Northern Pulp plans to shut down Nova Scotia mill after premier refuses to grant extension

After three days of public silence, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil delivered a decision that could define his time in office — his government won’t amend the Boat Harbour Act, forcing the impending closure of Northern Pulp’s effluent facility by the end of January.

The move keeps a promise McNeil made to a First Nation almost five years ago, and ends what he and members of his government have referred to as one of the province’s worst examples of environmental racism.

But it also forces the closure of Northern Pulp, the largest player in the province’s forestry sector. Without being able to use Boat Harbour to treat its effluent, the Pictou County mill is unable to operate, and could kill as many as 2,700 forestry-related jobs.

“The company has had five years and any number of opportunities to get out of Boat Harbour, and at this point we’re nowhere close to that,” he said Friday. “That’s not on us. That’s the decision the company has made.”

McNeil announced a $50-million transition fund to help those in the forestry sector affected by the decision. The work will be managed by three government departments and the Nova Scotia Community College, and McNeil made a pledge to workers in the sector.

“We have not forgotten you and I have made it clear that this transition is a top priority. Our government is committed to economic growth and environmental integrity.”

Legislation was passed in 2015 setting the date to close the facility at Boat Harbour, a former tidal estuary next to Pictou Landing First Nation that for five decades has been treating the mill’s wastewater and is heavily polluted.

Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul quickly became emotional as she spoke to reporters following McNeil’s announcement.

“It’s been a long time coming,” she said.

Paul said she’s grateful to the premier and government, as well as her community.

“This has been a very challenging issue. I know it wasn’t going to be easy for people around Nova Scotia, and I don’t take that lightly.”

The premier’s decision is “a huge statement” when it comes to respecting Indigenous people and their struggles, she said, and sets an example for others to follow.

“We know that marginalized communities are the ones that definitely get hurt the most in terms of not being treated fairly. And I really commend this government for setting the precedent to make things right. I know this wasn’t easy.”

Brian Baarda, CEO of Northern Pulp parent company Paper Excellence, told reporters the decision not to extend the Boat Harbour deadline to allow the mill to remain open was a shock to the company and its employees.

“This decision ensures the closure of Northern Pulp [and] the devastation of Nova Scotia’s forest industry,” he said.
more at source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/northern-pulp-boat-harbour-nova-scotia-premier-stephen-mcneil-decision-1.5403916

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