Government hopes to preserve regional timber supply and future forestry opportunities
The New Brunswick government has offered to secure a rich source of timber for the Nackawic region by bidding on forest lands owned by the AV Group, ahead of the company’s planned mill shutdown.
The land is part of a larger property marketed as Project Riverwood, encompassing about 431 square kilometres of timberland, primarily in York and Carleton counties. The province has not disclosed whether its offer covers the entire property or only a portion of it.
During Question Period in the legislature on Wednesday, Oct. 28, Carleton-York MLA Richard Ames raised concerns about the sale, citing approximately 425 square kilometres of land containing 4.35 million cubic metres of standing timber.
Natural Resources Minister John Herron confirmed the province had made an offer. “We have engaged with the company with an offer. We are under a non-disclosure agreement at this moment,” he replied.
In a statement to the River Valley Sun, Herron emphasized the economic significance of the forest lands and their importance to the region.
“These industrial freehold lands represent the fourth largest private property portfolio in New Brunswick,” he said. “Forest management activity on these lands have contributed to the economic prosperity of the region and we expect that will likely continue in the event of a change in ownership. We need to make sure that that private land is part of that wood basket so that there is a forestry solution in that region.”
Nackawic-Millville Mayor Tim Fox believes provincial ownership could provide an important opportunity to secure timber supplies for the region’s forestry industry.
“It would be better… if the province were to acquire that land as the timber supply from that land could be allocated to the mill if it were to re-open, or if it ever comes under new ownership,” Fox said. “It would also ensure that a good balance of timber and non-timber objectives is considered for the land.”
The outcome of the land sale could have significant implications for the Timberland’s future use, the Mayor added. “Third-party private ownership does not necessarily end up with the same result, as a third-party may have other objectives or uses for the land and the timber supply.”
At an Oct. 16 rally organized by Unifor, approximately 100 people, including mill workers, their families, union representatives and political leaders, marched through Nackawic to the Big Axe to call for government action.
“We’ve been working hand in hand with the government since June,” said Unifor Local 219 president Grant Charlton at the rally, “trying to either preempt a closure and find a solution where the mill could carry on. We want the value-add to be done here in this province.”
The proposed purchase comes as AV Group prepares to idle its Nackawic mill on Nov. 4, affecting approximately 350 workers. The shutdown is expected to have repercussions beyond the mill itself, affecting local families, businesses and the wider Nackawic-Millville community.
Ames also raised concerns that the mill’s equipment could freeze if heating is not maintained through the winter. Herron replied that the province has strongly encouraged AV Group to maintain heat, warning that allowing the facility to freeze could trigger a costly environmental impact assessment.
