Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Coleman Talks About Softwood and Stumpage

By 250 News

“The softwood situation is pretty much in neutral for the next three weeks until after the election and the government has a chance to get settled.” Those are the words of Rich Coleman, Minister of Forests and Range following an address to the BC Natural Resource Forum.

In an exclusive interview with Opinion250 News, Coleman says he has been able to keep a dialogue open with the American Ambassador. “We had said we wanted the Americans to give us a show of good faith and there may an opportunity for that” 


The Federal Election campaign has been particularly nasty, with what some see as a great deal of anti-American sentiment being spewed, but Coleman doesn’t believe that will have any impact on potential softwood talks “The Americans, in particular those in Washington, aren’t really paying any heed at all to the rhetoric” says the Minister. “The reality is, that we will negotiate a settlement based on common ground” but there is no telling on when that might be.

There have been concerns raised about what might happen if companies which have paid billions of dollars in duties actually get all that money returned. The tax consequences may force major players into buying out smaller companies rather than lose the money to the taxman, and that could create a monopoly situation. Despite potential tax, or industry issues, Coleman doubts companies that have been paying the duties will accept anything less “If you ask any company that has deposits sitting at the border if they would be willing to accept less than 100%, they will say that is their money and they deserve to have it.”

As for stumpage rates “The work continues” says Minister Coleman. The new rates are supposed to be ready for the 1st of April, and Coleman says they will meet that deadline. The Province is facing a challenge on how rates can be increased without creating a problem where companies abandon harvesting beetle kill because it is no longer financially attractive.

Previous Story - Next Story



Return to Home