**** PREMIER’S OFFICE– Media Release

Boat Harbour Act Deadline Remains in Place

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Northern Pulp in Pictou County will be forced to stop pumping effluent into Boat Harbour on Jan. 31, 2020.

Premier Stephen McNeil announced today, Dec. 20, that the Boat Harbour Act will be enforced.

“In 2015, I made a commitment to clean up Boat Harbour and I am honouring that commitment today,” said Premier McNeil. “Now, I am making a commitment to the workers of the mill and the forestry sector throughout Nova Scotia that we will be here for you in this transition – and make no mistake, I will honour that commitment as well.”

The premier announced a $50-million transition fund to support displaced workers across the province, small contractors and all those whose livelihoods will be affected. The transition fund will be used for retraining and education, and for emergency funding to help those in immediate need.

The premier has put together a transition team to be led by Kelliann Dean, deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade. She will be supported internally by the departments of Finance and Treasury Board, Lands and Forestry and Labour and Advanced Education, as well as a team from outside government including the president of Nova Scotia Community College, Don Bureaux, and representatives from each sector of the industry.

Quick Facts:
— the Boat Harbour Act passed in the House of Assembly with the support of all parties and it received Royal Assent on May 11, 2015
— Northern Pulp registered its effluent treatment plant project for environmental assessment on Feb. 7, 2019 and submitted a focus report on Oct. 2. On Dec. 17, the minister of environment announced there was not enough information to approve or reject the project.