Softwood Deal Could Be Passed By Fall

By 250 News

International Trade Minister David Emerson wanted  "substantial support" from the lumber industry, and  Prime Minister Harper says  the deal is supported by a "clear majority" so legislation to finalize the softwood lumber deal will be introduced  when Parliament resumes in September and could be passed  as early as the 1st of October. 

Canfor, which stands to get back 600 million of the 800 million dollars it paid in duties, supports the  deal.  President  Jim Sheperd says it will give the industry stability.  He also says Canfor will look to invest those dollars.   Investment would mean no tax grab.

Premier Campbell says the province supports the deal now that  a couple of  sticky points have been cleared.  Industry support from this part of the country was expected as the Premier was flanked by thekey players in B.C.'s l;umber indusgtry when he made the announcement last week.

Prime Minister Harper has  indicated that when the legislation is up for a vote, it will be a vote of confidence and if the agreement is defeated the nation will head back to the polls.

The Federal Liberals  now sound like they will back down from any previous plans to topple the Harper Government.  The New Democrats say they will not stray from their path  and will vote against the agreement.  The Bloc has yet to make its position clear.

Although  with  the major lumber producing provinces  supporting the deal, and the industry itself offering its backing,  the political parties may be hard pressed to find support  from the average voters for what some critics see as "using the industry to play politics."

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us