month shutdown from October 12 to December 14, affecting approximately 58 operations workers, some from the Pontiac, as well as wood producers and businesses connected to the forestry supply chain. The plant primarily manufactures oriented strand board (OSB) panels, a structural building material.
Continued support for forestry and agriculture?
Asked by the Journal whether leaving agriculture could weaken Pontiac–Kitigan Zibi’s voice on rural economic issues, Chatel pushed back against that suggestion. She said she
will “never stop being a strong voice” for the riding’s agriculture and forestry sectors, arguing that her advocacy is tied to her role as MP rather than her parliamentary secretary assignment.
Chatel said she was an agri-food advocate before receiving the agriculture appointment and pointed to her continued membership in the Liberal rural caucus, which she said includes about 40 MPs advocating for rural development.
Chatel said she has already worked with the company on measures intended to protect employment. She told the Journal that LP previously participated in a Service Canada Work-Sharing agreement, allowing employees to work reduced hours while Employment Insurance benefits compensate for part of their lost wages.
She has encouraged affected employers and workers in her constituency to explore Service Canada programs during periods of reduced activity.
Services for veterans
Chatel told the Journal that shortcomings in services for rural and Indigenous
veterans will be among the issues she now wants to address. She also identified improving services for women veterans as a priority.
Another concern, she said, is the growing number of younger veterans leaving the Canadian Armed Forces with decades of potential civilian employment ahead of them. Chatel said those veterans need better opportunities for retraining and assistance translating military experience into civilian qualifications and careers.
Daniel Gobeil, MP for Chicoutimi–Le Fjord, succeeds Chatel as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “I wish Daniel Gobeil all the best as he takes on these new responsibilities,” Chatel said. “His experience on the ground and his deep understanding of the agricultural sector will be valuable assets.”
With LP preparing to shut down production temporarily and businesses across
the forestry supply chain facing uncertainty, Chatel’s promise to remain a strong
advocate for rural Pontiac will now be tested outside the agriculture portfolio.
