A glimmer of hope for local workers

Promise comes as Northern Pulp looks to be shutting down operations in Pictou County

VALLEY, N.S. – The Sproule Sawmill in Valley will continue operating even after Northern Pulp closes down, announced J.D. Irving Ltd. Friday.

Irving said it will keep the plant open as long as it can access a sufficient and economical wood supply. The announcement came the same day the province said it would uphold the Jan. 31 deadline for Northern Pulp to stop pumping effluent into Boat Harbour.

“The hope is that we will receive confirmation of wood supply in the very near future to avoid layoffs,” said Irving spokesperson Mary Keith.

Irving is requesting the province ensure access to a steady wood supply to prevent either Sproule’s employees or operations being negatively impacted.

The Sproule Sawmill directly employs more than 130 employees. Up to now, Northern Pulp supplied logs to Sproule, while Irving provided wood chips and bark.

Premier Stephen Mcneil announced Dec. 20 in Halifax that his government will uphold the deadline laid out in the Boat Harbour Act. It is a decision that could spell the end of the Pictou County paper mill.

“Let me be clear, there will be no extension,” said the premier. “Northern Pulp has had a number of chances but here we are.”

He said the company had five years to find an alternative to Boat Harbour and “was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.”

Northern Pulp had previously proposed a pipe for treated effluent to be released into the Northumberland Strait, which was opposed by environmentalists, fishers and First Nations in Pictou County.

Brian Baarda, CEO of the mill’s parent company Paper Excellence Canada, said the provincial government disregarded the facts around Boat Harbour.

“Northern Pulp put forward an excellent plan informed by third party, subject matter experts based on sound science that showed no meaningful environmental impact, represented a significant operational improvement, and ensured Nova Scotia’s forest sector and the thousands its employs could remain a vital part of our economy,” said Baarda. “It also enabled timely closure and remediation of Boat Harbour. The Premier chose to disregard these facts.”

Baarda said Nova Scotia Environment did not provide a definitive process over the last four and a half years.

However, Northern Pulp honoured every additional request for further science around its proposed replacement for Boat Harbour. According to Baarda, the mill would have been happy to provide a full environmental assessment from the outset, had it been requested.

“We are deeply disappointed in the Government of Nova Scotia’s decision with respect to the extension of the deadline in the Boat Harbour Act,” said Baarda. “This decision ensures the closure of Northern Pulp, the devastation of Nova Scotia’s forest industry, loss of over 2,700 rural jobs, and significant impact to another 8,300 forestry jobs across Nova Scotia.”

Mcneil announced a $50-million transition fund to help mill workers impacted by Northern Pulp’s impending closure.