October 9, 2009: J.D. Irving, Limited’s Response to the Federal Government’s Support of Canadian Pulp and Paper Producers

  • We appreciate the Government of Canada’s leadership in delivering The Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program - it is good for business and good for the environment.
  • Today’s announcement provides an opportunity to undertake new energy efficiency projects that will reduce our environmental footprint and reduce energy costs at our pulp and paper operations. We will now finalize project priorities and expect to provide further details about the improvement projects within the next few weeks.
  • We have seen the benefit of investments made in renewable fuels and green energy technology, such as biomass boilers and small scale hydro. We see further potential in the development of combined heat and power generation and recovery of waste heat for reuse in our processes.
  • The program does not apply to sawmills. This rightly respects the integrity of the Softwood Lumber Agreement, which is vital to Atlantic Canadian lumber producers.
  • The projects that the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program supports will create further economic activity and employment in the design, engineering, and construction phases.
  • We are actively working to reduce energy consumption – especially given the escalating price of fuel. This program means that energy-efficiency investments can happen sooner, rather than later.
  • We will be looking at green energy projects that will have the greatest economic and environmental impact on our business in the long term. We look forward to participating in the program.
  • The J.D. Irving, Limited group of companies operates three pulp and paper mills in Saint John, NB (Irving Tissue, Irving Pulp & Paper, and Irving Paper). In addition J.D. Irving, Limited operates a corrugated medium plant - Lake Utopia Paper - near the community of St. George, NB. Together, these operations directly employ over 900 people and generate a combined annual payroll of over $90 million dollars. Thousands of indirect jobs also support these operations. These four mills generate over $180 million/year in purchases of goods and services from New Brunswick suppliers (not including wood purchases).

Mark Mosher
Vice President, Pulp & Paper Division
J.D. Irving, Limited

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Contact:
Geoff Britt
Communications Officer
J.D. Irving, Limited
(506) 632-7777