It was a "bad deal."
The Governments will benefit with some additional tax money. The problem is "off" their backs. There is much more involved in running a country than worrying about the cost of a 2 X 4.
The lumber companies that can stay in business will do so. It is known as "Survival of the fittest."
In many areas of Canada they have absolutely NO knowledge there even was a contentious Softwood Lumber agreement between Canada and the U S.
We paid attention due to the fact we are smack bang in the middle of an area largely dependent on lumber producing.
The U S won-but did anyone really expect a different outcome?

Has anyone seen the lengths dow7000 went to on the Jay Hill no-negotiate-with-terrorist thread.

He resorted to calling anyone that disagrees with his neo-con politics a terrorist that should get whats coming to them. A real live zionist in full color. He'd even make the Taliban proud.

Only 32% Of Canadians
Back PM On Mideast
By Brian Laghi
Ottawa Bureau Chief
Globe & Mail (Canada)
8-26-6


Stephen Harper's decision to support Israel in the current Middle East crisis appears out of step with the majority of Canadians, according to a new poll.

The survey finds that a majority of Canadians want their government to be neutral on the conflict and that Mr. Harper has tilted away from the traditional Canadian position. Moreover, they believe that the Conservative government is taking its cues from U.S. President George W. Bush.

The Globe and Mail/CTV poll also shows that Canadians are paying close attention to the conflict, and that Quebeckers are particularly concerned about the shift.

"What you're struck by is how unpopular the position he has taken is, especially in the province of Quebec," said Allan Gregg, chairman of the Strategic Counsel, the firm that conducted the poll.
According to the poll, 45 per cent of voters disagree with Mr. Harper's support of Israel's actions, while 32 per cent support it, and 23 per cent don't know or neither agree nor disagree. In Quebec, 61 per cent are against the Harper position, with only 17 per cent behind it.

The poll also found that 77 per cent of Canadians surveyed say Canada should be neutral in the current conflict, with 16 per cent voicing support for Israel and just 1 per cent backing Hezbollah. Fifty-one per cent say the position represents a move away from previous Canadian governments' views.

Mr. Gregg said the results may be a political warning for Mr. Harper, although he noted that the Conservative Party's popularity has stayed relatively stable in the wake of the conflict.

"It doesn't seem to be affecting their bottom line right now," Mr. Gregg said.

"But when you start digging in to the substantive policy positions he has taken, especially on foreign policy positions, you see how incendiary they can become if that debate began to roil above the summertime consciousness . . . The position Canadians want us to take is decidedly neutral."

On a related question, 53 per cent say they believe Mr. Harper has backed Israel because the position is in line with that of Mr. Bush.

Another 19 per cent say the government's stand has been taken out of principle, while 10 per cent say they think Mr. Harper has domestic political concerns on his mind. In Quebec, 72 per cent of respondents say they believe the Canadian government is aping Mr. Bush.

A poll earlier this month also found flagging support for Canada's mission in Afghanistan, with 56 per cent opposing the mission, up 15 percentage points from March.

Mr. Gregg said Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe should be "wringing his hands with glee" at the results.

"If he's looking at these same numbers, he will try to stir it up," Mr. Gregg said. "And if he does stir it up -- and the salience of this issue becomes higher -- there's no question the Conservatives will lose support."

Liberals, too, would find the issue to be an Achilles heel for the Tories.

On the political horse race, the poll finds that the Tories are hovering around 38 per cent of the electorate, up two points from the January election. The Liberals are supported by 29 per cent, down one point, while the New Democrats have dropped three points to 15 per cent. In Quebec, the Conservatives have lost two percentage points from the 25 per cent they earned on election day, while the Liberals have held steady at 21 per cent and the BQ is up one point to 43 per cent.

"We would have a déjà vu election if it was held last weekend," Mr. Gregg said.

However, Mr. Gregg said the Middle East could become a voting issue for some Canadians if Mr. Harper finds himself too far away from Canadian values.

"If he's consistently on the wrong side of the zeitgeist about what Canada should be doing in the world, it's only a matter of time before people say, 'He sees the world in a different way than me,' especially if he sees that world in the way George Bush sees it."

The poll of 1,000 Canadians was taken July 27 to 30 and is accurate to within 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

The poll also shows that Canadians want to participate in an international effort to resolve the problem. A full 57 per cent said they would back Canadian troops taking part in an international force.

Finally, Canadians are also paying attention to the issue, with 72 per cent saying they are following the events closely.

Polling Canadians on the

Middle East conflict

Canadians -- especially Quebeckers -- are showing little support for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to back Israel, according to a new survey.

How closely have you been following the Middle East conflict?

Closely: 72%

Not closely: 28%

What should Canada's position be in the current conflict?

Remain neutral 77%

Support Israel 16%

Support Hezbollah 1%

Don't know 6%

What do you think the government's position is?

Remaining neutral 12%

Supporting one side 39%

Don't know 49%

Do you agree with Mr. Harper's support for Israeli actions?

CANADA

Agree 32%

Disagree 45%

Don't know 5%

Neither 18%

QUEBEC

Agree 17%

Disagree 61%

Don't know 7%

Neither 15%

Do you feel Mr. Harper's support for Israel is consistent with previous governments' positions?

CANADA

Yes 22%

No 51%

Don't know 27%

QUEBEC

Yes 14%

No 66%

Don't know 20%

Why do you think Mr. Harper has taken this position? (supports Israeli actions)

CANADA

Domestic political considerations 10%

Out of principle 19%

Because it is in line with U.S. President George W. Bush and his administration 53%

Other/ don't know 18%

QUEBEC

Domestic political considerations 7%

Out of principle 11%

Because it is in line with U.S. President George W. Bush and his administration 72%

Other/ don't know 10%

What do Canadians think about sending an international force of peacekeepers to the area?

CANADA

International peacekeepers should be sent to ensure a ceasefire 53%

International community should not be involved 34%

Other/ don't know 13%

QUEBEC

International peacekeepers should be sent to ensure a ceasefire 67%

International community should not be involved 26%

Other/ don't know 7%

SOURCE: THE STRATEGIC COUNSEL