Action plan being developed for community affected by planned mill closure

Release

Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

September 28, 2026

NACKAWIC-MILLVILLE (GNB) – Provincial government representatives and stakeholders from the Nackawic-Millville area have met to chart an action plan for the community.

AV Group NB announced last week it is temporarily closing the AV Nackawic pulp mill, which employs about 350 people. Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour staff met with municipal officials on Friday to discuss the situation.

“We recognize the need to act quickly to support the Nackawic area,” said Post-Secondary Education and Training Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours. “We’re working with local officials, the pulp mill’s union, the employer, and unionized and non-unionized employees to find out what people need now and how we can help in the weeks and months ahead.”

The Nackawic-Millville labour force adjustment committee had its first meeting Friday. Committee members include employer and union representatives, the federal and provincial governments and community leadership.

In the short term, the committee will focus on making sure there is a co-ordinated approach among all stakeholders to ensure the affected workers are well supported during the planned closure. The focus will then turn to finding solutions and developing ideas to ensure a quick and lasting economic recovery for the region. Some of the work underway includes:

·         A booth has been set up in the Nackawic Shopping Mall to provide information and schedule employment counselling, which will be available starting Monday.

·         Information sessions with Service Canada and the department are set for next week; a session for union members will be held Tuesday at the union hall, while an event for non-members will be Thursday at the mill.

·         Another date will be set for union members who cannot attend Tuesday’s session.

·         A job fair is being organized, with details to be released once they are finalized.

Anglophone West School District is also introducing measures to help the children of families affected by the mill closure. The district will offer counselling support and financial assistance to waive or significantly reduce school fees for the 588 students attending three schools in the community.

28-09-26

Related topics

Jobs and workplaces