Despite ‘upgrades,’ mill still emits stench

To the editor,

In response to the letter ‘What is the long-term plan for mill support?’ Thursday in The News, thank you Matt Gunning for your informative letter. I was unaware we taxpayers are supporting a mill now owned by Asia Pulp and Paper based in Singapore and that they have been given $118 million in just over three years. All taxpayers should be appalled at the government spending your hard-earned dollars this way.

I am looking forward to having these questions answered. I contacted Matt Gunning and he confirmed he had mailed it to a number of politicians and county councillors. I will bring up the issue when they come knocking on my door looking for a vote. Please speak up. Your voice should be heard. Silence is not golden.

Recently Northern Pulp ran a two-page ad in the weekly newspaper, claiming odour compounds have been reduced by 70 per cent. I have called Northern Pulp and the Department of the Environment many times to complain about the stench and air quality. The Environment department told me Northern Pulp does their own air testing. I then called the department in Halifax about an independent air quality test and was told Northern Pulp does their own testing. Does this make sense to you? Why not let impaired drivers take their own breathalyzer and report their readings? It amounts to the same thing. Air testing must be done by someone not involved in any way, shape or form with Northern Pulp, government, and not in their pockets.

Another item in the ad: Northern Pulp pledges $200,000 in support of Wellness Centre campaign. Does Northern Pulp think this makes them look good while their emissions continue into the air and into our lungs?

This mill is 46 years old. Bandages cannot fix it. Upgrades have not fixed it. Monies poured into it have not fixed it. Yet NP is looking for more investment for their “Business Sustainability Roadmap.” I hope their roadmap includes a dead end sign! Investors: invest in our own locally owned industry, business, fishing industry, tourism, etc., with an added bonus of fresh clean air for you, your children and grandchildren to breathe. Tourists smell the stench and leave, who wants to seek out the Ship Hector in a fog of stench. Charlie Parker, MLA Pictou West, I received your flyer in the mailbox, “Improving what matters to you.” Your office is in Pictou, you live in Loch Broom, I live in Loch Broom, therefore you are very much aware of Northern Pulp’s ongoing and worsening emissions. Grow a pair. Speak out about this 46-year pollution disaster. That is improving what matters to me.

Pam MacDonald

Loch Broom