Softwood Deal Still In The Works

By 250 News

The language of a proposed agreement between Canada and the U.S. on softwood lumber is  said to be the reason why the talks stalled on the weekend.

B.C.'s Minister of Forest and Range, Rich Coleman is quoted in the media as saying talks continued today, and they are  working out the language on two or three  items. 

It is thought  one of the items is B.C. timber pricing reforms.  Rumours abound that the U.S. is  not happy with the changes. 

Prime Minister Stephen Harper rose in the House today to respond to Opposition questions about why certain softwood deal deadlines were missed on the weekend. The P.M. maintains the deal is a good one "This is a good deal for our softwood industry, a good deal for Canada.  It's why a vast majority of the industry supports it. It's why the provinces support it."

The deal may not pass the grade in B.C.  This province exports 55% of the lumber that goes to the U.S.  and  B.C. can kill the agreement if it doesn't like whats coming down the pipe.

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