Mackenzie, B.C. - The Western Region Vice President of CEP says his union will meet with officials from Asia Pacific early next week in an effort to put a deal together that would see the former Pope and Talbot/Worthington pulp mill resume operations in Mackenzie.

 

Jim Britton says, “This would be a hell of a deal for Mackenzie who have had to suffer through the recession”. Britton says if the company and Union can come to agreement , it could pave the way  for the return of 250 jobs in that community.

It is known that Asia Pacific has been meeting with the Province in an attempt to negotiate the monies owing to the province. The Province stepped in to ensure that the pulp mill was safely maintained.  There is also the matter of taxes owed to the District of Mackenzie.

 

It is also known that agreements are well advanced in the negotiating stage for the chips to run the mill from the recent re- opening of Canfor , who have added a second shift. The other good news is the pending sale of the Abitibi mill to Conifex.

It is rumoured that Asia Pacific would export the production from the pulp mill to its customers in the Asia- Pacific rim.

Other details including the value of the sale, and how the monies owing to the province and the Municipality will be met are not known.

 

Mackenzie residents say the addition of 250 families would mean that School District 57 will need to have another look at the proposed closing of their elementary school.