SPEC Headlines, Dec. 14, 2003

Québec puts on hold offshore oil and gas exploration
Environmental assessment to take place before any green light
Gilles Gagné

The Québec government is putting on hold Hydro-Québec's program to explore the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in order to find oil and gas. Minister of Environment Thomas Mulcair and Natural Resource Minister Sam Hamad confirmed that decision last week, after receiving many requests from ecologists and commercial fishermen to submit the file to public hearings.
The halt to oil and gas search was announced days away from the start of seismic work to be conducted by Geophysical Survey Inc., a company based in Calgary, on behalf of Hydro-Québec.
The environmental assessment called by the Québec government will delay the exploration campaign for many months. Québec will ask a committee manned by experts to study the implications of oil and gas search, notably on sea mammals. The Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement, the Québec government body in charge of conducting public consultation, will also be asked to participate in the assessment of exploration on wildlife.

Gaspesia mill: Modernization tab to surpass original cost by at least $20 million
Opening of the mill delayed by two and a half months
Gilles Gagné

The modernization of the Gaspésia mill in Chandler will cost at least $20 million more than forcastedin the Fall of 2002, when the total bill was estimated at $493 million. The partners of Gaspesia Papers have budgeted an extra $55 million in the case that the worst productivity scenario occurs on the construction site.
Gaspesia Papers President and Director General Denis Beauséjour also confirms that the production of high quality coated paper will be delayed by slightly more than two months, because the work has not been progressing according to the original schedule.
"Initially, we wanted to produce coated paper by the end of July 2004. To reach that goal, we must first produce other grades of paper. Now, we are aiming at the beginning of October for the production of coated or glossy paper", he says.

Woodlot owners agree to negotiate with Groupe GDS to supply panel board plant
Gilles Gagné

Delegates of the Union of Wood Producers of the Gaspé have agreed to resume negotiations with Groupe GDS, to reach a deal regarding the supply of wood fiber that will constitute about one third of the needs of the proposed Grand River Gaspan OSB panelboard plant.
In a special general meeting held in Grand River on December 6th, sixty delegates gave a mandate to the board of the Union to negotiate with Groupe GDS, the main promoter of the panel board complex. Only three delegates voted against the motion.
This decision is counter to another motion adopted at the annual meeting of the Union, in April. The members had agreed back then not to guarantee a minimum volume of wood to the Groupe GDS.