Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister touted the clean and green nature of Vale’s nickel processing plant in Long Harbour yesterday.

Chrystia Freeland toured the sprawling facility near Argentia with Vale Canada’s president and CEO, Deshnee Naidoo.

They noted while the processing plant is one of the lowest carbon-producing nickel refineries in the world, the mining operation at Voisey’s Bay still has a long way to go.

The Labrador mine continues to run on diesel, but Naidoo says the company would like to supplement that with wind.

Unfortunately, she says that project has not been “as attractive as we need it to be,” adding federal incentives that would make it more cost-friendly, could help it become a reality.

The Deputy Prime Minister, meanwhile, sought again to clarify why Newfoundland and Labrador is not mentioned in the budget, in reference to the Atlantic Loop.

She says it simply reflects the nature of the current discussions.

Freeland says it was “just a matter of staging” with issues that are most relevant now for Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, adding the Atlantic Loop cannot happen with Newfoundland and Labrador.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland speaks during a news conference following a tour of Vale’s nickel processing plant in Long Harbour. ⁦@VOCMNEWS⁩ pic.twitter.com/2QcITfIRPT

— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) April 5, 2023