Company's shuttered mill in Nova Scotia lacks a specified timeline for cleanup, according to the minister.
Northern Pulp's Old Mill Site Remediation Plan Remains Pending
Northern Pulp, a pulp mill operating in Abercrombie Point, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, has abandoned plans to restart operations or build a new mill in the province. The company, which has been under creditor protection since closing the mill in June 2020, is now responsible for decommissioning its old mill and cleaning up the shuttered site [1][2].
As of late July 2025, the provincial government is awaiting a reclamation and cleanup plan from Northern Pulp, but there is currently no set deadline for the company to submit this plan [1][2][3][4][5]. Environment Minister Tim Halman stated that the government will provide updates when the company submits the plan, but has not disclosed any timeline or further details [1][2][3][4][5].
Under a settlement agreement, Northern Pulp has committed to compensating Nova Scotia up to $15 million toward closure and cleanup costs [1]. However, Tim Halman, the environment minister, did not specify whether the $15 million will be enough to cover the cost of the cleanup plan [1][2][3][4][5].
The old mill, operational since the 1960s until its closure in 2020, had environmental impacts, including mercury pollution from a chemical manufacturer that operated on site. Opposition voices have raised concerns about government enforcement and accountability to prevent taxpayers bearing cleanup costs [1].
Meanwhile, the company-managed timberlands of Northern Pulp (approximately 200,000 hectares) are in the process of being sold off. The provincial government has not yet decided whether to buy the lands being sold by Northern Pulp [6]. Tory Rushton, the minister of Natural Resources, made these statements about the sale of Northern Pulp's timberlands [6]. The rules of the sale process are not yet clear.
The mill, located in Abercrombie Point, produced bleached kraft pulp, an ingredient for paper [7].
References:
- The Canadian Press, July 24, 2025.
- Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press, July 24, 2025.
- Tim Halman, interview, July 24, 2025.
- Tory Rushton, interview, July 24, 2025.
- Northern Pulp Ltd., press release, July 24, 2025.
- Government of Nova Scotia, statement, July 24, 2025.
- Northern Pulp Ltd., company profile, accessed July 24, 2025.
- The $15 million commitment from Northern Pulp may not be sufficient to cover the cost of the old mill's reclamation and cleanup, raising concerns about potential environmental-science costs and subsequent financial burdens on the economy and local businesses.
- The pristine timberlands, once managed by Northern Pulp and covering approximately 200,000 hectares, are currently on the market, sparking discussions about their potential sale to the provincial government, its impact on the forestry industry, and the role of environmental-science in shaping the business decision.
- As the provincial government waits for Northern Pulp's reclamation and cleanup plan submission, questions regarding the implementation of environmental regulations to safeguard the environment and minimize long-term economic and business damages are increasingly pertinent, particularly considering the mill's historical mercury pollution and ongoing environmental concerns.
