For decades, the pulp and paper industry was the jewel in the crown of Canada’s economy. Today, with so many mills closing down, what future is there for the forestry communities that sprang up and prospered around them? Through lucid, inspired testimonials by former workers, this film delves into the industry’s glorious past and gauges the true impact of mill closings on local populations and on the way the forest is managed.
In Trois-Rivières, Quebec, countless businesses declared bankruptcy after the closure of the CIP plant, once the largest paper mill in the world. In the 1950s, the town of Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario, experienced the steepest population growth in Canada. Since the mill closed, the town has become a mere shadow of its former self, and many ex-factory workers now find themselves trapped, unable to sell their homes. In Miramichi, New Brunswick, the closed mill is still an open wound, especially given that major investments had sparked hope among its citizens.
These are the typical effects of mill closings, which have had a devastating impact on cities in eastern Canada over the past 15 years. Through lucid, inspired testimonials by former workers, filmmaker Simon Rodrigue paints a picture of a pulp and paper industry transformed by biased political decisions and corporate greed.
In addition to revealing the long-term economic impact of the mill closings on these three communities, the documentary also captures the stories of families torn apart by forced separation, the despair of those who worked in the industry all their lives, and the concern of those who witness the disastrous management of the forest land by the pulp and paper giants. When a mill shuts down, job losses are only the beginning: ultimately, it is our communities and shared legacy that crumble.
Researched, Written and Directed by
Simon Rodrigue
With the participation of Trois-Rivières
Nelson Poirier
Claude Morand
Gérard Germain
With the participation of Smooth Rock Falls
Jean-Louis Dubord
René Gravel
Ubald Mercier
Reg Lamy
Rodrigue Dubé
Paul Mainville
René Sicard
Léopold Alie
André Bernier
With the participation of Miramichi
Jean-Guy Comeau
Guy Comeau
Keith Comeau
Marc-André Villard
Picture Editing
Ariane Pétel-Despots
Camera
Helgi Piccinin
Moïse Marcoux-Chabot
Sound Recording
Simon Plouffe
Julien Fréchette
Sound Design
Olivier Calvert
Sound Editing
François Senneville
Original Music
David Boulanger
Musicians
David Boulanger
Simon Marion
Scale Model Building
Julie Picard
Technical Coordinator – Shooting Equipment
Steve Hallé
Digital Editing Technicians
Pierre Dupont
Isabelle Painchaud
Patrick Trahan
Subtitling
Zoé Major
Colleen Cooney
Graphic Design and Titles
Cynthia Ouellet
On-line Editing
Serge Verreault
Foley
Lise Wedlock
Re-recording
Jean Paul Vialard
Music Recording
Geoffrey Mitchell
Archives
NFB
CBC/Radio-Canada
Smooth Rock Falls Heritage Centre
Paul Mainville
Marketing Manager
Karine Sévigny
Marketing Assistant
Jolène Lessard
Administrator
Sia Koukoulas
Production Coordinators
Chinda Phommarinh
Isabelle Limoges
Administrative Assistant
Pascale Savoie-Brideau
Technical Coordinator
Mira Mailhot
Associate Producer
Mélanie Lasnier
Producers
Johanne Bergeron
Marie-Anne Raulet
Executive Producer
Colette Loumède
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada