MLA Jake Stewart

J.D. Irving Ltd. put a $25 million overhaul of a Doaktown sawmill on hold after this month’s U.S. Commerce Department’s decision on softwood lumber duties, the company says. “We have undertaken engineering for the mill expansion,” JDI vice-president Mary Keith said. “Next steps are dependent on market conditions, including the resolution of the softwood lumber duty issue currently facing New Brunswick.” The sawmill modernization was one of several projects promised three years ago when the David Alward Progressive Conservative government signed a 25-year wood allocation contract with JDI as part of its forestry plan in 2014. …”When your revenues are cut by 10 per cent, capital projects will be reviewed,” said JDI vice-ppresident Jerome Pelletier, November 3rd. …Southwest Miramichi Progressive Conservative MLA, Jake Stewart was furious with the announcement,