TORIES ROLL OVER ON SOFTWOOD LUMBER DEAL

Government should stand up for Canada’s forestry communities, says NDP

OTTAWA – With the Minister of International Trade in New York today to announce the extension of the Softwood Lumber Agreement, New Democrats here at home are denouncing the devastating impact of the deal. 

“It is disappointing that the Conservatives have chosen to simply continue a deal that has been unfavorable to Canadian forestry workers,” said International Trade Critic Brian Masse (Windsor West). “Rather than rubber-stamping this deal until 2015 the Canadian government should have taken the time to fix the deal so that it benefits both sides of the border.”

The Softwood Lumber Deal was signed amid controversy in 2006 and expires in 2013. At the time the Conservative government said that it would provide certainty and end the constant lawsuits from U.S. producers. However, since then Canada has lost two rounds of arbitration totalling $130 million, and is awaiting the outcome of a third round which may cost Canadians an additional $500 million.

At the same time a recent study in the Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy points out that the softwood lumber agreement alone has decreased Canadian lumber exports to the US show by 9%.

“Since the Agreement was signed, Canadian forestry workers have watched as mill after mill has shut down and in some cases packed up and moved overseas,” said Natural Resources Critic Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt). “What forestry workers need is a government that is working to get these mills re-opened and these jobs back.” 

Recent events surrounding the Keystone pipeline project saw the government coming to the aid of the oil industry with embassies, ministers and even the Prime Minister weighing in.

 “When it comes to boosting their oil company buddies, the government is only too eager to help,” said Gravelle. “But when it comes to defending forestry communities and protecting jobs, this government does nothing but roll over at the feet of the United States.”