Owen Sound Cannot Afford to Lose Another Major Employer

Before We Accept This Loss, We Need Answers

For a city already struggling with economic stagnation and the loss of major employers, this is a devastating prospect. But before we simply accept this decision as inevitable, some very serious questions must be answered.

Equally important, was there meaningful communication between the company and City Hall before the closure decision was made? Did the City Manager, Mayor or Council explore options to retain the operation?

If discussions took place, what alternatives were considered? If they did not, why not?

Business Retention Must Become a Priority

Business retention must be a priority for any municipality serious about its economic future. Maintaining regular contact with major employers, understanding their challenges and working proactively to address them should be fundamental responsibilities of municipal leadership. These are not activities to begin only after a closure announcement.

We must also ask what other jurisdictions are doing to retain Transcontinental's operations. Are competing municipalities offering tax incentives, grants, infrastructure support or other concessions? Could a competitive package, developed with provincial and federal assistance, make a difference in Owen Sound?

These possibilities must be investigated rather than dismissed without examination.

Is There Still a Way to Save Some or All of These Jobs?

Must this really be an all-or-nothing decision? If the entire operation cannot remain viable, could reduced production, a smaller workforce or a phased transition preserve at least part of the operation and its economic contribution to our community?

I recognize that the printing industry faces substantial structural challenges. No amount of political intervention can guarantee that a company will reverse a business decision. But that is no excuse for failing to explore every reasonable option before accepting the loss of hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in local economic activity.

What Our Municipal Leaders Must Do Now

The Mayor, Council and City Manager must work immediately with Transcontinental's leadership, our MPP and our MP to identify potential solutions.

That response should include:

• Direct engagement with Transcontinental. Establish what would be required to reconsider the closure or preserve part of the operation.
• Competitive operating arrangements. Examine property-tax arrangements and other municipal measures that are lawful, financially responsible and potentially helpful.
• Provincial and federal assistance. Identify available programs, grants, incentives and other forms of support that could contribute to a viable solution.
• Operational cost reductions. Investigate practical changes involving infrastructure, transportation, logistics and employee access that could improve the operation's long-term viability.
• Alternative operating scenarios. Determine whether reduced production, a smaller workforce, a different operating model or a phased transition could preserve jobs.
• Public accountability. Explain what has been attempted, which options remain available and what further steps municipal leaders intend to take.

We need a coordinated response, a willingness to think creatively and a clear accounting of what has been attempted. We also need to hear directly from our elected representatives about what they intend to do—not simply expressions of regret after the damage is done.

This Is About More Than One Company

Owen Sound cannot afford to keep losing major employers while treating each closure as an isolated event. Every lost job weakens our local economy, reduces spending in our downtown and puts additional pressure on the businesses and taxpayers who remain.

The consequences can compound over time. Fewer jobs mean fewer households with local employment income. Reduced spending affects retailers, restaurants, tradespeople and service providers. A weaker business environment can make it harder to attract new investment and create replacement employment.

That is why retaining existing employers must be treated as an essential part of economic development—not as an afterthought once a company announces that it is leaving.