Softwood - Signed, Sealed

By 250 News

The softwood lumber agreement with the United States has moved one step closer to  reaching the House of Commons as  International Trade Minister David Emerson and  U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab signed off the legal text today.

Emerson's official statement following the signing stressed there was strong support for the deal:

"Backed by two national governments, all major softwood-producing provinces and an overwhelming majority of Canadian softwood lumber producers, this historic Agreement delivers predictable access to the U.S. market; guarantees the repayment of more than US$4.4 billion in disputed duties; provides provincial and regional flexibility in forestry policies; and brings an end to years of uncertainty and costly litigation.

Here are the next steps:

Legislation will be introduced when  Parliament resumes.  That legislation will  give the Government the  power to impose charges, set quotas for exporters and  issue the export permits.

South of the border, the U.S. must now cancel all the duty orders, and  start the return of the billions of dollars paid in duties.

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