PICTOU, N.S. — One way or another, people in Pictou County want an answer.
Municipality of Pictou County Warden Robert Parker said people are frustrated by the fact that Premier Stephen MacNeil has once again punted the decision about whether or not he will extend the Boat Harbour Act – this time until Friday, Dec. 20.
“It leaves people in a terrible position,” he said.
As head of the Pictou County’s largest municipality and one that encompasses both forestry lands and fishing harbours, Parker is well aware of both sides of the debate when it comes to Northern Pulp’s future.
“Everybody knows the full story here.”
Unfortunately, he said the province can’t seem to make up its mind.
“Here we are right before Christmas and it’s leaving a lot of families in a very difficult position.”
He believes that the province needs to come up with a solution that will allow both forestry and fishing to continue.
“We cannot afford to lose a lot of jobs right now in this county.”
He believes it was probably a mistake for the province to promise a certain date for closure of Boat Harbour without knowing how long it would take to get information for replacing the treatment facility.
“They kind of boxed themselves in. Now they’re going to have to try to find a way out of that box.”
He believes both fishing and forestry need to continue and both concerns need to be heard.
On the other side of Pictou Harbour, the people of Pictou Landing First Nation moved their countdown calendar one day closer to the legislated Boat Harbour deadline. The community is putting its full weight behind that Jan 31, 2020 deadline, marking a line in the sand that they and their supporters are unwilling to back away from.
“I am confident that there will be no extension,” Chief Andrea Paul said after hearing that McNeil will be making an announcement Friday.
Still, some elders in the community like Mary Nicholas aren’t going to get her hopes up too much until the day has come and gone.
“You know what day I’m waiting for? Feb. 1 2020. I’ll be up all night,” said Nicholas, wearing a red A’se’k shirt outside of the Pictou Landing First Nation band office.
Others, like Marge Francis, are putting their hopes firmly on the promised date.
“I think everything will be all right,” Francis said, standing beside the community calendar. “The date is the date.”
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