Proceedings.

Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd

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Proceeding
Receivership (court-appointed)Section 243(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and Section 39 of the Law and Equity Act
Court
Supreme Court of British Columbia
File
20-1138
Industry
Manufacturing · Wood, paper & printing
Filings held46
Last activity26 May 2026
On the record2,395 days
Secured debtSubscribers
OverviewSummary updated

Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd. remains in court-appointed receivership in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, commenced April 15, 2020 under BIA s. 243 and provincial Judicature Act authority. A Statement of Affairs as at April 14, 2020 puts total liabilities at $272,283,522.59 against total assets of $69,904.00, a deficiency of $272,213,618.59, with secured claims of $248,587,680.89 and unsecured claims of $23,625,937.70. The largest claim is Fulida (Canada) Holdings Ltd. at $235,225,500.00, secured by mortgages over several Port Alice parcels registered September 14, 2007 but valued at nil. The Province of British Columbia claims $13,432,081.89 on security over the same Port Alice properties registered April 14, 2020, of which $13,362,177.89 is carried as unsecured. Unifor Local 514 claims $21,368,000.00, the Village of Port Alice $1,819,283.29, BC Hydro $388,277.04 and the Employment Standards Branch $50,377.37 in wages.

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Case updates46 dated entries
#Report

The officer filed report no. Eighth Report. The Receiver is stabilizing and decommissioning the former mill site, operating water treatment, environmental monitoring and knotweed control. Main Landfill closure works are underway and are expected to complete by March 31, 2027, after which the Receiver can move towards discharge.

Source: Receiver's 8th Report to Court

#Report

The officer filed report no. Trustee's Second Report to Court. The report describes routine estate-administration tasks (OSB filings, website maintenance, monthly bank reconciliations) rather than any active business operations, consistent with a bankruptcy estate being wound down with fees funded by the Province.

Source: Trustee's Second Report to Court

#Report

The officer filed report no. First Report. The Trustee has performed statutory duties (claims adjudication including former employees' priority claims, creditor and inspector meetings, WEPP compliance), estate banking administration, and pursuit of proceeds from pre-bankruptcy asset sales. The Province funds the administration as an adjunct to the receivership.

Source: Trustees First Report to Court

#Report

The officer filed report no. Seventh Report. The Receiver continues de-risking, decommissioning and stabilizing the Mill Site, with FY26 work centred on constructing a lower-slope buttress to enable closure of the Main Landfill, plus ongoing water treatment, environmental monitoring and surface water management. The receivership is expected to conclude only after Main Landfill closure and assessment of the site's future use.

Source: Receiver's 7th Report to the Court

#Report

The officer filed report no. Sixth Report. The Receiver is not operating the business but is conducting environmental monitoring, effluent/water treatment, landfill closure planning, demolition of marine infrastructure and site stabilization at the Mill Site, expected to lead eventually to the conclusion of the receivership.

Source: Receiver's 6th Report to Court

#Report

The officer filed report no. Fifth Report. The Receiver is not operating a business but carrying out de-risking, decommissioning and stabilization of the Mill Site: demolition and asbestos abatement are largely complete, while landfill closure, water treatment and marine demolition continue and have been delayed by unanticipated site conditions.

Source: Receiver's 5th Report to Court

#Report

The officer filed report no. Fourth Report. The debtor's mill is abandoned and the Receiver is decommissioning and stabilizing the Mill Site: removing hazardous materials, demolishing buildings, treating effluent, and planning closure of the Main Landfill and marine infrastructure demolition, subject to regulatory approvals.

Source: Receiver's 4th Report to Court

#Report

The officer filed report no. Third Report. The Receiver continues de-risking and remediating the Port Alice mill site: removing hazardous chemicals and sludge, treating effluent, demolishing site infrastructure, and planning landfill closure, hog fuel disposal and marine infrastructure demolition. Further borrowing of $27.4 million is sought to fund work through March 31, 2023.

Source: Receiver's 3rd Report to Court

#Sale

The court granted an approval and vesting order for the sale to Emily Spiteri. Closing terms, as extracted: Vacant possession delivered at 12:00 p.m. on the Possession Date; Receiver may extend closing by up to 10 days.

Source: Order (Sale Approval and Vesting Order)

#Report

The officer filed report no. Second Report. The mill is not operating; the Receiver is maintaining and securing the site, treating and removing effluent and spent sulfite liquor, disposing of hazardous chemicals, and preparing for demolition. It sought an increase in its borrowing charge from $17 million to $39.743 million to fund these activities to March 31, 2022, and court approval of the sale of the Misty Manor condo for $97,500.

Source: Receiver's 2nd Report to Court

#Report

The officer filed report no. First Report. The Mill has been idle since 2019 and the Receiver is managing it for environmental risk reduction, not production. Its work covers site security, environmental monitoring, effluent treatment and removal of hazardous materials, and the Receiver seeks to raise its borrowing limit from $8 million to $17 million to fund this to March 31, 2021.

Source: Receiver's 1st Report to Court

#Report

The officer filed a report. The Company has not operated since a curtailment announced in February 2015; the remaining care and maintenance crew vacated the Mill on February 27, 2019, and the Province has since carried out spill response and security at the site.

Source: Trustee's Preliminary Report to Creditors

#Order

The court appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. as Receiver, on the application of Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of British Columbia. Court file S-B-201343.

Source: Receivership Order

Parties

Debtor

Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd

Receiver

PwC

Bench and counselPer the orders and service lists on the record

Bench

JudgeCourtOn this docketCases on record
Justice FitzpatrickSupreme Court of British Columbia5 orders, Apr 2020 – May 202660 cases on record

Counsel of record

PartyCounselFirst seenSource
ReceiverPwCFasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP21 Apr 2020Service list · 21 Apr 2020
CreditorBritish Columbia Hydro and Power AuthorityInnovative Legal Solutions LLP21 Apr 2020Service list · 21 Apr 2020
CreditorQuatsino First NationDonovan & Company5 May 2023Application · 30 May 2024
CreditorUnifor Local 514Victory Square Law Office · Ministry of Attorney General, Legal Services21 Apr 2020Application · 5 May 2023
Capital structureAs asserted in the filings
stated amounts, drawn to scale · for subscribers
#Priority classCreditorAmountSource
4SecuredFulida (Canada) Holdings Ltd.Real property/immovable mortgages over multiple Port Alice parcels (#306, 791 Marine Drive; 200 Totem Way; 300 Totem Way; 930 Marine Drive x3; Industrial Way), registered 14-Sep-2007 — Estimated value of security stated as $0.00 for each parcel per List B; estimated surplus from security $235,225,500.00 recorded in totals column - likely a balance figure carried to total; unsecured List A also shows balance of claim $235,225,500.00 for same creditor. — debtor: Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd. · as of 14 Apr 2020$235MForm 78 - Statement of Affairs (includes list of creditors)
4Secured
4Secured
4Secured
4Secured
8Unsecured
8Unsecured
8Unsecured
8Unsecured
8Unsecured

13 more claims in 2 classes The stack holds Secured and Unsecured claims.

Every creditor and every amount, drawn to scale.

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Sale processAs stated in the filings

Sale approved — Sale transaction approved by the CourtOrder (Sale Approval and Vesting Order) · 21 May 2021

Qualified bids

2

Receiver's 2nd Report to Court

PurchaserPriceStatusSource
Emily Spiterithe Purchased Assets described in the Sale Agreement and enumerated in the attached Schedule "B" hereto · real property · agreement 22 Mar 2021SubscribersApproved21 May 2021Order (Sale Approval and Vesting Order)
Closing termsVacant possession delivered at 12:00 p.m. on the Possession Date; Receiver may extend closing by up to 10 days.Order (Sale Approval and Vesting Order)
RecoveriesAs declared or paid

Unsecured creditors: no distribution. Bank of China (Canada) paid in full.Trustees First Report to Court · 27 May 2025

ClassCreditorClaimsRecoveryBasisSource
SecuredBank of China (Canada)—paid in fullFinalper the trusteeTrustees First Report to Court · 27 May 2025
Unsecured——no distributionper the trusteeTrustees First Report to Court · 27 May 2025

Each row is one filing's statement, copied as it reads and never computed. "Estimated" is the officer's forecast; "Under the plan" is the plan's or proposal's own term; "Final" is a declared or paid distribution; a row with no chip states no footing. A range is the two numbers stated; "of proven claims" is the document's own denominator.

Fees and ratesAs stated in the filings

7 engagements · 1 firm — latest: PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., 1 May 2025 – 31 Mar 2026Trustee's Second Report to Court · 14 May 2026

FirmPeriodHoursFeesRatesSource
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.Trusteeperiod 7 of 71 May 2025 – 31 Mar 2026——not statedTrustee's Second Report to Court · 14 May 2026
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.Trusteeperiod 7 of 7to 31 Mar 20262 peopleTrustee's Second Report to Court · 14 May 2026
2 people — PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., to 31 Mar 2026 · 6 blurred figures
NameTitleHoursRateFees
Selena ChiangSenior Associate
Felicia TomlinsonAssociate
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.Trusteeperiod 5 of 7to 30 Sep 2025—2 peopleTrustee's Second Report to Court · 14 May 2026
2 people — PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., to 30 Sep 2025 · 6 blurred figures
NameTitleHoursRateFees
Selena ChiangSenior Associate
Felicia TomlinsonAssociate
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.Trusteeperiod 4 of 7to 31 Aug 20252 peopleTrustee's Second Report to Court · 14 May 2026
2 people — PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., to 31 Aug 2025 · 6 blurred figures
NameTitleHoursRateFees
Selena ChiangSenior Associate
Felicia TomlinsonAssociate
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.Trusteeperiod 3 of 7to 31 Jul 20252 peopleTrustee's Second Report to Court · 14 May 2026
2 people — PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., to 31 Jul 2025 · 6 blurred figures
NameTitleHoursRateFees
Selena ChiangSenior Associate
Felicia TomlinsonAssociate
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.Trusteeperiod 2 of 7to 30 Jun 20252 peopleTrustee's Second Report to Court · 14 May 2026
2 people — PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., to 30 Jun 2025 · 6 blurred figures
NameTitleHoursRateFees
Selena ChiangAssociate
Felicia TomlinsonAssociate
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.Trusteeperiod 1 of 7to 31 May 20252 peopleTrustee's Second Report to Court · 14 May 2026
2 people — PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., to 31 May 2025 · 6 blurred figures
NameTitleHoursRateFees
Kirandeep ChahalManager
Selena ChiangAssociate

53 blurred figures above

What the firm billed, and each person’s hours and rate — each as the filing states it, with its source.

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Estate financialsReported figures — never derived
Total liabilities at filing

As at ·

Cumulative receipts

$27.9K

As at 27 May 2025Trustees First Report to Court

Cumulative disbursements

As at

Cash on hand

As at

Professional fees

As at

3 more reported figures, and the total the debtor stated at filing

Each one as the filing states it, with its source.

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Documents
46 filings
DateDocumentFile
Order (Approval of Trustee's Accounts)
  • Presiding officer Justice Fitzpatrick
PDF · Subscribers
Order (Increase Receiver's Borrowing and Appoval of Activities and Fees)PDF · Subscribers
Affidavit #7 of Fergus McDonnell sworn May 19, 2026PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application filed May 15, 2026 for Increase in Borrowings and Approval of Receiver's Activities and Fees
  • Counsel Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application filed May 15, 2026 to Approve Trustee's Accounts
  • Counsel Donovan & Company
PDF · Subscribers
Receiver's 8th Report to Court
  • Operational summary The Receiver is stabilizing and decommissioning the former mill site, operating water treatment, environmental monitoring and knotweed control. Main Landfill closure works are underway and are expected to complete by March 31, 2027, after which the Receiver can move towards discharge.
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position Subscribers
  • + 5 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Trustee's Second Report to Court
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Fee schedule · Financial position Subscribers
  • + 5 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Affidavit #5 of F. McDonnell filed May 28, 2025PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application filed May 28, 2025 for Increase in Borrowings and Approval of Activities and FeesPDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application filed May 28, 2025 to Approve Trustee's AccountsPDF · Subscribers
Receiver's 7th Report to the Court
  • Operational summary The Receiver continues de-risking, decommissioning and stabilizing the Mill Site, with FY26 work centred on constructing a lower-slope buttress to enable closure of the Main Landfill, plus ongoing water treatment, environmental monitoring and surface water management. The receivership is expected to conclude only after Main Landfill closure and assessment of the site's future use.
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position Subscribers
  • + 4 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Trustees First Report to Court
  • Operational summary The Trustee has performed statutory duties (claims adjudication including former employees' priority claims, creditor and inspector meetings, WEPP compliance), estate banking administration, and pursuit of proceeds from pre-bankruptcy asset sales. The Province funds the administration as an adjunct to the receivership.
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position Subscribers
  • + 5 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Order (Borrowing Charge, Receiver's Fees)PDF · Subscribers
Affidavit #4 of Fergus McDonnell filed May 30, 2024PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application filed May 30, 2024
  • Counsel Donovan & Company
PDF · Subscribers
Receiver's 6th Report to Court
  • Operational summary The Receiver is not operating the business but is conducting environmental monitoring, effluent/water treatment, landfill closure planning, demolition of marine infrastructure and site stabilization at the Mill Site, expected to lead eventually to the conclusion of the receivership.
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position Subscribers
  • + 4 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Order (Borrowing Charge
  • Presiding officer Justice Fitzpatrick
PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application filed March 27, 2024
  • Counsel Victory Square Law Office LLP
PDF · Subscribers
Receiver's 5th Report to Court
  • Operational summary The Receiver is not operating a business but carrying out de-risking, decommissioning and stabilization of the Mill Site: demolition and asbestos abatement are largely complete, while landfill closure, water treatment and marine demolition continue and have been delayed by unanticipated site conditions.
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position Subscribers
  • + 4 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Affidavit #3 of Fergus McDonnell filed May 5, 2023PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application filed May 5, 2023
  • Counsel Victory Square Law Office LLP
PDF · Subscribers
Receiver's 4th Report to Court
  • Operational summary The debtor's mill is abandoned and the Receiver is decommissioning and stabilizing the Mill Site: removing hazardous materials, demolishing buildings, treating effluent, and planning closure of the Main Landfill and marine infrastructure demolition, subject to regulatory approvals.
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position Subscribers
  • + 4 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Affidavit #2 of Fergus McDonnell filed May 3, 2022PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application returnable May 10, 2022PDF · Subscribers
Receiver's 3rd Report to Court
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position · Operational summary Subscribers
  • + 4 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Order (Sale Approval and Vesting Order)
  • Closing terms Vacant possession delivered at 12:00 p.m. on the Possession Date; Receiver may extend closing by up to 10 days.
  • Order date 21 May 2021
  • Presiding officer Justice Fitzpatrick
  • Purchaser Emily Spiteri · the Purchased Assets described in the Sale Agreement and enumerated in the attached Schedule "B" hereto · real property · approved
  • + 2 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Affidavit #1 of Fergus McDonnell filed May 17, 2021PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application returnable May 21, 2021PDF · Subscribers
Receiver's 2nd Report to Court
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position · Operational summary Subscribers
  • + 8 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Order Made After Application (Increase in Receiver Borrowings)PDF · Subscribers
Application Record Returnable September 24, 2020PDF · Subscribers
Notice of Application returnable September 24, 2020PDF · Subscribers
Receiver's 1st Report to Court
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position · Operational summary Subscribers
  • + 4 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Trustee's Preliminary Report to Creditors
  • Operational summary The Company has not operated since a curtailment announced in February 2015; the remaining care and maintenance crew vacated the Mill on February 27, 2019, and the Province has since carried out spill response and security at the site.
  • Cash on hand · Disbursements · Financial position Subscribers
  • + 4 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Form 74 - Reclamation of PropertyPDF · Subscribers
Notice and Statement of Receiver
PDF · Subscribers
Certificate of Filing from the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy
  • Appointee PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
  • Appointee role Licensed Insolvency Trustee
  • Commencement date 14 April 2020
  • Court file no 20-1138
  • + 1 more extracted fact
PDF · Subscribers
Form 68 - Notice of Bankruptcy & First Meeting of Creditors
PDF · Subscribers
Form 78 - Statement of Affairs (includes list of creditors)
  • Financial position · Secured creditors · Unsecured creditors Subscribers
PDF · Subscribers
Proof of claim & ProxyPDF · Subscribers
Service List
  • Counsel Innovative Legal Solutions LLP
PDF · Subscribers
Bankruptcy Order
  • Applicant Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of British Columbia
  • Appointee PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
  • Appointee role trustee
  • Commencement date 14 April 2020
  • + 5 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Receivership Order
  • Applicant Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of British Columbia
  • Appointee PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
  • Appointee role Receiver
  • Commencement date 14 April 2020
  • + 5 more extracted facts
PDF · Subscribers
Affidavit #1 of K. Butterworth filed April 3, 2020PDF · Subscribers
Affidavit #1 of S. Raskovsky filed April 3, 2020PDF · Subscribers
Petition to the Court filed April 3, 2020PDF · Subscribers

Filing titles and dates are public, and so is each filing's own page. The figures read from them are for subscribers.

CiteProceedings., “Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd” (Receivership (court-appointed)), Supreme Court of British Columbia. Retrieved 5 November 2026, https://proceedings.ca/case/neucel-specialty-cellulose-ltd

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Sources last checked · summary updated 5 September 2026 · Report a correction · Printed from proceedings.ca/case/neucel-specialty-cellulose-ltd

Facts and summaries are extracted automatically from the court filings linked on each page; the filings remain the authoritative record. Suggested corrections are reviewed against the source filings.