Representatives from Northern Pulp and owner Paper Excellence (Richmond, Canada) are encouraged by the results of a recently commissioned poll.

This data was collected using MQO Researcher’s Atlantic Matters poll. The Atlantic Matters poll was conducted by telephone from January 30th to February 10, 2019 and included 400 randomly selected eligible voters from across the province.

According to the poll, more people support Northern Pulp’s plan for a new wastewater (effluent) treatment facility than oppose it:

• 36% support
• 21% neither support or oppose
• 27% oppose
• 16% don’t know.

The margin of error for the total sample is ± 4.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

"Our proposed new facility will keep all untreated wastewater on site and ensure only treated wastewater ever leaves Northern Pulp property," said Jean Francois Guillot, Paper Excellence Canada VP, Operations East. "These changes will make us one of the most environmentally responsible mills in North America."

"The research demonstrates that when people have the facts, they are more likely to support our proposal," explained Guillot.

The research shows Nova Scotians believe Northern Pulp is very important to the province’s economy. When asked what the impact the closure of Northern Pulp would have on the province’s economy, 65 percent said it would either be very negative or somewhat negative.

The economic importance to Pictou was even more pronounced. 76% said the economic impact of Northern Pulp’s closure would be very negative or somewhat negative for Pictou County’s economy.

"Our operation keeps people working in Pictou County and throughout the province – this research shows people understand that fact," statesd Guillot. "There are thousands of people who depend on Northern Pulp’s continued, uninterrupted operation."

Northern Pulp will construct and commission the new treatment facility project, but says that it needs more time beyond the Act’s legislated January 2020 deadline. An extension to the Boat Harbour Act is required to ensure that operations continue. "If an extension is not granted, thousands of jobs could be impacted. Once we have the approval to proceed, construction of the new treatment facility will begin immediately," said Guillot. "We can and will complete this project. We just need a little bit more time to work through the various phases, starting with the environmental assessment which is now underway."