Rémabec Finalizes Purchase of Rivière-aux-Rats Sawmill in La Tuque, QC, From Domtar

The Rivière-aux-Rats sawmill in La Tuque, Québec, and its associated forestry operations are now officially owned by Groupe Rémabec, Radio-Canada reported (7-3-25). The transaction was finalized on July 2. Rémabec does not anticipate any job losses and wants to invest in the facility.

Following months of uncertainty about the mill’s future, the plant is now part of Arbec’s lumber production network. Rémabec said it had obtained all necessary permits and completed the required administrative steps to close the deal, three months after announcing the acquisition.

The sale of Domtar’s sawmill to Rémabec includes all of the mill’s assets and forestry operations.

According to Éric Bouchard, the plant’s co-president and head of strategic affairs, development, and administration, operations are expected to resume temporarily in August before pausing again. The facility is expected to run at least until the current wood supply is depleted.

“There are still a lot of things to do to integrate our systems within that, because as soon as things change, we have to reorganize everything,” Bouchard said in an interview (translated). “And given that the plant was closed for a while, we want to see it back inside as well.”