Opposition Responds Quickly to Pending Mill Closure

Nova Scotia’s official opposition responded swiftly to job losses from Premier Stephen McNeil’s declaration that there will be no further lifeline for the pulp mill in Pictou County.

The Progressive Conservation Opposition Leader says he is “gutted” by the premier’s refusal to extend the deadline for closing the mill’s Boat Harbour waste site.

Tim Houston says, “This is a devastating day for thousands of Nova Scotian families, people who work in the woods, run porters, operate saw mills, deliver fuel, work at Northern Pulp.”

The MLA for Cumberland South and the PC party’s forestry critic says Premier McNeil did not stand up for jobs. Tory Rushton said, “My thoughts are with all the families who are going to be spending the holiday season worrying about the future of their jobs and how they will put food on the table.”

Rushton says even with the transition package many communities will be in a state of uncertainty for the foreseeable future. He added the premier’s decision comes despite the company and forestry advocates calling for an extension to allow Northern Pulp time to complete another environmental assessment.

He criticized the McNeil Liberals for leaving the decision to the eleventh hour, a decision he says, “Will result in many hard working Nova Scotians losing their jobs.”

The MLA for Cumberland North pegs the job loss at 500 and Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin says, there will be many more to follow.

Smith-McCrossin says, “It’s frustrating and disheartening to see that pulp mills are continuing to thrive in many other provinces - but not our own.” She added, “It is a sad day in Cumberland County.”

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