Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, 17 January 2012 -- The Quebec government is attempting to help mill owners and the workers reach an agreement that will re-open White Birch Paper Company's Stadacona newsprint mill.

The Stadacona mill in Quebec City has been closed since December, and White Birch said the closure will be permanent following the union's rejection of its final offer.

According to a Canadian Press report, Sam Hamad, Quebec's economic development minister, met with company president Christopher Brant in Montreal. Hamad then said a solution to the mill closure will be reached between its owner and the workers.

Quebec's Natural Resources Minister Clement Gignac said taxpayers won't be put on the hook to keep the facility open, suggesting the private sector would have to make major investments to re-open the doors.