US trade representative starts NAFTA inquiry into subsidies for Port Hawkesbury Paper:
A trade representative in the United States has started a NAFTA inquiry to determine if improper subsidies were given to Port Hawkesbury Paper.
The Nova Scotia government provided the new owners with a $124.5 million aid package and spent an additional $36.8 million to keep the mill hot idled until a sale agreement could be reached.
Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative, plans to request information from the Canadian and Nova Scotian governments to verify details of the assistance given to the mill.
Kirk was prompted by Maine’s Congressman Mike Michaud who is concerned about job losses in Maine.
