Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter talks with reporters in Sussex, N.B. on May 15, 2011.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says the provincial government is willing to help market the NewPage paper mill's products after the operation announced it will shut down next month, laying off about 1,000 workers.
Mr. Dexter, who met with executives from the mill today, says he is looking at all options to help the Cape Breton mill, which has struggled with a high Canadian dollar and rising shipping and electricity rates.
He wouldn't give specifics or say whether the company requested financial help.
Mr. Dexter says he has assigned the mill's file to a group of cabinet ministers that will look for possible solutions.
He is also calling on Nova Scotia Power to drop any plans to look for a return on equity at power rate hearings next month, saying it's inappropriate given the current circumstances.
NewPage announced Monday it would indefinitely shut down its Port Hawkesbury mill in September.