One of the world’s best-known environmental activists is weighing in on Nova Scotia’s Northern Pulp mill.
Erin Brockovich has been following developments in Pictou County, where a growing number of residents have expressed concerns about the mill’s emissions and resulting dense smog and persistent smell.
Tests conducted last year showed the mill was producing emissions that were 78 per cent above legal limits, but the company says there has been a 25 per cent improvement in particulate levels since then.
Northern Pulp insists things will improve when new equipment arrives next spring, but some residents say they are tired of the poor air quality in their town.
Many have called for the mill to be immediately closed until it deals with its aging smoke stacks, but company officials have said the cost of such a move would result in the operation shutting down permanently.
Last month, The Nova Scotia government issued a compliance order giving Northern Pulp a deadline of May 30 to get its air quality emissions in line.
Brockovich posted a message on her Facebook page Tuesday evening, showing support for Pictou residents and calling on Canadians to take action.
“Not only is it virtually impossible to breath clean air in Pictou, Nova Scotia, or the surrounding areas children and adults alike are forced to endure asthma, nausea, burning eyes, headaches and a vast list of other respiratory symptoms,” says Brockovich in her post.
“Naively and well sadly, I expected more from Canada… why would you let a foreign company come destroy your people like this? Wake up. Eh.”
Brockovich has been a household name since she was depicted by Julia Roberts in a feature film about her life in 2000.
