Paper Excellence Canada is committed to supporting the provinces and communities we operate, especially during challenging times like those experienced in Nova Scotia last year.

In 2023, extreme wildfires devastated Nova Scotia in Shelburne, Barrington, and the Tantallon areas. Following the fires, Paper Excellence wanted to support the rebuilding efforts of the individuals, families, and communities impacted by them.

We immediately donated $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Atlantic Canada Wildfire Support, which received matching contributions from the Government of Canada and the Nova Scotia Government for a $75,000 donation.

Following this, we worked with the Municipality of Barrington, the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia, and the We Rise Again Fund – Shelburne County to discuss how Paper Excellence Canada could support that area.

In October 2023, Paper Excellence announced a $175,000 contribution to support the ongoing recovery efforts for individuals, families, and communities in Shelburne and Barrington, Nova Scotia, who were affected by the wildfires in June 2023. Of the total funds, $115,000 directly supports families rebuilding damaged and destroyed homes, and $60,000 supports the We Rise Again Fund – Shelburne County’s efforts to help community members recover. We’re also grateful for our industry partners, Freeman Lumber and Scotsburn Lumber, who provided more than $66,000 in in-kind lumber to support rebuilding efforts, and Wilson’s Home Hardware Barrington for helping Paper Excellence provide families most in need with building supplies.

We recently donated 6,500 seedlings from our nursery in Debert to the residents of Westwood Hills, Highland Park, Perry Pond, and Yankeetown, whose homes and properties were impacted by the Tantallon-area wildfire. Our contribution includes 1,000 yellow birch, 200 sugar maple, and 5,000 red spruce seedlings, carefully chosen for their resilience and suitability to the local ecosystem. As part of the event, our nursery and forestry team provided guidance and demonstrations on proper planting and tree care, ensuring the best start for these new seedlings.

Nova Scotia’s forestry sector has taken a unique approach to supporting residents in the Tantallon area. Wagner Forest Management Ltd. has been working with the property owners to harvest many of the damaged and destroyed trees. Freeman Lumber and Elmsdale Lumber have sawed the burnt sawlogs and are producing lumber for the community through the harvested trees.

Our commitment to the communities we work extends beyond our day-to-day operations. Through these initiatives, Paper Excellence Canada aims to aid in the immediate recovery and to contribute to the long-term resilience and sustainability of Nova Scotia’s natural environment and its people. We believe in the power of community, partnership, and shared responsibility in facing challenges and building a stronger future together.