Uncertain future for Pontiac Forest Products Producers Board
Deborah Powell
Published in the Pontiac Journal on April 23, 2025.
SHAWVILLE – The Pontiac Forest Products Producers Board (PFPPB) held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, April 16, at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall in Shawville. Special guests included Gaétan Boudreault, president of the Quebec Federation of Forest Producers, and Director General Vincent Miville.
Vice-president Frank Doyle read the president’s report. Although wood sales increased by 7.5% compared to 2023, the outlook remains bleak. “Over the years, we’ve represented producers as best we could, but we continue to struggle in the private forestry market. Another year of inaction has left us with the same issues: a lack of operating mills and long distances to existing ones. The survival of the private wood industry is at serious risk. New producers are scarce, knowing it’s unwise to enter an industry struggling in this region, while other boards are thriving and even setting records.”
Pontiac Warden Jane Toller addressed the meeting, expressing hope for good news soon regarding a new owner for one of the region’s inactive mills. She committed to reviving the MRC’s Forestry Committee and invited the PFPPB and Groupement Forestier du Pontiac to participate. She also asked them to give a 30-minute presentation at the May Mayors’ Council plenary meeting.
Boudreault shared thoughts on future scenarios for private forests, followed by Miville, who outlined federation activities and the challenges facing the sector. One major concern is the threat of a recession sparked by a global trade war. “As long as demand stays strong in the U.S., tariffs will be passed on to consumers, but profits will fall for Canadian mills,” he said, warning that any drop in demand could be disastrous.
A key federation priority is promoting municipal participation in the property tax reduction program for registered private forest producers. A federation study showed this would result in only a 1% average decrease in municipal tax revenue while stimulating local economies. So far, 64 Quebec municipalities have signed on. Miville also encouraged participation in the new private woodlot owner survey and greater involvement in the provincial federation.
The federation aims to promote private forest development, increase producer income, foster cohesion, and serve as a credible voice for the sector.
PFPPB General Manager Cash Allard presented the Annual Activity Report and, after the auditor’s report, led a discussion on the board’s future. “Without a new mill or new investors, the board will shut down,” he said. To remain viable, the board needs 10 new producers and an additional 45,000 tonnes of product sold. Options include collaboration or a potential merger with another board—Gatineau being the nearest. A motion passed to develop a plan along those lines.
Elections were held for four of the eight PFPPB director seats. Brian Hahn remains the representative for Sector 2 (Bristol, Clarendon, Shawville); Lise Gravelle continues for Sector 4 (Leslie, Clapham, Huddersfield); Frank Doyle retains his position for Sector 6 (Campbell’s Bay, Fort-Coulonge, Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Waltham, Bryson, Upper Litchfield); and Gérin Malette remains in Sector 8 (Cayamant). The Sector 1 seat (Municipality of Pontiac) is now vacant following the resignation of Chuck Huckabone, who was also board president. The Sector 3 seat (Thorne, Aldfield, Alleyn-et-Cawood), vacant since last year’s AGM, was filled in January 2025 by David Early.
