HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's opposition parties are dismissing legislation to ratify the government's $50-million deal to save the struggling Bowmater Mersey paper mill as an unnecessary move designed to force their support for the agreement.
Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker said the bill amendment introduced Tuesday would allow the Region of Queens Municipality to provide a property tax break for the mill worth $135,000.
Although the province has the legal authority to enact most of the agreement without legislation, Parker said the bill would help save up to 2,000 direct and indirect jobs if the mill in Liverpool were to close.
The opposition parties maintain that aside from amending the Municipal Government Act to allow the tax break, the legislation isn't needed.
Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil said Premier Darrell Dexter is trying to deflect criticism of the deal by turning up the heat on the opposition.
"There's lots of questions about this particular deal and he (Dexter) is trying to back the opposition parties into a corner," said McNeil.
Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie agreed.
"No deal is not an acceptable outcome to the PC party and for that reason when the bill comes to a vote we will be voting in favour of the deal and the bill," said Baillie.
Dexter didn't shy away from opposition accusations that politics were at play.
"It's a political issue," Dexter said.
"If they want to oppose the investment of money in 2,000 jobs on the South Shore, I think people have a right to hear the reason why that is."
Under the five-year agreement, the province would give a $25 million forgivable loan to mill owner Resolute Forest Products (TSX:ABH). The loan is contingent on the company keeping the two paper-making machines operating in Liverpool and making improvements to become more efficient.
An additional $1.5 million would go toward training workers and $23.75 million would be spent on the purchase of woodland from the company.
