The Government of Nova Scotia has formed a Bowater Response Team to help support workers, families and small businesses owners on the province’s south shore in the wake of Resolute Forest Product‘s decision to close the Bowater Mersey mill.

“This is a top priority for government and we are committed to do what it takes to see this community and industry through a very tough time,” said Premier Darrell Dexter. “We are mobilizing to meet immediate needs and plan for long-term opportunities that will create good jobs and a stable economy.”

Jeff Larsen, Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism executive director of investment and trade, and Allan Eddy, Department of Natural Resources senior director, will lead the response team. It will also include resources from the departments of Labour and Advanced Education, Natural Resources, Community Services, Energy and Nova Scotia Business Inc.

The team will support transition advisor Ron Smith, who was appointed earlier this week to help communities impacted by the Bowater mill closing, map their future. The provincial team will take options and ideas submitted by Mr. Smith’s transition committee and determine what the province can do to implement them.

The province’s response team is also identifying all provincial supports, programs and services that can help impacted families and make them available.

The response team will focus on three key areas:

• Community Adjustment: Help community, workers and businesses through transition. Increase and diversify the local skills base.
• Economic Diversification: Identify growth opportunities in key sectors. Implement strategies to attract investment and create jobs. Support entrepreneurship.
• Forestry Transition and Supply Chain: Pursue opportunities to support the forestry sector. Transition regional forestry sector and supply chain. Identify short, medium and long term opportunities for forestry innovation.

The team will also meet with the forestry sector to discuss immediate needs. The province is also gathering information on the 500,000 acres of land for sale by Resolute.

A team of career counsellors and job training specialists are also in the area to support affected workers.

Source: Government of Nova Scotia