Key Takeaways
- Greenpeace is calling for more transparency from Canada’s largest pulp and paper company, Domtar, regarding its use of $200 million in government funding.
- The company has received significant amounts of public funds without providing clear details on how the money is being used or its plans for the future of Canada’s forests.
- Greenpeace is demanding accountability and calling for conditions to be placed on any future government funding, including upholding nature and diversity protection, Indigenous rights, and reconciliation.
- The company’s owner, Jackson Wijaya, has been called to appear before the House of Commons committee on natural resources to answer questions about the company’s ownership and governance structure.
- Domtar has been accused of being secretive and hiding behind an elaborate corporate paper trail, with Greenpeace raising questions about the company’s lobbying activities and its relationship with Asia Pulp and Paper.
Introduction to the Issue
The environmental group Greenpeace has released a report entitled "Paper Trail to Nowhere," which highlights the lack of transparency and accountability from Canada’s largest pulp and paper company, Domtar. The report reveals that Domtar has received $200 million in government funding between 2020 and 2024, without providing clear details on how the money is being used or its plans for the future of Canada’s forests. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about the company’s intentions and the potential impact on Canada’s forests and the forest industry.
The Company’s Response
In response to the report, Domtar spokesperson Seth Kursman stated that the company adheres to Canada’s lobbying rules and is compliant with lobby registries in all jurisdictions in which it operates. Kursman also stated that the company’s owner, Jackson Wijaya, is willing to testify before the House of Commons committee on natural resources. However, despite this claim, Wijaya has previously failed to appear before the committee, citing busy schedules and instead sending company executives to represent him.
Demand for Accountability
Greenpeace is calling for any future government funding for the company to come with conditions, including upholding nature and diversity protection, Indigenous rights, and reconciliation. The group is also demanding that the company provide clear details on how the money is being used and its plans for the future of Canada’s forests. This demand for accountability is not only necessary for ensuring that public funds are being used effectively but also for protecting the environment and the rights of Indigenous communities.
The Company’s Lobbying Activities
The Greenpeace report also highlights the company’s lobbying activities, which have been focused on MPs on the natural resources committee and MPs for ridings where its mills are located. The report found that the company and its subsidiaries reported lobbying MPs or federal officials 64 times in 2023 and another 34 times in 2024. While lobbying government officials is not illegal, the report raises questions about the company’s influence and the potential impact on government decision-making.
The Relationship with Asia Pulp and Paper
The report also raises questions about the company’s relationship with Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), which has a notorious environmental track record. Despite the company’s claims that it is separate from APP, the report reveals that Wijaya is acquiring "sole control" of APP from his father, Teguh Ganda Wijaya. This raises concerns about the potential impact on Canada’s forests and the forest industry, given APP’s history of forest destruction in Indonesia.
The Need for Transparency
The lack of transparency and accountability from Domtar is a significant concern, given the company’s receipt of public funds and its potential impact on Canada’s forests and the forest industry. The company’s opaque corporate structure and lack of transparency raise questions and concerns about its operations and use of public funds. As Canada’s largest pulp and paper company, Domtar has a responsibility to provide clear details on how the money is being used and its plans for the future of Canada’s forests.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Greenpeace report highlights the need for transparency and accountability from Domtar, given its receipt of public funds and its potential impact on Canada’s forests and the forest industry. The company’s lack of transparency and accountability raises concerns about its intentions and the potential impact on the environment and Indigenous communities. As such, it is essential that the company provides clear details on how the money is being used and its plans for the future of Canada’s forests, and that any future government funding comes with conditions to ensure accountability and protection of the environment and Indigenous rights.
