Northern Pulp says company, forestry industry in jeopardy

ABERCROMBIE, N.S. — Northern Pulp says the company’s future is in jeopardy.

Brian Baarda, CEO, Paper Excellence Canada, the parent company of Northern Pulp, issued a statement, expressing disappointment in the government’s decision on Tuesday to seek more information from the mill on its proposed effluent treatment facility.

“To date, we have been following the federally and provincially agreed process to obtain the necessary approvals to construct our proposed wastewater treatment facility and ensure the long-term sustainability of thousands of jobs in Nova Scotia’s forestry sector,” Baarda said. “Our team put forward an in-depth plan 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 it employs could remain a vital part of our economy.”

He said the company will review the government’s decision and the options for the future of Northern Pulp.

“An Environmental Assessment and the continued operations of Northern Pulp require an extension to the Boat Harbour Act,” he said. “Until we have a decision on the extension of the Boat Harbour Act, the future of Northern Pulp and Nova Scotia’s Forestry Sector remain in jeopardy. We ask that the Government of Nova Scotia provide a decision on the Boat Harbour Act as soon as possible to ease the sense of unknown amongst the thousands of families who are anxiously awaiting a decision on their future in Nova Scotia.”

The company said representatives from Paper Excellence and Northern Pulp will have no further comment until the government’s decision on the extension of Boat Harbour is known. Premier Stephen McNeil has said he will make an announcement on Friday, Dec. 20, in regards to whether or not an extension to the Boat Harbour Act will be granted.

Unifor National President Jerry Dias, which represents the workers at Northern Pulp, held a press conference following Tuesday’s decision.

“(Tuesday’s) decision by the environment minister candidly is incredibly disappointing for the 350 workers of Northern Pulp in Pictou and frankly the 2,700 direct jobs that are impacted by the no decision today,” he said, adding the hurdles Northern Pulp has faced are “outrageous.”

“At first the government asked for nine studies. Then it went to 12 studies and then they wanted additional information and it went to 25 studies. Then they wanted more information. Now it’s gone up to 52 studies. Now, today, they’ve said, ‘hold on here, we need more information.’”

He said the timing is horrendous because of the cloud it leaves hanging over workers heading into the Christmas season.

“We’re sitting here with a solution that we can touch, but nobody is moving forward,” he said.

Dias went on to accuse McNeil of not sticking up for workers the way that other premiers do.

“Why there is another delay makes absolutely no sense to anyone,” he said. “There is not another province where the premier is not fighting for jobs. Yet, here we are with the government taking a basically hands-off approach.”

“We’re sitting here with a solution that we can touch, but nobody is moving forward.”

Jerry Dias Unifor National President