Northern Pulp spokesman David MacKenzie steps down

The man who spoke on behalf of problem-plagued Northern Pulp in Pictou County, Nova Scotia has left his job.

David MacKenzie says he leaves the company with a heavy heart and says he believes the plant is on its way to fixing its emissions problems.

Complaints about the stinking smog generated by the mill have been gaining a lot of attention this year as people in the community, health care workers, the Lung Association and activists including Erin Brockovich increasingly voiced concerns over the potential health impacts caused by the mill'spollution.

MacKenzie says an opportunity came up for a job outside the communications business and he decided to take it.

The Nova Scotia government issued a legally binding order in August giving the problem-plagued Northern Pulp mill in Abercrombie until next spring to clean up its act.

Earlier this month, thousands of spectators attended a concert to raise awareness about the mills air quality issues.