N.S. offering ’emotional support’ line to workers affected by mill closure

The Nova Scotia government has set up a confidential, toll-free line to offer emotional support to those affected by the pending closure of the Northern Pulp mill near Pictou.

Premier Stephen McNeil says the government will offer the round-the-clock service with the help of the human resources firm Morneau Shepell.

READ MORE: Northern Pulp examining ‘hot idle’, says Nova Scotia forestry transition team member

Last month, McNeil announced Northern Pulp would no longer be allowed to dump effluent near the Pictou Landing First Nation as of Jan. 31.

As a result, the plant is expected to shut down, affecting more than 300 people who work there and thousands more in the province’s forestry sector.

2:06 Questions raised about possible options for Northern Pulp mill

Meanwhile, the province has also scheduled a series of open houses to help those facing job losses.

“The impact of this situation reaches beyond those directly employed in the forestry sector and it’s vitally important that support is available to all those who need it,” McNeil said in a statement

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READ MORE: Northern Pulp mill will shut down by Jan. 31, as N.S. premier announces $50M transition fund

The sessions will be held between Jan. 14 and Jan. 23 in New Glasgow, Middle Musquodoboit, Liverpool, Bridgewater, Sheet Harbour, Antigonish, Lower Sackville, Truro and Amherst.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 7, 2020.