Premier Urges Acceptance of Softwood Deal

By 250 News

With just a week  to go before industry players are to let the Federal Minister of Trade know if they will accept the  Softwood lumber deal, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell has delivered his stance.

Campbell says B.C. will support the agreement, that it is the best  we will get.  He says there has been clarification  and  acceptance of some of the  key issues B.C. wanted addressed including the standstill clause which means  there will be no litigation for at lest a year after the  deal is terminated. 

There  is a committment from the U.S. to look at the issue of logs from private land, there  will be a 6 month notice of terminaton of the agreement, and there is improved language on market pricing . 

 "Everyone did not get everything they wanted" said the Premier,  and while he says it is not a perfect agreement,  there have been significant improvements since the initial deal was presented in April.  "From a B.C. Government perspective, this agreement is worth supporting" says  Campbell.  He also says that once industry has had a chance to  look at the revised language he believes they will see it  has been improved.  He urged industry to accept the  deal and reminded industry the U.S. has no interest in reopening and re-negotiating.

"Each company will make its own decision " says the Premier, "But I am urging them to support this agreement."

Trade Minister David Emerson gave the lumber companies until the 21st of this month to let their intentions be known.  He had indicated he would only bring the matter to Parliament for approval if  he had support from the majority of the lumber producers.  Critics say that is because if the majority support the deal,  the Opposition parties in the house  would not be able to skuttle the legislation and topple the Harper government.

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