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Premier Stephen McNeil
Halifax, Nova Scotia
September 6, 2019
Dear Premier McNeil and caucus,
Pictou County needs forestry - on this I believe we can agree.
Unifor represents forestry workers across Canada and knows the industry brings good-paying jobs to hundreds of communities, mostly in rural areas where unemployment levels are higher. Perhaps nowhere is this made clearer than in Pictou County where forestry jobs at Northern Pulp together with many sawmills and hundreds of contractor, supplier and trucking companies support thousands of families.
On September 3, Pictou County Council unanimously passed a motion, drafted by Unifor, to support the forestry sector. You can read the full resolution as part of our forestry policy document on our website.
Pictou County Council will be sending you notice of their resolution, but I felt their support for forestry is important enough to raise with you directly. Forestry is a true champion in Canada’s economy and can continue to deliver as a high value-added sector with proper support. Around the world, forestry is increasingly recognized as a sustainable and renewable industry that is part of the solution to climate change.
Forestry can have a bright future here in Nova Scotia, but only with smart policies and active government measures.
We continue to push Northern Pulp, and parent company Paper Excellence, to deliver a world-class proposal for a new water treatment facility and we commend and support their efforts to build a new legacy of respect for the people of Pictou Landing First Nation.
As the company prepares to submit its completed Focus Report, we urge you and your government to work with stakeholders to protect good forestry jobs, rebuild trust in our provincial and federal environmental regulations, and help begin a new chapter for Pictou Landing First Nation.
Together, this is possible.
Respectfully,
Linda MacNeil
Unifor Atlantic Regional Director
