Emerson Soft on Softwood

Monday, August 22, 2005 03:55 AM

We certainly had a lesson on just how the Federal Government will handle the matter of the US telling us to take a hike on our win in the soft wood lumber dispute.

Did Ottawa and the Federal Liberals (who have the power to take some tough action on the US position) drop the gloves after the Americans told us they really didn’t care what NAFTA had said about the tariffs on Canadian lumber?

David Emerson, who you all will recall was the boss over at CANFOR for a time, announced that the Federal Liberals are looking at a plan whereby mills in Ontario will be given grants to help them upgrade their mills.

That is taking a tough position now isn’t it?

Instead of telling the Americans that if they don’t hand over the five Billion owed in tariffs collected at the borde,r they will unplug the gas, and oil that crosses the border, we offer to help the mills (of course only in Ontario) who are being hurt .

Sound like a government that is prepared to take a stand on the soft wood lumber issue , or does it sound like they are saying go to hell you folks in the west, Ontario is where the seats are?

David Emerson should know better.

He should pull some of the interviews that I had with him to refresh his memory on just how the east was treating the west on the lumber issue. Of course by now he has had a lobotomy in order to bring him around to the thinking that if the Liberals can win in Ontario they will be government again.

Wonder why just over 33% of the people in the west want out of Canada?

I'm Meisner, and that is one man's opinion.

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Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 03:55 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: Opatcho on August 22 2005 9:40 AM

Why would Emerson care about the softwood tariff the yanks are are adding on a Canadian product. Even with the tariff as we know the US is Canfors biggest customer and last year their profit was $460,000,000.00. All the big corporations are saying go easy with the Americans on the softwood deal and that includes our local hero Mr Shepard.
Its a big problem for all of us as the Government thats in power their object is to get re-elected and they dont seem to care what the consequences are.

Posted by: gypsy on August 22 2005 10:32 AM

"THERE ARE NONE SO BLIND THAN THOSE WHO REFUSE TO SEE."
We have known where Emerson's stand was for a very lengthy time. Not on our side-nor is Shepherd. How many wake up calls does the west need-or is it more comfortable to complain once in awhile and go back to sleeping at the "switch?"

Posted by: Chadermando on August 22 2005 4:39 PM

If we can't have a Triple EEE Senate then my position has always been BC independence.

Posted by: pioneer on August 22 2005 5:53 PM

That is frustrating though typical. Soon we will be the next State. A few more rollovers from Ottawa & a few more big aquistions by the Americans of our beloved Big Canadian companies and "Voila" Americans that say "Eh!"