Statement from Premier MacLauchlan on Northern Pulp Effluent Treatment Facility

Premier Wade MacLauchlan today wrote to the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeill reiterating the concerns of Prince Edward Islanders regarding Northern Pulp’s plans for a new effluent treatment facility in Pictou County.

“I continue to hold these concerns, including the direct impacts in our province and on the eco-system of the Northumberland Strait,” the Premier wrote. “Given the amount of time that has passed and fresh uncertainty about the Northern Pulp proposal, I believe there is now an opportunity to take a more fully collaborative approach.”

Premier MacLauchlan made specific note of the potential risks of the project to vital sectors including the fishery and tourism, in our region and requested that a panel of experts and relevant stakeholders be established to review the environmental impacts of the project.

“It is imperative that this matter be seriously considered given the potential risks on an important habitat and on critical sectors, beginning with the fishery and tourism... If the matter is still to be pursued through an environmental assessment, I would strongly urge that the federal process be engaged and that Prince Edward Island be fully consulted and engaged.”

For the full text of the letter, visit: Office of the Premier Northern Pulp Mill Letter

Media Contact:
Mary Moszynski
mamoszynski@gov.pe.ca