For Immediate Release:
[Richmond, BC] – Paper Excellence is pleased to have received $8.6 million of the more than $70 million in provincial funding announced by the CleanBC Industry Fund yesterday.
CleanBC Industry Fund is a provincial government program that invests a portion of government’s carbon tax revenues into businesses working on emission reduction projects. This round of funding is expected to reduce emissions by 4.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the next decade.
“This funding is being invested at four of our BC mills into projects that will reduce the mills’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve efficiency,” said Graham Kissack, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety, and Corporate Communications. “Programs like the CleanBC Industry Fund are helping industry achieve British Columbia’s ambition for a low carbon future.”
The four mills—Catalyst Crofton, Catalyst Port Alberni, Howe Sound Pulp & Paper, Skookumchuck Pulp—employ more than 1,500 people in rural BC and make an economic contribution of $2.25 billion annually.
“Separate from the economic impact these mills have in their local communities, our products are spearheading carbon reduction every day,” said Kissack. “Our paper and pulp products are made from a renewable resource that often displace existing plastic products.”
Quotes:
Katrine Conroy, Minister for Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and MLA for Kootenay West
“People across the Kootenays are passionate about tackling climate change and reducing our emissions,” said Minister Conroy. “After seeing the impacts of climate change first-hand over the last year, these projects are very timely for our communities. I’m really glad that Skookumchuk Pulp is working with our government to move this project forward, helping us all reduce our emissions and breathe a little easier.”
Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid-Island – Pacific Rim
“We all need to do our part to reduce emissions and slow the progress of climate change, including our industry partners,” said MLA Osborne. “With this investment from our government’s CleanBC Industry Fund, Catalyst will be able to reduce their emissions significantly, the equivalent of taking over 500 cars off the road per year.”
Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo – North Cowichan
After the extreme weather we have seen in the past year, it’s more clear than ever that we need to focus on addressing climate change,” said MLA Routley. “I am grateful for the leadership that local industry partners have shown in addressing climate change while continuing to provide good paying, family supporting jobs in our community. Our government is committed to working with industry through our CleanBC program to transition operations so that workers are not displaced in the process, and the funding announced today reflects this commitment.”
Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River – Sunshine Coast
People on the Sunshine Coast are committed to doing their part to reduce emissions, and that includes our industries,” said MLA Simons. “These projects at the Port Mellon mill will have the same effect as taking over 2,900 cars off the road per year and help get us closer to our climate goals.”
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Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers. The company operates seven mills and a large-scale cargo distribution centre in Canada producing and shipping over 2.8 million tonnes annually with a workforce of more than 2,800. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products.
Media Contact: Graham Kissack, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety and Corporate Communications | media@paperexcellence.com | Mobile: (250) 732-7991
Pinder Rehal, Senior Communications Specialist | pinderr@uwbc.ca | | Direct: 604.969.8637
