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Boat Harbour Act proposed amendments limit legal rights: Northern Pulp

Northern Pulp has submitted its opposition to Bill 143 to Nova Scotia’s Law Amendments Committee. The bill contains amendments to the Boat Harbour Act, proposed by the Nova Scotia government.

Northern Pulp said the proposed amendments attempt to retroactively eliminate the province’s responsibility to honour its contractual obligations to Northern Pulp in connection with the 11-year reduction in the term of the Effluent Treatment Facility lease (Boat Harbour).

According to Northern Pulp in its written submission, the province’s proposed amendments to the Boat Harbour Act limit the company’s legal rights against the province. The company has also noted how it increases the risk for any organization doing business with the province of Nova Scotia.

On April 1, 2022, the British Columbia Supreme Court directed Northern Pulp and the province to enter mediation to work toward a negotiated resolution of outstanding legal claims and disputes.

Northern Pulp noted in a statement that since the province was not successful in opposing mediation in the courts, it is attempting to change the Boat Harbour Act to retroactively eliminate its responsibility and legal obligations.