NEWS RELEASE
For
immediate release: June 19, 2002
Tolko Pursues Long Term Vision in The Pas
The Pas, Manitoba - Tolko Industries Ltd. is
now a fixture in the spirited community of The Pas and plans for
a long relationship with its neighbours.
In the five years since expanding from its British Columbia and
Alberta operations into Manitoba, Tolko has invested more than
$125 million in capital upgrades to its Kraft Papers and Solid
Wood Divisions. This has helped them provide more than 900 direct
and indirect employment opportunities to people from throughout
Northern Manitoba.
The Company pays over $9 million in municipal and provincial taxes
each year, funds that can help provide for education and health
care initiatives. Tolko also significantly contributes to the
area by supporting local charities, foundations and organizations.
Participation in the local Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival,
support for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation hockey team, food donations
to The Pas Friendship Centre Food Banks, and involvement with
the RCMP’s Drug Abuse Awareness Program are only a few of
the activities that the Company supports.
Tolko has formed alliances and partnerships with many First Nations
of Northern Manitoba, including the Mosakahiken Cree Nation (Moose
Lake), Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House), Chemawawin
Cree Nation (Easterville), Marcel Colomb Cree Nation and the Grand
Rapids First Nation. These often involve logging, sharing of forest
management knowledge, employee training, and collaborating on
planning. Contracts awarded to First Nation businesses for woodland
activities totaled more than $16.5 million in 2001.Tolko believes
the relationship that it maintains with its First Nations partners
is critical to the success of all parties.
The local sawmill primarily produces spruce, pine and fir lumber
for residential construction. While trade duties imposed by the
United States on Canadian softwood lumber are an added pressure,
the company is determined to pursue its long term vision for the
local sawmill operations. Tolko President and CEO Al Thorlakson
confirms, "…we have substantially capitalized all our
lumber manufacturing operations, and we are hopeful that with
optimum performance we will avoid any permanent closures."
With its employees’ efforts and a $70 million modernization
project, the sawmill is currently enjoying increased productivity
and efficiencies.
Mill tours are available at all of Tolko’s Divisions; just
call ahead to schedule the tour. More information on Tolko, its
history, and its products is available on their website at www.tolko.com
For
more information:
Blair Sullivan
Tolko Manitoba Woodlands Manager
Phone: 204-623-8541
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