Premier Wade MacLauchlan says he is still waiting to hear if a federal environmental review is coming for a pulp mill’s plan to dump effluent into the Northumberland Strait.
MacLauchlan wrote letters to Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil and federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in January to express his concerns about the facility’s plans.
In response to questions from the Opposition in the legislature Wednesday, MacLauchlan said he heard back from McNeil who indicated Nova Scotia was proceeding with a 30-day environmental review.
“The request of the federal minister has been acknowledged, but there has not been a response one way or the other. But I remain hopeful that there will be a federal environmental review,” he said.
Northern Pulp has to replace the wastewater treatment facility as its mill in Pictou County, N.S., by 2020.
If it goes ahead as planned, wastewater will drain into the Northumberland Strait, which has led to concerns from various groups in P.E.I. who worry about the potential environmental impact.
MacLauchlan said he was clear in his letters that P.E.I. doesn’t support the project as proposed.
Related: P.E.I. groups opposed to Northern Pulp effluent proposal holding public meeting April 8
“We would not be prepared to change that view without a full environmental review,” he said.
MLA Darlene Compton said it was recently reported that the Nova Scotia government and Northern Pulp were negotiating a cost-sharing deal for the project.
“I’m concerned and we’re all concerned that the fix is in here,” she said.
MacLauchlan said he thinks everyone should be using what resources and opportunities are available to encourage the federal government to do an environmental assessment.
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