N.S. premier headed to site of paper mill closure

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter is travelling to Port Hawkesbury today to meet local politicians and union leaders about next month's pending closure of the NewPage paper mill.

Dexter says he's looking at all options to help the Cape Breton mill that has struggled with a high Canadian dollar and rising shipping and electricity rates.

The premier says he's also prepared to travel to NewPage's Ohio headquarters to talk with the company's ownership group, but not until he has a plan in place.

Dexter says the government is willing in the meantime to help market the NewPage paper mill's products to emerging markets in Asia and South America.

Bill Stewart, director of woodlands for NewPage Port Hawkesbury, says he doesn't know at this point what it will take for the province to save the mill.

Stewart says it's a complex issue and it will take hard work to find solutions.

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  NewPage Corporation says the workers at its mill in Port Hawkesbury will be laid off next month for an indefinite period as the company struggles to cope with a stronger Canadian dollar and rising rates for shipping and electricity.