For what it’s worth, I take the Premier at his word on Boat Harbour
Also view:
– Premier’s delay on Boat Harbour decision draws opposition ire
Michael Gorman for CBC News, Dec 18, 2019:
From News Release
Premier’s Office
December 18, 2019 – 9:52 AM
NOTE: The following is a statement from Premier Stephen McNeil in response to the Minister of Environment’s decision on Northern Pulp’s proposed effluent treatment plant. I would like to thank the regulator, Minister Wilson and his team for their hard work on the Northern Pulp file. According to the regulator, Northern Pulp has provided some of the scientific evidence required, but not enough, meaning more work would need to be done.
The regulator has given the company the opportunity to file an environmental assessment report, which could take up to two years. Our government now faces a very difficult decision – whether to give the company an extension to allow it to do the work necessary to prove it can operate in an environmentally sound manner, or let the Boat Harbour deadline stand, effectively shutting down the mill.
Because this is one of the most difficult decisions our government has had to make to date, we need to take more time to reflect. At the same time, I understand how difficult this is for many Nova Scotians for many different reasons and I will make a decision public on Friday.
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For what it’s worth, I will take the Premier at his word on Boat Harbour, and I assume there will be no extension. The additional time (they had been talking about a Press Conference today) is to add some spin or other concessions for the forest industry.
McNeil on Boat Harbour, Dec 21, 2017:
We’re continuing down the road, we will meet the legislation that Boat Harbour doesn’t exist in 2020… there has been no final decision about what the treatment plant will look like…I am sure they will be looking at a number of options…it has never been nor will it be my intention to move Boat Harbour. One community had it too long; it was an injustice; if it hadn’t been next to an Aboriginal community it would not have happened …. It has never been our intention to move it and pollute somewhere else or to affect what is the backbone of most of our rural communities which is the fishery…
For some other history and context, view Pulp and Paper posts