Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.15

                          STERLING PULP CHEMICALS, LTD.

                                 as Corporation

                                  in favour of

                         CIT BUSINESS CREDIT CANADA INC.

                                    as Holder

                                       and

                                   THE LENDERS

                               (as defined herein)

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                                DEMAND DEBENTURE

                                  JULY 11, 2001

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                                STIKEMAN ELLIOTT

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<Table>
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
                                                   ARTICLE 1
                                        ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS

Section 1.1     Acknowledgement..............................................................................1

                                                   ARTICLE 2
                                                   SECURITY

Section 2.1     Terms Incorporated by Reference..............................................................1
Section 2.2     Grant of Security............................................................................1
Section 2.3     Corporation's Dealings with Charged Premises.................................................3
Section 2.4     Scope of Security............................................................................4
Section 2.5     Protective Disbursements.....................................................................4
Section 2.6     Attachment...................................................................................5

                                                   ARTICLE 3
                                                  ENFORCEMENT

Section 3.1     Enforcement..................................................................................5
Section 3.2     Remedies.....................................................................................5
Section 3.3     Additional Rights............................................................................6
Section 3.4     Receiver's Powers............................................................................6
Section 3.5     Dealing with the Charged Premises............................................................7
Section 3.6     Standards of Sale............................................................................8
Section 3.7     Dealings by Third Parties....................................................................8
Section 3.8     No Right of Set-Off..........................................................................8
Section 3.9     No Merger or Novation........................................................................9
Section 3.10    Presentation of Debenture....................................................................9
Section 3.11    Appointment of Attorney......................................................................9
Section 3.12    Crystallization of Floating Charge...........................................................9

                                                   ARTICLE 4
                                                    GENERAL

Section 4.1     Discharge....................................................................................9
Section 4.2     Reimbursement of Holder's Expenses..........................................................10
Section 4.3     Waiver of Covenants.........................................................................10
Section 4.4     Further Assurances..........................................................................10
Section 4.5     Successors and Assigns......................................................................10
Section 4.6     Gender and Number...........................................................................10
Section 4.7     Headings, etc...............................................................................11
Section 4.8     Severability................................................................................11
Section 4.9     Governing Law...............................................................................11
Section 4.10    Right of Consolidation......................................................................11
</Table>

                                    SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE "A" REAL PROPERTY

                                       (i)
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                                      -1-

                                DEMAND DEBENTURE

                          STERLING PULP CHEMICALS, LTD.

     (a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario)

PRINCIPAL SUM:    SEVENTY-FIVE MILLION CANADIAN DOLLARS
                  (Cdn $75,000,000.00)

ISSUE DATE:       July 11, 2001

DUE:              ON DEMAND

INTEREST RATE:    Twenty-five (25%) per cent per annum

                                   ARTICLE 1
                         ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS

SECTION 1.1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

         Sterling Pulp Chemicals, Ltd. (the "CORPORATION"), a corporation
incorporated and existing under the laws of the Province of Ontario, for value
received, acknowledges itself indebted and promises to pay ON DEMAND, to or to
the order of CIT Business Credit Canada Inc., as agent (CIT Business Credit
Canada Inc. and any subsequent holder or holders of this debenture being
sometimes referred to as the "HOLDER") on behalf of itself and for the benefit
of the Lenders (as defined in the Financing Agreement dated July 11, 2001
between the Corporation and the Holder) the principal sum of Seventy-Five
Million Dollars (Cdn.$75,000,000.00) in lawful money of Canada on presentation
and surrender of this debenture at the offices of the Holder at 207 Queen's Quay
West, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7 or at such other place as the Holder
may designate by notice in writing to the Corporation, and in the meantime to
pay interest in like money on the principal sum monthly from this date at the
rate per annum of twenty-five per cent (25%) on the last day of each month,
before and after demand and after judgment, with interest on overdue interest at
the same rate, the first such payment of interest to become due and be paid on
the last day of the month immediately following this date or such earlier day as
such principal sum shall be repaid in full.

                                    ARTICLE 2
                                    SECURITY

SECTION 2.1 TERMS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

         Terms defined in the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) (as
amended from time to time, the "PPSA") and used in this debenture shall have the
same meanings.

SECTION 2.2 GRANT OF SECURITY.

         Subject to Section 2.4, as security for the due payment of all moneys
payable under this debenture, the Corporation:

         (a)      grants, assigns, conveys, transfers, mortgages, pledges and
                  charges, as and by way of a fixed and specific mortgage,
                  charge and pledge, to and in favour of the Holder for itself
                  and on behalf of the Lenders and otherwise grants to the
                  Holder for itself and on behalf of the Lenders a security
                  interest in, all of the Corporation's right, title and
                  interest in and to all of its property, assets, rights and
                  undertaking, real and personal, movable or immovable, tangible
                  and intangible, legal or

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                                      -2-

                  equitable, of whatsoever nature and kind, wheresoever located,
                  both present and future including, without limitation:

                  (i)      all real and immovable property, both freehold and
                           leasehold, and other interests in such property
                           (collectively, the "REAL PROPERTY") wheresoever
                           situate, now owned or hereafter acquired by the
                           Corporation including, without limitation, the real
                           property and leased property described in Schedule
                           "A" and all rights, leases, licences, easements,
                           rights-of-way, profits a prendre, appurtenances,
                           privileges, concessions, claims, works, tenements,
                           hereditaments and interests in real property with
                           respect to the Real Property (and all renewals,
                           extensions and amendments or substitutions thereof)
                           and all other facilities relating to or required for
                           use in connection with the Real Property, and all
                           buildings, erections, structures, improvements,
                           underground facilities, power, fuel and water supply,
                           storage, waste disposal, roads and other
                           transportation facilities and fixed plant, machinery
                           and equipment presently situated on or under the Real
                           Property or which may at any time hereafter be
                           constructed or brought or placed on or under the Real
                           Property or used in connection with the Real
                           Property;

                  (ii)     all furniture, goods, chattels, accessories,
                           fixtures, equipment, machinery, tools, apparatus,
                           vehicles, milling, processing, service, storage and
                           other related infrastructures and other tangible
                           personal property of every kind and description now
                           owned or hereafter acquired, wherever situate;

                  (iii)    all inventory including goods held for sale, lease or
                           resale, goods furnished or to be furnished to third
                           parties under contracts of lease, consignment or
                           service, goods which are raw materials or work in
                           process, goods used in or procured for packing and
                           materials used or consumed in the business of the
                           Corporation;

                  (iv)     all intangibles of whatever kind in which the
                           Corporation now or hereafter has any interest
                           including, without limitation, all security
                           interests, goodwill, demands and choses in action,
                           licenses and other contractual benefits or rights and
                           all trade marks, trade mark registrations and pending
                           trade mark applications, patents and pending patent
                           applications and copyrights and industrial designs
                           and other intellectual property now or hereafter
                           owned by the Corporation;

                  (v)      all studies, plans, blueprints, designs, records,
                           files, charts, drawings, specifications, manuals,
                           bills of lading and other documents of title, whether
                           negotiable or otherwise;

                  (vi)     the proceeds of any insurance or expropriation
                           payable or due in respect of any damage to or taking
                           of all or any part of the Charged Premises (as
                           hereinafter defined), the proceeds of any business
                           interruption insurance and any property in any form
                           derived directly or indirectly from any dealings with
                           all or any part of the Charged Premises or that
                           indemnifies or compensates for the loss, destruction
                           or damage to all or any part of the Charged Premises;

                  (vii)    all debts, accounts, claims, moneys and choses in
                           action now owned or hereafter acquired, including,
                           without limitation, all

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                           instruments, securities, chattel paper, bills, notes
                           and other documents in respect of such debts,
                           accounts, claims, moneys or choses in action;

                  (viii)   all authorizations, orders, permits, approvals,
                           grants, licences, consents, rights, franchises,
                           privileges, certificates, judgments, writs,
                           injunctions, awards, determinations, directions,
                           decrees, demands or the like issued or granted by law
                           or by rule or regulation of any office, board, agency
                           or department, governmental or otherwise, now or
                           hereafter issued or granted to it;

                  (ix)     all documents, certificates, policies, agreements,
                           invoices, letters and papers relating to the property
                           described in Section 2.2(a)(i)-(viii) inclusive or
                           otherwise; and

                  (x)      substitutions and replacements of and increases,
                           additions and, where applicable, accessions to the
                           property described in Section 2.2(a)(i)-(ix)
                           inclusive and all proceeds thereof; and

         (b)      grants, mortgages and charges, as and by way of a floating
                  charge, to and in favour of the Holder for itself and on
                  behalf of the Lenders and otherwise grants to the Holder for
                  itself and on behalf of the Lenders a security interest in,
                  all of its undertakings, properties and assets, including Real
                  Property, both present and future, of every nature and kind
                  and wherever situate, except such of its undertakings,
                  properties and assets as are validly subject to the fixed and
                  specific mortgages, charges, pledges and security interests
                  granted pursuant to Section 2.2(a). The floating charge shall
                  in no way hinder or prevent the Corporation, until the
                  Security (as hereinafter defined) shall have become
                  enforceable, from disposing of or dealing with the subject
                  matter of the floating charge in the ordinary course of
                  business and for purposes of carrying on the same; provided
                  that such action is not in breach of any specific provision
                  of, or covenant in, this debenture.

(In this debenture, the grants, mortgages, charges and security interests
constituted by this debenture are called the "SECURITY" and the subject matter
of the Security is called the "CHARGED PREMISES".) The Security shall be
effective whether or not any monies or liabilities so secured shall be advanced
or incurred before or after or at the same time as this debenture is issued and
shall remain effective until such time as this debenture is discharged as
provided in Section 4.1 irrespective of whether, at any prior time, there may
have been no indebtedness, liabilities or obligations (direct, indirect,
absolute, contingent or otherwise) of the Corporation to the Holder and the
Lenders outstanding.

SECTION 2.3 CORPORATION'S DEALINGS WITH CHARGED PREMISES.

         The Corporation shall not, without the prior written agreement of the
Holder: (i) sell, transfer, assign, exchange, lease, release or abandon or
otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Charged Premises except for Charged
Premises consisting of inventory sold or leased at full value in the ordinary
course of its business and for the purpose of carrying on the same; or, (ii)
permit, create, assume, suffer or cause the registration of any debt, lien,
charge, mortgage, debenture, hypothec, pledge, security agreement, security
interest, or any other encumbrance or privilege whatsoever upon, against or with
respect to any or any part of the Charged Premises subsequent to the granting of
this debenture. Except with the prior written agreement of the Holder, any
proceeds of such sale or lease shall be held by the Corporation in trust for the
Holder for itself and on behalf of the Lenders and, at the

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request of the Holder, shall be paid immediately to the Holder for itself and on
behalf of the Lenders.

SECTION 2.4 SCOPE OF SECURITY.

(1)      The Security shall not extend or apply to the last day of the term of
         any lease or sublease of real property or agreement therefor, now held
         or hereafter acquired by the Corporation but the Corporation shall
         stand possessed of any such last day upon trust to assign and dispose
         of it as the Holder may direct.

(2)      To the extent that an assignment to the Holder for itself and on behalf
         of the Lenders of amounts payable and other proceeds arising under or
         in connection with any agreement, license, permit or quota of the
         Corporation (each, a "RESTRICTED ASSET") is prohibited by the terms
         thereof, the Corporation shall hold as trustee all proceeds arising
         under or in connection with such Restricted Asset in trust for the
         Holder for itself and on behalf of the Lenders on the following basis:

                  (i)      until the Security has become enforceable, the
                           Corporation shall be entitled to receive all such
                           proceeds; and

                  (ii)     whenever the Security has become enforceable, all
                           rights of the Corporation to receive such proceeds
                           shall cease, the Corporation shall at the request of
                           the Holder take all such actions to collect and
                           enforce payment and other rights arising under the
                           Restricted Asset in accordance with the instructions
                           of the Holder and all such proceeds arising under or
                           in connection with the Restricted Asset shall be
                           immediately paid over to the Holder for itself and on
                           behalf of the Lenders.

         The Corporation shall not exercise any rights of set-off with respect
         to amounts payable under or in connection with any Restricted Asset and
         shall use its best efforts to ensure that no other party to the
         Restricted Asset shall exercise any rights of set-off against the
         amount payable thereunder. The Corporation shall use its best efforts
         to obtain the consent of each other party to the Restricted Asset to
         the assignment of the Restricted Asset to the Holder for itself and on
         behalf of the Lenders in accordance with this debenture and shall use
         its best efforts to ensure that all agreements entered into on and
         after the date hereof expressly permit assignments of the benefits of
         such agreements as collateral security to the Holder for itself and on
         behalf of the Lenders in accordance with the terms of this debenture.

(3)      The Security shall not extend to consumer goods.

SECTION 2.5 PROTECTIVE DISBURSEMENTS.

         If the Corporation fails to perform any of its covenants in this
debenture or otherwise, then the Holder may, in its absolute discretion, perform
any covenant capable of being performed by it and, if the covenant requires the
payment or expenditure of money, the Holder may make the payment but shall be
under no obligation to do so. All sums so paid or expended by the Holder shall
be immediately payable by the Corporation, shall bear interest at the rate set
forth in this debenture and shall be secured by this debenture, having the
benefit of the Security in priority to the indebtedness evidenced by this
debenture. No such performance or payment shall relieve the Corporation from any
default under this debenture or the consequences of such default.

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SECTION 2.6 ATTACHMENT.

(1)      With respect to the personal property hereby secured, the Corporation
         and the Holder hereby acknowledge that (i) value has been given; (ii)
         the Corporation has rights in the Charged Premises (other than
         after-acquired Charged Premises); (iii) except as contemplated by
         Section 2.4, they have not agreed to postpone the time of attachment of
         the Security; and (iv) the Corporation has received a copy of this
         debenture.

(2)      The Corporation agrees to promptly inform the Holder in writing of the
         acquisition by the Corporation of any Charged Premises which are not
         adequately described herein, and the Corporation agrees to execute and
         deliver at its own expense from time to time amendments to this
         debenture or the schedules hereto or additional security or schedules
         as may be required by the Holder in order that the Security shall
         attach to any Charged Premises. The Corporation shall promptly inform
         the Holder in writing of any other location at which the Charged
         Premises may in future be located.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                                   ENFORCEMENT

SECTION 3.1 ENFORCEMENT.

         If the Corporation fails to repay the principal amount, interest and
other amounts owing under this debenture on demand or otherwise when the same
shall become due and payable or if the Corporation breaches any other agreement
or covenant it has given to the Holder or the Lenders, the Security shall become
enforceable against the Corporation.

SECTION 3.2 REMEDIES.

(1)      Whenever the Security has become enforceable, the Holder may realize
         upon the Charged Premises and enforce its rights by:

         (a)      entry into possession of the Charged Premises;

         (b)      proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for the
                  appointment of a receiver (which term as used in this
                  debenture includes a receiver and manager) of all or any part
                  of the Charged Premises;

         (c)      proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for sale or
                  foreclosure of all or any part of the Charged Premises;

         (d)      filing of proofs of claim and other documents to establish its
                  claims to the Charged Premises in any proceeding relating to
                  the Corporation;

         (e)      the appointment by instrument in writing of a receiver of all
                  or any part of the Charged Premises and removal or replacement
                  from time to time of any such receiver;

         (f)      the sale or lease of all or any part of the Charged Premises;
                  and

         (g)      any other remedy or proceeding authorized or permitted in this
                  debenture or otherwise by law or equity.

(2)      Such remedies may be exercised from time to time separately or in
         combination and are in addition to, and not in substitution for, any
         other rights of the Holder or the Lenders however created. The Holder
         shall not be bound to exercise any right or remedy and the exercise of
         any right or remedy shall be without prejudice to any other rights of
         the Holder or the Lenders including the right to claim for deficiency.
         The taking of any action

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         or proceeding or refraining from so doing, or any other dealings with
         any other security for the monies secured by this debenture shall not
         release or affect the Security.

SECTION 3.3 ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.

(1)      In addition to the rights of the Holder and the Lenders set forth in
         Section 3.2, the Holder may, for itself and on behalf of the Lenders
         whenever the Security has become enforceable:

         (a)      require the Corporation, at the Corporation's expense, to
                  assemble the Charged Premises which is not the Real Property
                  at the locations of the Real Property or elsewhere as
                  reasonably requested by the Holder;

         (b)      require the Corporation, by notice in writing, to disclose to
                  the Holder the location or locations of the Charged Premises
                  and the Corporation agrees to make such disclosure when so
                  required by the Holder;

         (c)      repair, process, modify, complete or otherwise deal with the
                  Charged Premises, and prepare for the disposition of the
                  Charged Premises, whether on the premises of the Corporation
                  or otherwise;

         (d)      carry on all or any part of the business of the Corporation
                  and, to the exclusion of all others including the Corporation,
                  enter upon, occupy and use all or any of the premises,
                  buildings and other property of or used by the Corporation for
                  such time as the Holder sees fit, free of charge, and neither
                  the Holder nor the Lenders shall be liable to the Corporation
                  for any act, omission or negligence in so doing or for any
                  rent, charges, depreciation or damages incurred in that
                  connection;

         (e)      borrow for the purpose of carrying on the business of the
                  Corporation or for the maintenance, preservation or protection
                  of the Charged Premises and mortgage, charge or grant a
                  security interest in the Charged Premises, whether or not in
                  priority to the Security, to secure repayment; and

         (f)      demand, commence, continue or defend any judicial or
                  administrative proceedings for the purpose of protecting,
                  seizing, collecting, realizing or obtaining possession or
                  payment of the Charged Premises, and give good and valid
                  receipts and discharges and compromise or give time for the
                  payment or performance of all or any part of the accounts or
                  any other obligation of any third party to the Corporation.

SECTION 3.4 RECEIVER'S POWERS.

(1)      Any receiver appointed by the Holder shall be vested with the rights
         and remedies which could have been exercised by the Holder in respect
         of the Corporation or the Charged Premises and such other powers and
         discretions as are granted in the instrument of appointment and any
         supplemental instruments. The identity of the receiver, any replacement
         and any remuneration shall be within the sole and unfettered discretion
         of the Holder.

(2)      Any receiver appointed by the Holder shall act as agent for the Holder
         and the Lenders for the purposes of taking possession of the Charged
         Premises, but otherwise and for all other purposes (except as provided
         below), as agent for the Corporation. The receiver may sell, lease, or
         otherwise dispose of Charged Premises as agent for the Corporation or
         as agent for the Holder and the Lenders as the Holder may determine in
         its discretion. The Corporation agrees to ratify and confirm all
         actions of the receiver acting as agent for the Corporation, and to
         release and indemnify the receiver in respect of all such actions.

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(3)      The Holder, in appointing or refraining from appointing any receiver,
         shall not incur liability to the receiver, the Corporation or otherwise
         and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence of such
         receiver.

(4)      All moneys from time to time received by the receiver may be applied as
         follows (i) first, in discharge of all operating expenses and other
         outgoings affecting the Charged Premises, (ii) second, in keeping in
         good standing all charges and liens on the Charged Premises having
         priority over the Security, (iii) third, in payment of the remuneration
         and disbursements of the receiver, (iv) fourth, in payment to the
         Holder for itself and on behalf of the Lenders of the moneys payable
         hereunder, and (v) the balance, if any, shall be paid to the
         Corporation or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise
         direct.

SECTION 3.5 DEALING WITH THE CHARGED PREMISES.

(1)      The Holder and the Lenders shall not be obliged to exhaust their
         recourse against the Corporation or any other person or against any
         other security they may hold before realizing upon or otherwise dealing
         with the Charged Premises in such manner as they may consider
         desirable.

(2)      The Holder and the Lenders may grant extensions or other indulgences,
         take and give up securities, accept compositions, grant releases and
         discharges and otherwise deal with the Corporation and with other
         persons, sureties or securities as they may see fit without prejudice
         to the obligations and liability of the Corporation or the rights of
         the Holder and the Lenders in respect of the Charged Premises.

(3)      The Holder and the Lenders shall not be (i) liable or accountable for
         any failure to collect, realize or obtain payment in respect of the
         Charged Premises, (ii) bound to institute proceedings for the purpose
         of collecting, enforcing, realizing or obtaining payment of the Charged
         Premises or for the purpose of preserving any rights of any persons in
         respect of the Charged Premises, (iii) responsible for any loss
         occasioned by any sale or other dealing with the Charged Premises or by
         the retention of or failure to sell or otherwise deal with the Charged
         Premises, or (iv) bound to protect the Charged Premises from
         depreciating in value or becoming worthless, save, in each case, as may
         be provided by law.

(4)      The Holder and the Lenders shall have no obligation to keep
         identifiable Charged Premises in its possession consisting of fungible
         personal property.

(5)      The Corporation hereby expressly authorizes and directs the Holder,
         whenever the Security has become enforceable, to collect, demand, sue
         for, enforce, adjust, settle, recover and receive all of the debts and
         moneys comprising the Charged Premises, in the name of the Corporation
         or in the Holder's own name, and to give valid and binding receipts and
         discharges therefor and in respect thereof, the whole to the same
         extent and with the same effect as if the Holder were the absolute
         owner thereof and without regard to the state of accounts between the
         Corporation and the Holder and the Lenders. The Holder shall only be
         accountable for proceeds when the same are actually received in cash,
         notwithstanding that the Holder may have transferred title to or
         possession of the debts or moneys comprising the Charged Premises or
         any part thereof and may have taken back a debt instrument, security or
         other obligation therefor. The Holder may, after the Security shall
         have become enforceable, (i) notify any person obligated on an account
         or on chattel paper or any obligor on an instrument to make payment
         thereunder to the Holder whether or not the Corporation was theretofore
         making collections thereon; and (ii) assume control of any proceeds
         arising from the Charged Premises.

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                                      -8-

SECTION 3.6 STANDARDS OF SALE.

(1)      Without prejudice to the ability of the Holder and the Lenders to
         dispose of the Charged Premises in any manner which is commercially
         reasonable, the Corporation acknowledges that whenever the Security has
         become enforceable, and except as required by law:

         (a)      the Charged Premises may be disposed of in whole or in part;

         (b)      the Charged Premises may be disposed of by public auction,
                  public tender or private contract, with or without advertising
                  and without any other formality;

         (c)      any assignee of the Charged Premises may be a customer of the
                  Holder or the Lenders;

         (d)      a disposition of the Charged Premises may be on such terms and
                  conditions as to credit or otherwise as the Holder, in its
                  sole discretion, may deem advantageous; and

         (e)      the Holder may establish an upset or reserve bid or price in
                  respect of the Charged Premises.

         (f)      the Holder or any of the Lenders, jointly or severally, may
                  become a purchaser at any sale of the Charged Premises whether
                  made under the power of sale herein contained or pursuant to
                  foreclosure or other judicial proceedings; and

         (g)      the Holder may rescind or vary any contract of sale that may
                  have been entered into and re-sell with or under any of the
                  powers conferred herein or adjourn any such sale from time to
                  time.

SECTION 3.7 DEALINGS BY THIRD PARTIES.

(1)      No person dealing with the Holder or its agent or a receiver shall be
         required to determine (i) whether the Security has become enforceable,
         (ii) whether the powers which the Holder or its agent or a receiver is
         purporting to exercise have become exercisable, (iii) whether any money
         remains due upon the Security, (iv) the necessity or expediency of the
         stipulations and conditions subject to which any sale or lease is made,
         (v) the propriety or regularity of any sale or any other dealing by the
         Holder or its agent or a receiver with the Charged Premises, or (vi)
         how any money paid to the Holder has been applied.

(2)      Any purchaser of all or any part of the Charged Premises shall hold the
         Charged Premises absolutely, free from any claim or right of whatever
         kind, including any equity of redemption, of the Corporation, which it
         specifically waives (to the fullest extent permitted by law) as against
         any such purchaser and all rights of redemption, stay or appraisal
         which the Corporation has or may have under any rule of law now
         existing or hereafter adopted.

SECTION 3.8 NO RIGHT OF SET-OFF.

         The principal, interest and other monies and liabilities secured by
this debenture shall be paid when due by the Corporation without regard to any
equities existing between the Corporation and any other parties including,
without limitation, the Holder and the Lenders, and without regard to any right
of set-off or cross-claim or of any other claim or demand of the Corporation
against the Holder or any Lender or otherwise.

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SECTION 3.9 NO MERGER OR NOVATION.

         Neither the taking of any judgment nor the exercise of any power of
seizure or sale shall operate to extinguish the liability of the Corporation to
pay the monies secured, nor shall the same operate as a merger of any covenant
or affect the right of the Holder and the Lenders to interest at the specified
rate, nor shall the acceptance of any payment or other security constitute or
create any novation, and it is further agreed that the taking of a judgment
under any covenant shall not operate as a merger of such covenant in the
judgment or affect the Holder's and the Lenders' right to interest.

SECTION 3.10 PRESENTATION OF DEBENTURE.

         So long as CIT Business Credit Canada Inc. is the holder of this
debenture for itself and on behalf of the Lenders, the Corporation, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, hereby waives presentation of this debenture
for, and surrender of this debenture against, payment. In any other case, the
holder of this debenture shall be required to present and surrender this
debenture against payment at such place designated by such holder in writing to
the Corporation.

SECTION 3.11 APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY.

         Provided the Security shall have become enforceable, the Corporation
hereby irrevocably appoints the Holder (and any officer thereof) as attorney of
the Corporation (with full power of substitution) to exercise in the name of and
on behalf of the Corporation any of the Corporation's right (including the right
of disposal), title and interest in and to the Charged Premises including the
execution, endorsement and delivery of any agreements, documents, instruments,
absolute assignments, securities, deeds, conveyances, documents of title and
chattel paper and any notices, consents, receipts, assignments or verifications
of the accounts and the Holder and its nominees or transferees are hereby
empowered to exercise all rights and powers and to perform all acts of ownership
with respect to the Charged Premises to the same extent the Corporation might
do. All acts of any such attorney are hereby ratified and approved, and such
attorney shall not be liable for any act, failure to act or any other matter or
thing in connection therewith, except for its own gross negligence or wilful
misconduct. The appointment and power of substitution, being coupled with an
interest, are irrevocable and shall not terminate upon the bankruptcy,
dissolution, winding-up or insolvency of the Corporation.

SECTION 3.12 CRYSTALLIZATION OF FLOATING CHARGE

         The floating charge created by Section 2.2(b) shall become a fixed
charge immediately upon the earlier of:

         (a)      the Holder giving notice to that effect to the Corporation; or

         (b)      the Holder taking any step to accelerate or demand payment of
                  any amount owing under this debenture or giving notice of its
                  intention or taking any steps to enforce the Security.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                     GENERAL

SECTION 4.1 DISCHARGE.

         The Holder is the person entitled to, on its own behalf and on behalf
of the Lenders, receive the money payable under this debenture and to give a
discharge of this debenture. The Security shall be discharged upon, but only
upon, full payment of all moneys secured and performance of all obligations of
the Corporation to the Holder and the Lenders. Upon discharge of the Security
and at the request and expense of the Corporation, the Holder shall execute and
deliver to the Corporation such releases and discharges as the Corporation may
reasonably require.

<PAGE>   12
                                      -10-

SECTION 4.2 REIMBURSEMENT OF HOLDER'S EXPENSES.

         The Corporation shall pay to the Holder immediately on demand all
costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Holder and the Lenders in connection
with the preparation, issuance and enforcement of this debenture, the
preservation and protection of the Charged Premises, the preservation and
enforcement of the Security or the realization of this debenture on the Charged
Premises, including, without limitation, all reasonable legal fees, court costs,
receiver's or agent's remuneration and other reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with the recovery or enforcement of payment of any moneys owing
hereunder whether by realization or otherwise and expenses of taking possession
of, repairing, protecting, insuring, preparing for disposition, realizing,
collecting, selling, transferring, delivering or obtaining payment of Charged
Premises. All such sums, together with interest at the rate set forth in this
debenture until paid, shall be added to the indebtedness secured by this
debenture and shall also be secured, together with all other indebtedness, by
this debenture.

SECTION 4.3 WAIVER OF COVENANTS.

         The Holder may waive any breach by the Corporation of any of the
provisions of this debenture or any failure by the Corporation in the observance
or performance of any covenant or condition required to be observed or performed
by the Corporation, grant extensions of time or other indulgences to, accept
compositions from, or grant releases and discharges to, the Corporation in
respect of the Charged Premises or otherwise deal with the Corporation and with
the Charged Premises and other security held by the Holder for itself and on
behalf of the Lenders, all as the Holder may see fit; provided that no such
waiver or act by the Holder shall be binding on the Holder and the Lenders or
shall extend to or be taken in any manner to affect any subsequent breach or
failure or the rights resulting from such breach or failure.

SECTION 4.4 FURTHER ASSURANCES.

         The Corporation shall from time to time, whether before or after the
Security shall have become enforceable, do all such acts and things and execute
and deliver all such deeds, transfers, assignments and instruments as the Holder
may reasonably require for (i) protecting the Charged Premises, (ii) perfecting
the Security, and (iii) exercising all powers, authorities and discretions
conferred upon the Holder. The Corporation shall, from time to time after the
Security has become enforceable, do all such acts and things and execute and
deliver all such deeds, transfers, assignments and instruments as the Holder may
require for facilitating the sale of the Charged Premises in connection with its
realization.

SECTION 4.5 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         This debenture shall be binding upon the Corporation, its successors
and assigns, and shall enure to the benefit of the Holder and the Lenders and
their successors and assigns. This debenture may be assigned by the Holder
without the consent of, or notice to, the Corporation, to such person, firm or
corporation as the Holder may determine and, in such event, such person, firm or
corporation shall be entitled to all of the rights and remedies of the Holder as
set forth in this debenture or otherwise. In any action brought by an assignee
to enforce any such right or remedy, the Corporation shall not assert against
the assignee any claim or defence which the Corporation now has or hereafter may
have against the Holder or any of the Lenders.

SECTION 4.6 GENDER AND NUMBER.

         Any reference in this debenture to gender shall include all genders and
words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice
versa.

<PAGE>   13
                                      -11-

SECTION 4.7 HEADINGS, ETC.

         The division of this debenture into articles, sections and subsections
and the insertion of headings are for convenient reference only and are not to
affect its interpretation.

SECTION 4.8 SEVERABILITY.

         If any provision of this debenture shall be deemed by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid or void, the remaining provisions shall
remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4.9 GOVERNING LAW.

         In respect of each parcel of Real Property charged hereby, and in
respect of the corresponding Charged Premises in each case, this debenture will
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province where
such Real Property and Charged Premises are situate. Without prejudice to the
ability of the Holder to enforce this debenture in any other proper
jurisdiction, the Corporation irrevocably submits and attorns to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of such province. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, the Corporation irrevocably waives any objection
(including any claim of inconvenient forum) that it may now or hereafter have to
the venue of any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this debenture
in the courts of such province.

SECTION 4.10 RIGHT OF CONSOLIDATION.

         The common law right of consolidation shall apply to this debenture
notwithstanding Section 31 of the Property Law Act of British Columbia or any
similar statutory provision in force from time to time.

SECTION 4.11 RIGHTS PRIOR TO ENFORCEMENT.

         So long as the Security has not become enforceable pursuant to the
terms hereof, the Corporation shall have quiet possession of the Charged
Premises.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Corporation has executed this debenture.

                                       STERLING PULP CHEMICALS, LTD.

                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                               Authorized Signing Officer

                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                               Authorized Signing Officer

<PAGE>   14

                                  SCHEDULE "A"
                                  REAL PROPERTY

<Table>
<Caption>
LOCATION                                    LEGAL DESCRIPTION
--------                                    -----------------
<S>                                         <C>
302 The East Mall                           ALL AND SINGULAR that certain parcel or tract of land
Suite 200                                   and premises situate, lying and being in the City of
Toronto, Ontario                            Toronto (formerly the City of Etobicoke, in the
M9B 6C7                                     Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto) and Province of
(leased)                                    Ontario and being composed of those parts of Blocks G
                                            and H on Plan M-1046 (Borough of Etobicoke) registered
                                            in the Land Registry Office for the Land Titles Division
                                            of Toronto (No. 66) and being designated as Parts
                                            1,2,3,4 and 5 on Plan 66R-6942.

                                            Being part of Parcel Plan-1, Section M-1046 Leasehold.

2 Gibbs Road                                Firstly
Toronto, Ontario                            Parcel F-1, Section M-1046 Freehold, being Block "F" on
M9B 1R1                                     Plan M-1046, save and except Unit 1, Expropriation Plan
(small portion leased)                      D-35, City of Toronto, being the whole of P.I.N.

                                            Secondly
                                            Parcel B-1, Section M-955 Freehold, being part of Block
                                            "B" on Plan M-955, designated as Parts 8,9,10 and 11 on
                                            Plan R-3999, City of Toronto, being the whole of P.I.N.
                                            07553-0007 (LT).

100 Forester Street                         District of North Vancouver:
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7H 1W4                                     (a) Parcel Identifier: 015-980-065
(2 fees simple titles; 1 leasehold          Lot L (Reference Plan 2659) of that portion of the
title; 1 license for water lots)            foreshore of Burrard Inlet lying in front of District
                                            Lot 611
                                            Group 1
                                            New Westminster District

                                            (b) Parcel Identifier: 009-394-605
                                            Lot 3 (Explanatory Plan 5078)
                                            Except: Part subdivided by Plan LMP 50161
                                            Block X
                                            District Lot 611
                                            Group 1
                                            Plan 9510

1535 City Road East                         ALL AND SINGULAR that certain parcel or tract of land
P.O. Box 10464                              situate, lying and being in the City of Thunder Bay, in
Thunder Bay, Ontario                        the District of Thunder Bay, in the Province of Ontario,
P7B 6T9                                     and being composed of those parts of the lands patented
(leased)                                    to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company by patent
                                            dated the 22nd day of January, 1906, and registered in
                                            the Land Registry Office for Thunder Bay as Number
</Table>

<PAGE>   15
                                       -2-

<Table>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            762 for the Township of Neebing shown as Part 1 and Part
                                            2 on a Plan of Survey dated the 12th day of December,
                                            1978 and deposited in the said Registry Office as Plan
                                            Number 55R-3695.

Contractors Road (off Resources Road)       Plan 9122986, Lot A containing 6.335 Hectares (15.65
Box 848                                     Acres) more or less. Excepting thereout all mines and
Grand Prairie, Alberta                      minerals
T8V 3R5
(leased)                                    - and -

                                            Plan 9122986, Lot B
                                            Excepting thereout all mines and minerals
                                            Area: 1.697 Hectares (4.19 Acres) more or less.
                                            Grand Prairie, Alberta
</Table><PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.16

                          STERLING PULP CHEMICALS, LTD.

                                 as Corporation

                                       and

                         CIT BUSINESS CREDIT CANADA INC.

                               as Agent and Lender

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           DEBENTURE PLEDGE AGREEMENT

                                  JULY 11, 2001

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                STIKEMAN ELLIOTT

<PAGE>   2

                           DEBENTURE PLEDGE AGREEMENT

         Debenture Pledge Agreement dated July 11, 2001 made between Sterling
Pulp Chemicals, Ltd. (the "CORPORATION") and CIT Business Credit Canada Inc.
(the "AGENT") for itself and on behalf of the Lenders (as hereinafter defined).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Description of Debenture:
        ------------------------
<S>                                         <C>
        Principal Sum:                      Cdn. $75,000,000.00
        Date:                               July 11, 2001
        Interest Rate:                      Twenty-five percent (25%) per annum
        Payable:                            On Demand
</TABLE>

         RECITALS:

         (a)      The Agent and the Lenders have agreed to make certain credit
                  facilities available to the Corporation upon the terms and
                  conditions contained in a financing agreement among the
                  Corporation, as borrower, and the Agent, as agent for and on
                  behalf of itself and the other Lenders (as defined in the Loan
                  Agreement) and the Lenders under the loan agreement (the
                  "LENDERS"), dated July 11, 2001 (such financing agreement as
                  it may at any time or from time to time hereafter be amended,
                  supplemented, restated or replaced, the "LOAN AGREEMENT"); and

         (b)      The Corporation has agreed to execute and deliver this
                  debenture pledge agreement together with the Debenture (as
                  hereinafter defined and referred to) as security for the
                  payment and performance of the Corporation's obligations to
                  the Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Agreement.

         In consideration of the foregoing , the sum of $10.00 now paid by each
party to the other and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and
adequacy of which are acknowledged), the Corporation and the Agent agree as
follows:

SECTION 1 PLEDGE OF DEBENTURE.

         The Corporation pledges and hypothecates to, and deposits with, the
Agent, acting on behalf of itself and the Lenders, the debenture created by the
Corporation, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule "A", together with
all renewals thereof, substitutions therefor, accretions thereto, interest
thereon and proceeds thereof (collectively, the "DEBENTURE").

<PAGE>   3

                                      -2-

SECTION 2 OBLIGATIONS SECURED.

(1)      The pledge and hypothecation in this debenture pledge agreement (the
         "PLEDGE") secure the payment and performance of all debts, liabilities
         and obligations including all charges and fees of the Agent and the
         Lenders due from the Corporation to the Agent and the Lenders pursuant
         to or in connection with the Loan Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents (as defined in the Loan Agreement) (collectively, and
         together with the expenses, costs and charges set out in Section 2(2),
         the "OBLIGATIONS").

(2)      All expenses, costs and charges incurred by or on behalf of the Agent
         and the Lenders in connection with this debenture pledge agreement or
         the Debenture, including all legal fees, court costs, receiver's or
         agent's remuneration and other expenses of taking possession of,
         repairing, protecting, insuring, preparing for disposition, realizing,
         collecting, selling, transferring, delivering or obtaining payment for
         the Charged Premises, and of taking, defending or participating in any
         action or proceeding in connection with any of the foregoing matters or
         otherwise in connection with the interest of the Agent and the Lenders
         in any Charged Premises, whether or not directly relating to the
         enforcement of this debenture pledge agreement, the Debenture or the
         Loan Agreement, shall be added to and form a part of the Obligations.

(3)      The Corporation acknowledges that (i) value has been given, (ii) it has
         rights in the Debenture, (iii) it has not agreed to postpone the time
         of attachment of the Pledge, and (iv) it has received a copy of this
         debenture pledge agreement.

SECTION 3 SCOPE OF SECURITY.

(1)      To the extent that the creation of the Security (as defined in the
         Debenture) over the Charged Premises (as defined in the Debenture)
         would constitute a breach or permit the acceleration or termination of
         any agreement, right, licence or permit of the Corporation (each, a
         "RESTRICTED ASSET"), the Security so created under the Debenture will
         constitute a trust created in favour of the Agent and the Lenders
         pursuant to which the Corporation shall hold as trustee its interest in
         all proceeds arising under or in connection with the Restricted Asset
         in trust for the Agent on the following basis:

         (i)      until the Security has become enforceable, the Corporation
                  shall be entitled to receive all proceeds from or in respect
                  of such Restricted Asset; and

         (ii)     whenever the Security has become enforceable, all rights of
                  the Corporation to receive such proceeds shall cease, the
                  Corporation shall at the request of the Agent take all such
                  actions to collect and enforce payment and other rights
                  arising

<PAGE>   4

                                      -3-

                  under the Restricted Asset in accordance with the instructions
                  of the Agent and all such proceeds arising under or in
                  connection with the Restricted Asset shall be immediately paid
                  over to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders,

         and the Agent hereby confirms and agrees that the Charged Premises
         under the Debenture is limited in such manner and to such effect.

(2)      The Corporation shall not exercise any rights of set-off with respect
         to amounts payable under or in connection with any Restricted Asset and
         shall use its best efforts to ensure that no other party to the
         Restricted Asset shall exercise any rights of set off against any
         amounts payable thereunder. The Corporation shall use its best efforts
         to obtain such consents of the other parties to the Restricted Asset to
         the creation of the Security over the Restricted Asset in favour of the
         Agent and the Lenders in accordance with the Debenture as the Agent may
         from time to time request and shall use its best efforts to ensure that
         all agreements entered into on and after the date hereof expressly
         permit the creation of the Security in favour of the Agent and the
         Lenders in accordance with the terms of the Debenture.

SECTION 4 ENFORCEMENT.

         In the event the Corporation fails to pay or perform any of the
Obligations when due and payable or to be performed, as the case may be, the
Agent may at any time realize upon or otherwise dispose of the Debenture by
sale, transfer or delivery or exercise and enforce all rights and remedies of a
holder of the Debenture as if the Agent were absolute owner of the Debenture,
without notice to or control by the Corporation and any such remedy may be
exercised separately or in combination and shall be in addition to and not in
substitution for any other rights the Agent may have, however created.

SECTION 5 PAYMENT OF INTEREST.

         Payment to the Agent and the Lenders of interest for any period in
respect of the Obligations shall be deemed to be payment in satisfaction of the
interest payment for the same period under the Debenture in such manner as the
Agent shall deem appropriate.

SECTION 6 APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.

         The proceeds of the Debenture shall be applied by the Agent and the
Lenders on account of the Obligations in accordance with the Loan Agreement.

SECTION 7 DEALING WITH THE DEBENTURE.

(1)      The Agent and the Lenders shall not be obliged to exhaust its recourse
         against the Corporation or any other person or persons or against any
         other security it may hold in respect of the Obligations before
         realizing upon or

<PAGE>   5

                                      -4-

         otherwise dealing with the Debenture in such manner as the Agent and
         the Lenders may consider desirable.

(2)      The Agent and the Lenders may grant extensions or other indulgences,
         take and give up securities, accept compositions, grant releases and
         discharges and otherwise deal with the Corporation and with other
         persons, sureties or securities as it may see fit without prejudice to
         the Obligations, the liability of the Corporation or the rights of the
         Agent and the Lenders in respect of the Debenture.

(3)      Neither the Agent nor the Lenders shall be (i) liable or accountable
         for any failure of the Agent or the Lenders to collect, realize or
         obtain payment in respect of the Debenture, (ii) bound to institute
         proceedings for the purpose of collecting, enforcing, realizing or
         obtaining payment of the Debenture or for the purpose of preserving any
         rights of the Agent or the Lenders, the Corporation or any other
         parties, (iii) responsible for any loss occasioned by any sale or other
         dealing with the Debenture or by the retention of or failure to sell or
         otherwise deal with the Debenture, or (iv) bound to protect the
         Debenture from depreciating in value or becoming worthless.

SECTION 8 NO MERGER.

         The Debenture and this debenture pledge agreement shall not operate by
way of merger of any of the Obligations and no judgment recovered by the Agent
and the Lenders shall operate by way of merger of, or in any way affect, the
Pledge which is in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other security
now or hereafter held by the Agent and the Lenders in respect of the
Obligations.

SECTION 9 NOTICES.

         Any notices, directions or other communications provided for in this
debenture pledge agreement shall be in writing and given in accordance with the
provisions of the Loan Agreement.

SECTION 10 FURTHER ASSURANCES.

         The Corporation shall from time to time, whether before or after the
Pledge shall have become enforceable, do all such acts and things and execute
and deliver all such transfers, assignments and instruments as the Agent may
reasonably require for (i) protecting the Debenture, (ii) perfecting the Pledge,
and (iii) exercising all powers, authorities and discretions conferred upon the
Agent. The Corporation shall, from time to time after the Pledge has become
enforceable, do all such acts and things and execute and deliver all such
transfers, assignments and instruments as the Agent may require for facilitating
the sale of the Debenture in connection with its realization.

<PAGE>   6

                                      -5-

SECTION 11 SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY.

         This debenture pledge agreement and the Debenture are in addition and
without prejudice to and supplemental to all other security now held or which
may hereafter be held by the Agent and the Lenders.

SECTION 12 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         This debenture pledge agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation,
its successors and assigns, and shall enure to the benefit of the Agent and the
Lenders and their successors and assigns. This debenture pledge agreement shall
not be assigned by the Corporation and may only be assigned by the Agent upon
the concurrent assignment of the Debenture, and the Debenture may only be
assigned upon the concurrent assignment of this debenture pledge agreement.

SECTION 13 GENDER AND NUMBER.

         Any reference in this debenture pledge agreement to gender shall
include all genders and words importing the singular number only shall include
the plural and vice versa.

SECTION 14 HEADINGS, ETC.

         The division of this debenture pledge agreement into sections and the
insertion of headings are for convenient reference only and are not to affect
its interpretation.

SECTION 15 SEVERABILITY.

         If any provision of this debenture pledge agreement is deemed by any
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or void, the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 16 GOVERNING LAW.

         This debenture pledge agreement shall be governed by and interpreted
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the
federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

SECTION 17 LOAN AGREEMENT TO SUPERSEDE.

         Notwithstanding anything contained herein or in the Debenture, to the
extent that the provisions of this Pledge or the Debenture conflict with
provisions in the Loan Agreement, the relevant provisions of the Loan Agreement
supersede and shall govern. For greater certainty, notwithstanding anything
contained herein or in the Debenture, the indebtedness, liabilities and
obligations actually owing by the Corporation shall be limited to the amounts
and terms set forth in the Loan Agreement and the Corporation shall be entitled
to notice and opportunity to cure, if any, set forth in the Loan Agreement
before the security hereunder or under the Debenture shall become enforceable.

<PAGE>   7

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Corporation has executed this debenture pledge
agreement.

                                       STERLING PULP CHEMICALS, LTD.

                                       By:
                                             ---------------------------------
                                              Authorized Signing Officer

                                       By:
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Authorized Signing Officer

                                       CIT BUSINESS CREDIT CANADA INC., AS AGENT
                                         AND LENDER

                                       By:
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              Authorized Signing Officer

                                       By:
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              Authorized Signing Officer

<PAGE>   8

                                  SCHEDULE "A"
                                    DEBENTURE

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00028-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00028-of-00352.parquet"}]]