If you live in New Brunswick, you know how vital the forestry sector is to the local economy. The power boiler at the Nackawic pulp mill ran for the last time on Wednesday. Operations have officially stopped. Workers now face an uncertain future as the facility enters a temporary idling phase.

According to a report from CTV News Atlantic, employees are currently cleaning and preparing equipment for a future restart. However, management has not announced any timeline for when that will happen.

Workers Face a Quiet Reality

Grant Charlton is the president of Unifor 219. He represents the mill workers and describes the current atmosphere as eerie. People who spent decades working alongside the loud hum of machinery now work in complete silence.

“It is a big part of people’s lives. And with that people are kind of going through different stages of grief,” Charlton said.

The Debate Over Heating the Mill

A major concern right now is whether the facility will remain heated during the idle period. All three provincial political parties are pushing for a warm idle. Keeping the heat on protects the equipment and prevents environmental hazards.

Premier Susan Holt stated that the mill owner, Aditya Birla, needs to keep the facility warm. If they fail to do so, they face an Environmental Impact Assessment. Holt noted this assessment will cost the company more time and money than simply heating the building.

Progressive Conservative MLA Richard Ames believes the threat of an assessment falls short. He warns of an environmental catastrophe if the heat turns off, specifically due to the presence of chromium on site.

“There is no plan in place. I have been calling for a task force to search globally for investors and partners to make this mill turn into a new reality,” Ames said.

Company Remains Uncommitted

AV Group NB Inc. owns the mill. So far, the company has not committed to heating the facility. Charlton noted that the company told the union from the beginning they did not plan to keep the heat on.

Mike Legere is the director of Government Relations and Communications for AV Group Canada. He confirmed the company stance in an email.

“We have not committed to a decision on the configuration of the idling at Nackawic with regard to heating,” Legere said.

The situation highlights broader concerns about the local forestry sector. New Brunswick Green Party leader David Coon criticized the current approach.

“What a mess. The context for this is this government has no vision for the forestry industry, for the forestry sector,” Coon said.

If you follow local industry news, you know this closure impacts the entire region. Your community feels the ripple effects when major employers halt operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Nackawic pulp mill stop operations?

The mill entered a temporary idling phase. The parent company, AV Group NB Inc., has not provided a specific reason or a timeline for restarting operations.

What are the workers doing now?

Workers are currently cleaning and preparing the mill equipment for a future restart.

Why is heating the mill a major issue?

Keeping the mill heated protects the equipment from damage. It also prevents environmental hazards related to chemicals like chromium stored on site.

What happens if the company refuses to heat the mill?

The provincial government warned that failing to heat the facility will trigger a costly Environmental Impact Assessment.