Prince George, B.C. – The town of Mackenzie is hoping for some good news today, news that will help spare the Mackenzie Pulp Mill from a permanent closure.

Supreme Court Justice Donald Brenner is expected to make a ruling today on the contract which calls for Canfor to provide chips to the idled pulp mill. Without the agreement, the sale of the Pope and Talbot mill looks grim.

Mackenzie Mayor Stephanie Killam says residents are optimistic “People are hanging on, we’re hoping its positive, but we have no idea which way its going to fall.”

Yesterday, the same Supreme Court Justice ruled the Harmac pulp mill in Nanaimo be shut down immediately to save costs, but did say a group made up of workers and union reps, could have another week to improve their bid to buy the mill. Justice Brenner ruled in favour of the receiver, Price Waterhouse Coopers which said the group’s bid wasn’t sufficient. There are said to be four other parties interested in buying the Harmac property, none want to run it as a pulp mill, some want the property only and others would piece out the plant for its equipment.