Key Political Leaders Oppose Govt. Funding for Northern Pulp Mill

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The leaders of three prominent political parties have opposed government funding to Pictou County Northern Pulp Mill, if it manages to obtain permission to reopen the controversial site for operations. The company management had recently announced a $350-million reopening plan for the mill which has been idled since February last year.

Liberal leader Iain Rankin said that the party will oppose any sort of forgivable loan to the mill, as granted in the past. Although the party supports easing regulatory burden and extending all possible support to traditional sectors like forestry, it is of the opinion that the businesses should be made to put their own capital. Further, he called for a rigorous and fair environment assessment process, prior to sanctioning mill restart.

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Tory leader Tim Houston extended full support to companies rooted and thriving within the local environment. However, acts such as setting up of new plant must be financed by the companies themselves.

Meantime, NDP leader Gary Burrill noted that Northern Pulp has still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done in order to gain public confidence and secure any sort of financial assistance from the government. He also challenged the company’s proposal to send treated effluent into Pictou Harbour.