HALIFAX - Nova Scotia MP Peter MacKay committed Tuesday to doing what he can to address the impending closure of the NewPage pulp and paper mill outside Port Hawkesbury, N.S.
MacKay didn't offer specifics, saying a myriad of issues are behind the mill's closure, scheduled for later this month.
"I can assure you we are going to do everything we can to support this effort," said the defence minister, who was in Halifax to announce funding for an international security summit.
"There are very complex issues related to the ownership, the energy rate, tax rates, the parent company in the United States. These are very challenging times."
MacKay, the province's federal representative in the cabinet, said he has spoken with Premier Darrell Dexter and other key players about the closure and the potential loss of 1,000 jobs.
MacKay said his office has been in touch with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton as both federal agencies work with an employees' group to explore options.
He said the mill's shutdown would be felt throughout the province, but added that it was too early to comment on the long-term solvency of the company.
There are concerns that the mill's Ohio-based owners may file for bankruptcy in the United States.
The provincial government is expected to announce a lumber strategy later this week to try to hook up about 400 forestry workers with customers elsewhere in the province.
MacKay said he has been told there is capacity at the province's other two mills, Northern Pulp in his own riding and Bowater Mersey on the province's South Shore.
"There is a lot of engagement right now between the province, the working group and those other mills to see if we can keep product moving and people employed."
Dozens of contractors, trucking companies and other businesses who do work for NewPage Port Hawkesbury are worried about whether they will be paid. The company missed two scheduled payments last week.
