It has been 2 weeks since the Mayor of Port Hawkesbury, Billy Joe MacLean, announced that NewPage Corp. had filed for creditor protection.

Today, Darrell Dexter, Premier of Nova Scotia is also saying the company has filed for creditor protection, and the province of Nova Scotia has issued a press release saying the province is seeking a buyer for the mill in Port Hawkesbury.

“Based on NewPage’s recent announcement, it has become clear that the province will need to work with all levels of government and the private sector to help identify a potential buyer for the Port Hawkesbury mill to ensure its future in the province,” said Premier Darrell Dexter. “The province has already reached out to potential buyers and will now aggressively work with our partners to attract a new buyer as quickly as possible.”

NewPage Port Hawkesbury spokesperson Patricia Dietz said she hadn’t heard anything about the company filing for creditor protection as of 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Premier Dexter also said he would announce details of an initiative to help keep woodland contractors working on Friday, Sept. 9, in Port Hawkesbury.

“Now that efforts will need to be focused on identifying a new buyer for the mill, it is more important than ever to keep the woodland infrastructure in place and contractors working,” said Premier Dexter. “This will help make the sale of a the mill more attractive to potential buyers.”

Layoff notices have officially been given in Port Hawkesbury. Workers at each paper machine will work for one week past their scheduled shut down date. Paper Machine #1 will be shut down on Saturday. Paper Machine #2 will follow on September 16.

Steve MacDougall, recording secretary with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Local 972, told the Cape Breton Post that 26 union members will continue to be employed during the shutdown.

Read more:
Province to Focus Efforts on Re-Sale of NewPage Port Hawkesbury Mill (Province of Nova Scotia)
NewPage files for creditor protection (Cape Breton Post)