N.L. stalling on tire burning idea: NDP leader

The provincial New Democratic Party is criticizing the government of Newfoundland and Labrador for delaying its decision onatires-for-fuel proposal at a paper mill in western Newfoundland.

"I would see it as a stalling tactic by the government to not deal with this issue during the byelection and I think it would be a real disservice to the people of Corner Brook," said NDP leader Lorraine Michael.

The provincial government was expected to announce Saturday if it would approve a proposal from Kruger to burn used tires as fuel at its paper mill in Corner Brook. Kruger has proposed an eight-day trial that would see a mixture of chipped tires and wood burned at the mill.

The province's decision was deferred for a second time after a cabinet shuffle last week named Ross Wiseman as the new minister of environment, replacing Charlene Johnson.

Michael said the Dunderdale government is politicizing the environmental process.

"The department certainly has had adequate time to study the issue and certainly would have made a recommendation to the past minister [Johnson]," said Michael.

She said the New Democrats plan to make the proposal a campaign issue in the Humber West byelection that will be called this winter to replace the area's former MHA Danny Williams.

Michael wants the provincial government to reject the idea or call a full environmental assessment.

An Environment Department spokesperson told CBC News that a decision on Kruger's proposal could come before Friday.

The Kruger-owned mill proposed burning tires once before, but withdrew the project in late 2005. At the time the proposal had provincial government approval.

If the proposal goes ahead, proponents argue it will help the province get rid of more than two million used tires stored near Placentia.

The province has been looking for an environmentally-friendly way todispose of the tires for years.