Softwood Deal?

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 01:44 PM

There is lots of buzzing in the lumber industry that there is, or shortly will be, a deal in the softwood lumber dispute.

According to a CTV report, Ottawa and Washington have developed a framework to end the dispute.

The framework would see Canada’s share of the U.S. softwood market held to 34%, while the U.S. would return 78% of the $5 billion it collected through duties.

Yesterday in the House of Commons, International Trade Minister David Emerson was questioned about a possible deal but he told Parliament there were at least five occasions when it was alleged the two sides were close to a deal, “I can tell you that being close doesn’t count.”

According to the CTV report, the United States wanted to have a deal in place by Thursday with an official announcement slated for later today.

Closer to home, Minister of Forest and Range, Rich Coleman says there would still need to be consultation before any final agreement could be announced. Coleman says Ottawa would have to pass the proposal over to the Provinces for feedback.

Previous Story - Next Story