Former Nova Scotia premier resigns from board connected to Northern Pulp mill

Northern Pulp owes province millions Owners of mill still haven't paid back loans; meanwhile, former premier resigns from board. Natasha Pace reports.

ABERCROMBIE, N.S. — The parent company for the Northern Pulp mill has announced former Nova Scotia premier John Hamm has resigned from a board connected with the mill.

Hamm had been a director and was chairman of the board of directors for Northern Resources Nova Scotia.

In a brief statement, Paper Excellence Canada does not give a reason for the resignation.

The company thanked Hamm for his "valuable service" to its subsidiaries.

Paper Excellence says it remains focused on the "safe and environmentally sound" hibernation of the mill located in Abercrombie Point, N.S.

The company shut down production at the mill last month, after its plan for a new treatment system that would see it pump treated effluent into the Northumberland Strait was rejected by the province in December.

As part of a so-called orderly closure, the province is allowing warm boiler water to continue to flow into an effluent treatment lagoon near the Pictou Landing First Nation until late April, despite the legislated Jan. 31 deadline.

The company has committed to continue with an environmental assessment process for a new effluent treatment system ordered by the province -- something that could take up to two years to complete.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 7, 2020.