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Union calls on new NS premier to support Northern Pulp reopening

The union representing workers at Northern Pulp is calling on the newly elected Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston to reopen the mill.

Houston defeated the incumbent, Liberal leader Iain Rankin, in a provincial election on Aug. 17.

In a statement, Linda MacNeil, Unifor Atlantic’s regional director, says the new government must support the province’s industries, including forestry.

“Houston repeatedly distanced himself from the federal conservatives during his campaign and I look forward to working with him, Paper Excellence Canada, the local community, and local Indigenous groups on the responsible re-opening of a clean and sustainable Northern Pulp kraft mill in his riding,” she says.

Before the election, all major party leaders said their governments would not finance the reopening of Northern Pulp.

Unifor, which represents the nearly 300 workers who were laid off when Northern Pulp closed in Jan. 2020, has expressed support for the company’s $350-million plan to revamp the mill.

The project description is currently before the province for review, which is the first step in filing a new environmental assessment application.