Premier Stephen McNeil just issued the following statement:

PREMIER’S OFFICE–Premier Issues Statement, to Hold Media Availability Friday, Dec. 20
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NOTE: The following is a statement from Premier Stephen McNeil in response to the Minister of Environment’s decision on Northern Pulp’s proposed effluent treatment plant.
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I would like to thank the regulator, Minister Wilson and his team for their hard work on the Northern Pulp file. According to the regulator, Northern Pulp has provided some of the scientific evidence required, but not enough, meaning more work would need to be done. 

The regulator has given the company the opportunity to file an environmental assessment report, which could take up to two years. Our government now faces a very difficult decision – whether to give the company an extension to allow it to do the work necessary to prove it can operate in an environmentally sound manner, or let the Boat Harbour deadline stand, effectively shutting down the mill. 

Because this is one of the most difficult decisions our government has had to make to date, we need to take more time to reflect. At the same time, I understand how difficult this is for many Nova Scotians for many different reasons and I will make a decision public on Friday.

Tim Bousquet is the editor and publisher of the Halifax Examiner. Twitter @Tim_Bousquet Mastodon

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3 Comments

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  1. “Our government now faces a very difficult decision…”

    Good news Stephen – that decision was already made in 2015 when the Boat Harbour Act was passed with the support of all parties. Problem solved!

    All that’s left to do is start hiring for the jobs that will be created by dismantling the mill, not to mention the associated clean-up and renewed opportunities for forestry products when all our wood isn’t being turned into pulp.

    Berta Gaulke
    Tatamagouche, NS