Two weeks have been provided by a judge of Miramichi to the companies who belong to financially troubled Atcon to come to the table and find out the best course of action.

The companies, who leased equipment to Atcon, assembled in Miramichi Court of Queen's Bench for five hours of discussions yesterday. Atcon owes upwards of $250-million to various creditors, according to the court affidavits.

Scotia Bank solicitor Josh McElman argued that if the application, under the Company's Creditors Arrangement Act, not be given roughly, employees working on contracts in Alberta would not be given pay cheques.

Tozer, the President and CEO of Miramichi-based Atcon, who received a $50-million loan guarantee from the Provincial Government last spring was compelled into bankruptcy protection last week. Crawford said Atcon was primarily affected by the recession.

"I can't predict how much the province will be out of pocket. I would be hopeful that the number will not be overly significant", said Crawford.

Under the CCAA, the hearing is scheduled to resume in Miramichi on March 15 at 9:30 a. m.