Northern Pulp management and union challenge McNeil gov't

Northern Pulp and its union joined forces Tuesday to tell the McNeil government they want accommodations over new pollution rules being imposed by Nova Scotia at the Pictou County mill.

The mill and Unifor met privately with Zach Churchill, the province’s minister of natural resources. They opposed the new Industrial Approval (IA), which they say would cost about $90 million to implement.

"We need an IA that is achievable and reasonable and at this point we haven’t got one yet," said Bruce Chapman of Northern Pulp.

Scott Doherty of Unifor took a similar position.

"I would like the premier and the government to take a look at the IA and seriously have discussions about how we can fix it and have a working, reasonable IA," he said.

The new five-year Industrial Approval requires immediate reductions in smog causing particulate, and phased-in cuts in effluent and water usage.

"The department of environment is breaking new ground. On some of the clauses in the IA, they are out on their own," said Chapman. "This IA jeopardizes our business. It definitely hinders the long-term future of the mill."

Government won't move

The mill says the problem isn't meeting pollution cuts demanded now, but later in the permit. They warn getting investments to upgrade the mill will be harder for Paper Excellence, the Indonesian owners of the mill.

Churchill said little in public. "I can’t speak on behalf of the department of environment. The questions concerning the IA are strictly in that department," the natural resources minister said.

The environment department said they will not change the IA, which takes effect March 9. The company then has 30 days to launch an appeal.