Northern Pulp spokesman David MacKenzie steps down

The man who spoke on behalf of problem-plagued Northern Pulp in Pictou County, Nova Scotia has left his job.

David MacKenzie says he leaves the company with a heavy heart and says he believes the plant is on its way to fixing its emissions problems.

Complaints about the stinking smog generated by the mill have been gaining a lot of attention this year as people in the community, health care workers, the Lung Association and activists — including Erin Brockovich — increasingly voiced concerns over the potential health impacts caused by the mill's pollution.

MacKenzie says an opportunity came up for a job outside the communications business and he decided to take it.

The Nova Scotia government issued a legally binding order in August giving the problem-plagued Northern Pulp mill in Abercrombie until next spring to clean up its act.

Earlier this month, thousands of spectators attended a concert to raise awareness about the mill’s air quality issues.