Members of the forest industry in Nova Scotia, along with a well-known environmentalist, are pleased with the news that a local company, owned by the Bragg family, has emerged as the successful bidder for the Northern Pulp timberlands. The winning bid was made by Tidnish Holdings Ltd., owned by billionaire John Bragg, for a total of 173,000 hectares of forest and associated assets at a price of $235 million. The deal is pending court approval next week.
The Bragg family, through its company Bragg Lumber, has a strong background in forestry and is poised to become one of the largest landholders in Nova Scotia, following the provincial government. Forest Nova Scotia’s executive director, Todd Burgess, commended the Braggs for their responsible forestry practices and active management of their land.
The local nature of the acquisition has been well-received, providing a sense of stability for the future. The price of the transaction has also attracted attention, with the per-acre cost being lower than typical land sales, but higher compared to past large land transactions in the region. This indicates a long-term vision by the Bragg family for sustainable land management.
Ray Plourde, from the Ecology Action Centre, expressed optimism about the Braggs’ commitment to responsible forestry practices. With the assurance of a stable timber supply, he urged the Nova Scotia government to fulfill its pledge to protect a significant portion of the province’s land and water by 2030.