Coleman Vows to Make SLA Work

By 250 News

Minister of Forests and Range, Rich Coleman talks to COFI delegates about the Softwood Lumber Deal

Although there are some in the Forest Industry who  say the softwood lumber agreement will  not survive two years,  in fact, the  Chief U.S Negotiator, Grant Aldonas,  was recently quoted saying  "It is so complex, it is  an invtitation for litigation" Coleman says the agreement  was  "The right  deal at the time to get us to the next stage of working with our largest trading partner."

Will it survive the 7 years?  Coleman is optimistic " You make a deal you work through it." 

Coleman says  he will not look at the glass as being half empty  " I believe you can look at a deal and say its not going to  work and  its too complex, or you can say look  we ’ve got a deal, lets make it work, and I  choose to take the second, we will make it work."

There are already some concerns,  and Coleman will be in meetings next week to deal with some of the issues now surfacing.

Coleman also says he has heard from some in the  industry expressing thanks for reaching a deal.   "Without that agreement  I can tell you there would be 1500 people without jobs in B.C. today" says Coleman.  He says  he has heard from companies which were on the brink of closure  had  they not received  their duty refunds.

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