Smooth Rock Falls rallies to save mill site

As demolition continues at the Tembec mill site in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario, the residents of the community decided to express their anger and frustration yesterday by blocking the entrance to the site.

More than 100 residents were up at the crack of dawn to stop workers from entering the site. They were hoping to send a strong message to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.

Just last week a public meeting was held in the community, where residents learned a plan to bring a new business into the community was shoot down because the province wouldn't approve a fibre allocation.

"We're getting tired of the run-around," said Rick Isaacson, a resident of Smooth Rock and an organizer of yesterday's protest. "We got word from the ministry they don't have the authority to re-allocate the timber and that's a total farce.

"We all know it, it was said it the house by (MNR minister Donna) Cansfield."

Read more:

Razing roadblock - Smooth Rock residents hope to save mill site (The Daily Press)