|
Send this to a friend
2008
Wednesday 04 June 2008 OTTAWA: MPs PUSH MEASURES TO HELP FORESTRY INDUSTRY
The House of Commons natural resources committee has made public a report aimed at helping the forestry sector, which has been buffeted by the high Canadian dollar, the depression in the U.S. housing industry and structural changes in the lumber and paper businesses. The report suggests encouragment of capital investment by making scientific research and experimental development eligible for tax refunds. The document recommends as well that the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance, which provides companies writeoffs for manufacturing equipment, be expanded. The MPs point to opportunities to reuse what has been considered waste materials into fuel for bioenergy, for pellets or for various construction materials. The president of the Forest Products Association of Canada, Avrim Lazar, has welcomed the recommendations and expressed the hope the government will act on them as soon as possible.
Wednesday 05 March 2008 OTTAWA: CANADA GAINS PARTIAL VICTORY IN LATEST SOFTWOOD CONFLICT
British Columbia's forests minister, Rich Coleman, says a decision by the London Court of International Arbitration is good news for his province's forestry industry but is unfavourable to those of four other provinces. The decision is the latest in decades of conflict between Canada and the U.S. over Canadian softwood lumber exports. The decision concerned the interpretation of a compromise concluded in 2006 that was intended to end the dispute about whether Canada's forestry industry was subsidized. Canada agreed to limit the exports voluntarily. Provinces then had a choice between accepting a border tax or quotas. The London Court of Arbitration found that B.C. and Alberta, which account for more than one-half of the softwood exports and accepted the border tax, were not in violation of the agreement. But it found Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in violation by failing to adjust exports back to Jan. 1 2007 instead of July 1 as they had interpreted the agreement.
Wednesday Mar 5, 2008 Canada wins softwood ruling
Forestry companies in British Columbia and Alberta will not be hit with an additional tax blow after the London Court of...
Saturday 19 January 2008 OTTAWA: US WANTS ARBITRATION IN LUMBER DISPUTE
The US government is seeking arbitration over what it contends are unacceptable subsidies to lumber producers in Ontario and Quebec. The Office of the United States Trade Representative said Friday that the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement between Canada and the US is being violated by "grant, loan, loan guarantee, and tax credit programs, as well as so-called `forest management' programs and programs that promote wood production." The notification was the latest procedural step in the American challenge against the provincial programs in Quebec and Ontario.
VANCOUVER: CANFOR CLOSING TWO BC WOOD PRODUCT MILLS
Canfor Corp. (TSX:CFP) is closing two wood product mills in Fort Nelson, BC as Canada's forestry industry continues to suffer from weak demand. The closings affect 435 workers, The PolarBoard oriented strand board mill and the Tackama plywood mill are closing indefinitely, with the firm blaming poor wood product markets, a high Canadian dollar and record-low prices for oriented strand board, a plywood substitute. The closures will take place after existing log inventories are used up, probably in April for the Tackama mill and during the summer for the PolarBoard operation. The Tackama mill has an annual production capacity for 270 million square feet of plywood and the PolarBoard mill has an annual capacity of 640 million square feet of oriented strand board.
Thursday 17 January 2008 OTTAWA: US KEEPS UP PRESSURE ON SOFTWOOD LUMBER
The United States is asking for assurances from Canada that a proposed $1-billion fund to aid struggling Canadian communities won't violate the softwood lumber agreement. The concern is that the fund would take money earmarked for workers and use it to reduce liabilities of Canadian lumber companies which, according to the US Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports, would violate the Softwood Lumber Agreement. Last week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced plans to create the fund to help unemployed workers in industries such as forestry, fishing and manufacturing -- largely through retraining. In a statement released Wednesday, US Trade Representative Sean Spicer said that Trade Ambassador Susan C. Schwab has sent a letter to Canada's trade minister, David Emerson. In it, Ms. Schwab asks for assurances from Mr. Emerson that any funds disbursed to the forestry sector from the Community Development Trust will be used in a manner consistent with Canada's obligations under the US-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement.
Saturday 12 January 2008 OTTAWA: SIX PROVINCES GETTING SOFTWOOD MONEY
Six provinces are getting money from charges on exports of softwood lumber products to the US. The federal government announced Friday it is distributing nearly $470 million dollars that's been collected using the export charges. Those charges were put in place to replace the duties the US was collecting on what it alleged were unfairly subsidized softwood lumber exports from Canada. The change was made under the September 2006 Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement. These are the first payouts to the provinces under the new system. Six lumber-producing provinces are eligible to receive the revenue: Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, with amounts ranging from about $337,000 to just over $371 million. Exports of softwood lumber products from the Atlantic provinces are not subject to the export charge so those provinces don't get the revenue.
2007
Saturday Dec 8, 2007 Forestry could lose 12,000 jobs: ex-minister
The forest industry in Quebec could lose another 12,000 jobs in 2008, as a general slowdown of the economy...
Thursday 06 December 2007 VANCOUVER: LUMBER INDUSTRY SUFFERS ANOTHER BLOW
Canfor Corp., Canada's biggest lumber producer, says it will close its sawmill at Chetwynd, BC, putting 188 employees out of work. CEO Jim Shepard says the closure is in keeping with the company's decision "to restructure its production schedules to reflect the demands of the marketplace..." The facility at Chetwynd is expected to close at the end of January or the beginning of February. Like other lumber firms, Canfor has been hurt by the high Canadian dollar and the slump in the U.S. housing market caused by the subprime mortgage crisis. Just last week, Canfor announced the closure of four other sawmills in the province and the layoffs of 300 workers.
Friday 02 November 2007 VANCOUVER: CANFOR CUTS PRODUCTION
Canfor Corp., Canada's biggest softwood lumber firm, says it will cut production because the high Canadian dollar and low lumber prices have caused a loss of $42.1 million in the third quarter. CEO Jim Shephard says he's pleased that Canfor was able to reduce its operating costs in the quarter, but that the persisting high dollar and low prices are "troubling." The company will increase the curtailments already in effect by shutting operations for two weeks next month.
Wednesday 19 September 2007 MONTREAL: DOLLAR'S RISE BAD NEWS FOR QUEBEC LUMBER FIRM
In the meantime, the ascent of the Canadian dollar is the reverse of good news for Canadian timber firms like Tembec Inc. because it makes their products more expensive to export to the U.S. Tembec said on Tuesday that it will shut down for two weeks a saw mill at Béarn, putting 150 people out of work. Two Tembec mills, one in Quebec and the other in Ontario, had already been shut, and two others working at below capacity. Tembec`s president of Forest Products Group, Dennis Rounsville, blames the situation on the dollar and generally depressed market conditions.
MONTREAL: >b>TEMBEC BACK IN BUSINESS
Quebec-based lumber firm Tembec Inc. says it has resumed selling its products after stopping on Saturday. On Friday, Tembec said that low prices and the high Canadian dollar forced it to suspend sales over the weekend because they weren't profitable. The company resumed sales on Monday at prices three to five per cent higher. Tembec says there are indications that other lumber firms have raised their prices as well. Like its competitors, the company has been affected by the slump in the U.S. housing sector. And the crisis in the "subprime" mortgage market has led to thousands of foreclosures and a resulting decline in the demand for new houses. Tembec said on Friday it might respond by closing additional mills or by ceasing to operate them around the clock.
Saturday 15 September 2007 MONTREAL: LUMBER FIRM SUSPENDS SALES
One of Canada's biggest lumber exporters, Quebec-based Tembec Inc., has announced it is temporarily stopping sales in North America because of the fall in prices and the rise of the Canadian dollar. Dennis Rounsville, executive vice-president and president Tembec's Forest Group, says the decision to suspend sales was made on Thursday evening as prices continued to plummet and the Canadian dollar approached parity with its U.S. counterpart. Lumber prices dropped 10 to 15 per cent in the past month, while the dollar has gained two to three cents in the past several days. However, sales could resume next week. Mr. Rounsville says Tembec will consider whether to close more mills or reduce shifts. Three of the company's mills have been closed and four are operating on reduced shifts.
Thursday 09 August 2007 U.S. pounces on export surge
Canadian exports of softwood lumber to the United States were 50 per cent higher in July than they were last October
Wednesday 08 August 2007 VANCOUVER: SIMMERING SOFTWOOD CONFLICT REIGNITES
The U.S. government has begun arbitration proceedings in the first challenge of respect of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement. The U.S. trade representative, Susan Schwab, says it's unfortunate that the step has been taken but that Washington had no other choice because Canada is violating the accord in several ways. She claims that more lumber from British Columbia and Alberta is being exported than allowed. The original conflict began in 2002 when the U.S. started imposed punitive tariffs on imported Canadian lumber on the grounds that Canada's forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denied. The newly elected Conservative government negotiated a deal to settle the conflict in the spring of 2006. Under the deal, most of the punitive duties were returned and Canada agreed to levy its own border tax when lumber prices fell below certain levels.
Saturday 16 June 2007 MONTREAL: MORE BAD NEWS FOR LUMBER INDUSTRY
The Tembec timber firm has announced the temporary closing of plants in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. The company blames the closings on low demand for softwood lumber, low prices and the continuing strength of the Canadian dollar, which hurts exports. The news comes only a day after another lumber firm, Commonwealth Plywood, announced the indefinite closing of 18 plants in Quebec, entailing the loss of 1,800 jobs. Quebec Premier Jean Charest said on Friday that the province's lumber industry is experiencing its worst crisis ever. Twenty-four-thousand jobs have been lost since it started.
Thursday 12 April 2007 Softwood deal apt to implode, trade envoys say
The
six-month-old softwood trade agreement trumpeted by the Harper government as the solution to a major irritant between Canada and the U.S. likely will not survive its seven-year mandate, say the former chief negotiators for both sides.
Tuesday 31 October 2006 OTTAWA: LUMBER INDUSTRY BEGINS TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION
Canadian forestry firms have started receiving compensation for the punitive tariffs they were forced to pay by the U.S. in a dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber. The partial repayments are the result of an Canada-U.S. accord that went into effect on Oct. 12. Eighty per cent of the $5 billion collected by the Americans will be reimbursed. An initial sum of $950 million has already been repaid. The Canadian lumber industry is struggling with an overcapacity in sawmills, high production costs and sharpening foreign competition. In Quebec, almost 10,000 forestry workers have lost their jobs in recent years.
Friday 13 October 2006 TORONTO: PM DENIES SOFTWOOD DEAL CAUSING JOB LOSSES
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has denied claims that the Canada-U.S. softwood accord that went into effect on Thursday could cause the losses of thousands of jobs in the Canadian forestry industry. Mr. Harper says the accord to end the long dispute over imported Canadian softwood was needed to bring stability to the industry, and that its situation would be worse in its absence. The prime minister also blamed its current slump on lower demand for new housing starts in the U.S. because of higher mortgage rates. The seven-year deal replaces U.S. punitive tariffs on Canadian softwood with an adjustable export tax that varies according to U.S. lumber prices. Earlier in the week, Canadian forestry firms Domtar Inc. and Abitibi-Consolidated announced 1,600 layoffs as a result of sawmill closures due to low demand in the U.S. and the strong Canadian dollar.
Sat 07/10/2006 OTTAWA: CANADA-U.S. LUMBER DEAL SET TO COME INTO FORCE
The Canada-U-S Softwood Lumber Agreement will be implemented on Thursday. The deal was to have come into force on October 1. But some Canadian lumber exporters refused to withdraw legal actions against the U.S. over punitive softwood duties. A spokesman for Canada's International Trade Minister David Emerson said that the two countries have resolved the outstanding legal and administrative issues. Under the seven-year deal, Canadian lumber producers will get back about CDN$4 billion of the CDN$5 billion in penalty duties that they paid to the U.S. government. The agreement replaces U.S. lumber duties with a Canadian export tax that kicks in when lumber prices fall below certain levels.
Friday 29 September 2006 The Canadian Press news agency reports that the Sunday deadline for Canada to start implementing its accord with the U.S. government to end the long dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber will be missed. According to the agency, the cause is a range of complications including the details of the removal of 30 pieces of trade litigation, as well as the refusal of some lumber firms to withdraw the litigation at all. Under the terms of the agreement, the U.S. won't stop collecting punitive tariffs on the Canadian timber until all the litigation is withdrawn. When the accord presumably goes into effect, Canada will impose a 15-per cent export tax and the U.S. a 10.8-per cent import tax on the wood.
Tue 12/09/2006 Canada and the United States have signed an agreement to end a long dispute over imported softwood lumber. Canadian Trade minister David Emerson and his U.S. counterpart, Susan Schwab, signed the agreement on Tuesday in Ottawa. Canada's lumber industry has complained about heavy tariffs imposed on their product by the United States. Under the agreement, the U.S. will repay Canadian lumber producers almost $4 billion of the $5 billion collected in tariffs. The agreement will be presented in the House of Commons later this month for approval.
Monday 11 September 2006 MONTREAL: U.S.-CANADA SOFTWOOD CONFLICT SEEMS AT AN END
There is an indication on Thursday that the lengthy and bitter commercial dispute between Canada and the U.S. over imported Canadian softwood lumber is finally ending. A vote is due later this month in Parliament on whether to accept the tentative agreement concluded by the minority Conservative Party government. One of the three opposition parties represented in the House of Commons, the Bloc Québécois, says it will vote with the government. The combination of the votes of Conservative MPs and Bloc representatives will create a majority in the Commons for the deal. The opposition Liberal and New Democratic parties have said they'll vote against the legislation. The U.S. government in 2002 imposed punitive tariffs on imported Canadian softwood timber on the grounds that Canada's forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denies. Under the terms of the accord, $4 billion of the $5 billion imposed in punitive tariffs would be returned to Canada.
Canada's opposition Liberal Party says it will vote against a tentative U.S.-Canada accord aimed at ending the long commercial dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber. The Conservative Party government is expected to introduce legislation in the House of Commons later this month to have the bill approved. The Liberals' negative vote won't block approval, because the Bloc Québécois party has said it will vote with the government, the two formations' numbers forming a majority. The U.S. since 2002 has collected $5 billion in punitive tariff imposed on the grounds that the Canadian forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denies. the Liberals say the government should have awaited the end of all litigation which is still in course before agreeing to a deal. Under the terms of the tentative accord, four-fifths of the tariffs will be returned to Canada. The Liberals claim that the deal effectively dismantles the North American Free Trade Accord between both countries and Mexico.
Friday 01 September 2006 WASHINGTON: U.S. CONSUMER LOBBY SHOCKED BY SOFTWOOD DEAL
An American consumer group has professed shock over the tentative U.S.-Canada accord to end the long dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber. The American Consumers for Affordable Homes, which claims to represent 95 per cent of U.S. lumber consumption, says it's especially shocked by the fact that $1 billion of the $5 billion collected by the U.S. government in punitive tariffs on the Canadian exports won't be returned to Canada, despite that country's repeated victories in litigation at the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Accord. The lobby reports that the $1 billion will be put into two funds, one for a small number of American timber companies and the other a discretionary fund of the U.S. government. The lobby cites statistics of the U.S. Census Bureau that purport to show that the higher lumber prices because of the tariffs have priced 300,000 American families out of the markets for new homes.
Monday 28 August 2006 19:33MONTREAL: QUEBEC UNION BACKS SOFTWOOD DEAL
Quebec's largest union federation favours the softwood lumber agreement the federal government has reached with the Untied States. The Quebec Federation of Labour is urging the federal opposition separatist Bloc Quebecois to vote in favour of the deal when it comes before Parliament this fall. Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper, has said he will make the agreement a vote of confidence, meaning the government would topple if it fails to pass. The opposition New Democratic Party does not support the deal. And the official opposition Liberals want to consult with the forest industry and examine the deal more closely before making their decision.
Thursday Aug 24, 2006 gaz Softwood deal will harm Tories in Quebec
Duceppe: Get set for election, bloc is told. Party leader says he will study legislation before deciding whether to vote it down
Aug. 22, 2006. Wilson sees softwood success
Ambassador cites support for U.S. pact
Sector bullied to okay bad deal: Critics
The deal got strong support from the Quebec government's negotiator in the dispute, former Quebec premier Pierre Marc Johnson.
OTTAWA: U.S. ENVOY RECOMMENDS TIMBER INDUSTRY ACCEPT SOFTWOOD DEAL
Canada's ambassador to the U.S., Michael Wilson, has recommended that his country's forestry industry say yes to the tentative U.S.-Canada accord to end their dispute about imported Canadian softwood lumber. The Canadian government has set Monday as a deadline for that acceptance, failing which Ottawa will cease efforts to solve it. Mr. Wilson says that if the industry turns down the tentative accord, the U.S. side is unlikely to accept any further negotiations. Mr. Wilson says that would only lead to years of international ligitation. The U.S. imposed punitive tariffs on Canadian softwood in 2002, claiming that Canada's forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada has always denied. Under the terms of the accord, fourth-fifths of the $5 billion collected in tariffs would be returned to Canada. Critics of the agreement accuse the Canadian government of selling out the country's best interest. But Mr. Wilson says the deal is the best that could be obtained. The deadline for the industry's acceptance was midnight Monday.
Fri 18/08/2006
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports that Quebec's forestry industry will back the tentative Canada-U.S. accord to end the long trade conflict over imported Canadian softwood lumber. Federal Trade Minister David Emerson had given lumber firms until Monday to say whether they supported the agreement. Under the terms of the accord, Canadian firms which had initiated litigation to protest against punitive tariffs imposed on their products since 2002 are required to withdraw them. Several have said they'll refuse to do so unless the terms of the accord are amended. Some object that only about four-fifths of the $5 billion collected in tariffs will be returned to the Canadian firms that paid them, the rest going to their American competitors which initiated legal action to impel the U.S. government to impose them. Earlier in the week, the governments of B.C. and Ontario expressed their support for the accord.
Thursday 10 August 2006 maisonneuve.org D-DAY FOR SOFTWOOD DEAL
The
Citizen briefs, while the
Post and the
Globe bump to their business sections International Trade Minister
David Emerson’s deadline for industry officials to accept the
softwood lumber agreement with the US. Emerson said that if the deal
doesn’t receive industry support by August 21, it will be scuttled.
His comments followed a meeting with key industry stakeholders in Toronto,
which Emerson portrayed as productive. Displaying what has become trademark
Torie resolve (some might say stubbornness), Emerson said he was open to
“fine-tuning” the deal but maintained that the government has
no intention or reopening negotiations or making substantial changes. He
also issued something of a threat to the industry officials, saying that
“if this deal were not to proceed, then obviously I think it would
be obvious to most people that there would be no further negotiation for
the foreseeable future.” In their coverage, The Citizen and Post
stick primarily with yesterday’s developments, while the Globe
offers a brief overview of the industry opposition. None of today’s
reports, however, go into much detail about the gradual shift in the
position of the Tories, who just weeks ago were threatening to make the
deal a potential government-toppling
confidence vote. Also unmentioned was the recent US
Court of International Trade ruling against the punitive duties
imposed by the US—duties that would only partly be returned under
the current deal. With few industry officials talking after
yesterday’s meeting, such contextual details may have helped readers
better understand the situation.
Sunday 06 August 2006 On another matter, Mr. Harper says it's in the hands of the country's forestry industry and the provincial premiers whether the accord with the U.S. government aimed at ending the long trade dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber will stand or fall. The prime minister says his government won't reopen the tentative agreement with the Americans and also won't present it for approval by Parliament when it resumes in the autumn unless their support firms up over the next two weeks. Mr. Harper says the deal is the best that Canada will ever obtain and isn't worth sacrificing for years of international litigation. The deal ends punitive tariffs which the U.S. imposed on Canadian softwood on the grounds that Canada's forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denies. Four-fifths of the $5 billion collected would be returned, but Canadian firms must drop all litigation. Some of the timber companies have demanded changes to the deal. Federal Trade Minister David Emerson will meet two dozen top lumber executives to try to convince them to agree to the accord.
Friday 04 August 2006 Few tweaks needed for softwood deal, B.C. says
If the Americans are willing to make ''a few tweaks'' to the proposed softwood lumber deal, B.C. Forests Minister Rich Coleman said Thursday that he thinks it will be acceptable.
rci Canadian Trade Minister David Emerson will meet with some of Canada's top forestry executives in Toronto next Wednesday to try to convince them that the tentative accord with the U.S. government to end the trade conflict over Canadian imported softwood lumber is in their best interest. The two dozen executives represent companies that produce 70-per cent of Canadian lumber exports to the U.S. A spokesman for Mr. Emerson says he'll advise the executives that if their industry rejects the deal, the Canadian government will abandon all efforts to resolve it. In 2002, the U.S. government imposed punitive tariffs on imported Canadian softwood lumber on the grounds that Canada's forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denies. Mr. Emerson signed a tentative seven-year accord on July 1 that would end the dispute by Canada's collection of an export tax and the return of four-fifths of the $5 billion in tariffs that have been collected. U.S. firms who complained about the northern competitors would pocket $500 million, and Canadian firms would have to withdraw litigation. Some Canadian exporters have said they won't accept the deal without changes, including the rescinding of a clause that would allow either party to withdraw from the accord after only three years.
rci Tuesday 01 August 2006 OTTAWA, VANCOUVER: MINISTER WARNS THAT LUMBER DEAL COULD COLLAPSE
Canadian trade minister David Emerson says the tentative U.S.-Canada accord might not reach a vote in the House of Commons, which would have to approve it. The minister says that if the provinces and lumber industry don't agree with the deal, it won't be brought before Members of Parliament for a vote. The government has said that the accord with the U.S. is a matter of confidence, meaning that a negative vote would bring the Conservative Party down and force a national election. The tentative agreement in March to end the long, bitter dispute over U.S. punitive tariffs on imported Canadian softwood has been met with considerable hostility by several provincial governments and more than one-half of Canadian timber firms. There is particular objection to a clause that not all the tariff money will be returned, with some of it to go to U.S. lumber companies. Jim Shepherd, the CEO of Canfor Corp., Canada's biggest forestry firm, reiterated his company's support for the deal but expressed doubt whether it will pass without changes.
Sat 22/07/2006 Canada wins key softwood lumber ruling
Canada and its lumber industry have won an important victory against punitive American duties in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Wed 05/07/2006 Feds slam critics of softwood truce
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government is accusing critics of "misconstruing the facts" in their arguments against the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber truce initialled by both governments in Geneva on Saturday.
Tue 04/07/2006 Canada's biggest lumber firm, Canfor Corp., has come out in support of the tentative accord with the U.S. to end the long, bitter dispute over imported Canadian softwood timber. The company says some of its concerns about the framework accord announced in April by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Canfor says both the B.C. and federal government reacted to those concerns in the deal that was signed on Saturday by Canada's trade minister, David Emerson, in Geneva. The accord would allow the U.S. to keep $1 billion of the $5 billion in punitive tariffs which it has collected since 2002 on Canadian softwood exports and limits them if timber prices in the U.S. fall below a certain level. The accord is to be in effect for seven years but has an escape clause that could be invoked after three years.
Sun, 02 Jul 2006 Now that the interminable to-ing and fro-ing on softwood lumber may finally be resolved,
"Trade ministers from Canada and the United States inked the final legal text of a softwood lumber deal on Saturday"
Sun, 02 Jul 2006 Now that the interminable to-ing and fro-ing on softwood lumber may finally be resolved,
"Trade ministers from Canada and the United States inked the final legal text of a softwood lumber deal on Saturday"
Monday, July 03, 2006 OTTAWA: CANADA AND THE UNITED RESOLVE MAJOR TRADE DISPUTE
After years of arguing, Canada and the United States have signed a trade agreement on Canadian softwood lumber exports. The deal came this weekend on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization meeting in Geneva. Under the agreement, the United States will repay about four of the five billion Canadian dollars that it's collected in tariffs over the last several years. But American negotiators managed to add some restrictive clauses to the final deal. Either country will have the right to end the deal after three years. The United States can also limit softwood imports if American lumber prices fall. Canada's trade minister, David Emerson, called the deal a positive one that will ensure stability in the softwood industry. Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the deal a great day for Canda. He will meet U.S. President George W. Bush this week. But a member of the opposition New Democratic Party in the lumber-producing Canadian province of British Columbia, Bob Simpson, said that Canada had made too many concessions.
Sunday, July 02, 2006 Softwood clause could scrap 'long-term' deal by next year
U.S. negotiators in round-the-clock softwood lumber talks are seeking an opt-out clause that could see the long-standing dispute back on the table in little more than a year, CanWest News Service has learned.
Sunday, July 02, 2006 Softwood deal signed
International Trade Minister David Emerson and his U.S. counterpart Susan Schwab put their initials Saturday on a long-sought softwood lumber deal, clearing the way for its enactment later this year.
Sunday Jul 2, 2006
Softwood lumber deal finally nailed down
Canada, U.S. initial agreement. For seven years, with option of two more
...the 80-page agreement is good for the stability of the Canadian lumber industry and good for Canada-U.S. relations. He said he hopes legislation implementing it will be approved by Oct. 1, and that the $4 billion, of the $5 billion they have paid in import duties since 2002, in refunds to Canadian companies will start flowing six weeks after that.
Thursday Jun 22, 2006 No softwood deal likely before Parliament breaks
Trade Minister David Emerson says it's unlikely there will be a final softwood deal with the United States before Parliament breaks this week.
Sunday Jun 4, 2006 rci U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins says the recently negotiated tentative agreement to end the long dispute over Canadian softwood imports to the U.S. is a good deal for both countries. He says both sides have compromised and that he's confident the accord will soon be signed. In remarks before the Maritime Lumber Bureau, he declined to offer an opinion whether the signing could occur before the meeting between the prime minister, Mr. Harper, and U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington on July 6. In Ottawa meanwhile, a lawyer based in Washington, Elliot Feldman, told the House of Commons all-party trade committee that the accord doesn't recognize Canada's string of victories at the dispute-resolution panel of the North American Free Trade Area, predicting that the outcome will destroy NAFTA.
Tuesday May 9, 2006 Softwood deal means tax windfall for Tories
Stephen Harper's Conservative government stands to reap a windfall approaching $1 billion in taxes on duties being refunded to Canadian lumber producers under a controversial deal struck to end the softwood trade war with the United States.
Sunday May 7, 2006 rci OTTAWA, VANCOUVER: RETURNED SOFTWOOD TARIFFS TAXABLE
Canada's international trade department reports that $4 billion in punitive tariffs on imported Canadian softwood lumber will be taxed by governments after the Americans return the money. The department says that any forestry firm that claimed the tariffs as an expense for tax purposes will find the returned money taxable by federal and provincial governments, which most of the firms involved apparently did. The ruling means that as much as $1 billion of the $4 billion in question could end up in government coffers. Canada's biggest lumber firm, Canfor Corp. of Vancouver, will receive back from the U.S. $760 million US, of which it would keep $475 million, or 55 cents on the dollar. However, struggling timber firms in eastern Canada will have the option of deferring tax payments on the returned tariffs. The return of the tariffs is part of the agreement announced on April 27 between the U.S. and Canadian governments to end the long dispute, which still hasn't been finalized.
Monday May 1, 2006
PRIME MINISTER PRAISING SOFTWOOD EXPORT DEAL WITH UNITED STATES
Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper, is in the Atlantic provinces this weekend to meet with politicians of his Conservative Party. Mr. Harper is promoting the new softwood lumber export deal arranged this week with the United States. He says that his government has accomplished more in a few months to end the long dispute over lumber than the Liberal Party government did in years. Mr. Harper rejects opposition party charges that the tentative accord has problems. Under the deal, Canada will accept a limit on softwood lumber exports to the U.S. while the U.S. will return about four-fifths of the CDN$5 billion worth of punitive tariffs that had been collected on Canadian softwood imports since 2002. The U.S. had contended that Canada's forestry industry is subsidize, a charged that Canada hotly contested in international courts. U.S. President George W. Bush said that he's pleased with the deal, which he said shows that members of the North American Free Trade Accord can work together as partners.
How long until next softwood dispute?
Monday May 1, 2006 U.S. hails new era after deal
U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins yesterday called the softwood lumber deal the proof that Canada matters in Washington, and the precursor of a new era of co-operation between the two countries.
Monday May 1, 2006 rci U.S. President George W. Bush says he's pleased with the conclusion of a tentative accord between his country and Canada to end the long, bitter trade dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber. Mr. Bush offered praise for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and negotiators on both sides for their work to reach the accord. The president added that the agreement proves that partners in the North American Free Trade Accord can work together as partners. A NAFTA dispute-resolution panel ruled half-a-dozen times in Canada's favour in the lumber dispute but Mr. Bush's government ignored the rulings. U.S. ambassador David Wilkins, for his part, describes the relationship between Mr. Harper's and Mr. Bush's government as "a breath of fresh air." The ambassador says that relationship has been clouded by disputes over lumber, continental missile defence and Iraq, but that perhaps the two nations are entering a period in which both are focussed on ties that bind. Under the terms of the agreement, Canada accepts a cap on softwood lumber exports to the U.S., while the U.S. will return about four-fifths of the $5 billion worth of punitive tariffs on the exports which have been collected since 2002. The U.S. government had contended that the Canadian forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denied.
The agreement to end the lumber quarrel has won support in Canada's Maritime provinces because the region's timber industry is exempt from its quotas and export taxes. The president of the Maritime Lumber Bureau, Diana Blenkhorn, says the accord is imperfect but fair, adding that it recognizes that lumber felled in the region comes from private wood lots, compared with the timber operations elsewhere on Crown lands. Exports to the U.S. will require the Bureau's certificate of origin. The accord is also supported by New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord, who says it recognizes Atlantic Canada's lumber industry as unique. Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald says the agreement meets his province's goal of stability in the timber industry.
THE LEADS:
Friday Apr 28, 2006 maisonneuve.org
THE NATIONAL: "It’s a Deal: The long trade war is over;
How the softwood lumber dispute came to
an end and what it means for Canada"
CTV NEWS: "Softwood
Settlement: Canada and the US finally see the wood for the
trees"
GLOBE AND MAIL: "PM
wins softwood truce"
TORONTO STAR: "Revised
deal ends lumber dispute"
NATIONAL POST: "Softwood
deal reached"
LA PRESSE: "Softwood
lumber: “Today is a great day,” says Harper"
OTTAWA CITIZEN: "Softwood
deal ‘delivers,’ PM boasts"
THE STRAIGHT GOODS:
Canada and the US have agreed on a deal to settle the long-running
softwood lumber dispute. Iran is expected to ignore today’s deadline
set by the Security Council demanding that Tehran halt all nuclear
activities. Quebec’s high school history curriculum is set for a
controversial facelift.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FREE TRADE WALKS SOFTWOOD LUMBER PLANK
The Big
Seven leads with the Conservative government’s successful
negotiation of a pact resolving the long-running softwood lumber dispute
with the US. The new agreement includes the lifting of tariffs on lumber
exported to the US, and requires the United States to return $4 billion in
trade duties back to Canadian firms. But as the
Globe explains, the deal is contingent on current market conditions,
with Canada’s industry agreeing to a 34 percent cap on its US
market-share and the imposition of export taxes should the price of lumber
drop below $355 per thousand board sheet from its current price of $370.
The export taxes would be collected by Canada and would range from 5 to 15
percent. The current tariff imposed by the US checks in at around 10
percent, having been cut from 27 percent after review and trade panel
rulings went Canada’s way, notes the
Star.
The consensus on the opinion pages is that the deal sounds the death
knell for what the Star’s Thomas
Walkom calls the “myth of free trade.” Walkom argues that
“thanks to yesterday's deal, we can stop pretending we have a free
trade arrangement with the US,” and suggests that the agreement has
effectively “served fair warning that Canada will face similar trade
restrictions on any future export that threatens powerful US
interests.” On the National’s "At Issue" panel (not
available online), Andrew Coyne insisted it was Canada who got the ball
rolling with its hidden subsidies to the softwood lumber industry. And the
Globe’s Jeffrey
Simpson adds to the chorus, arguing that “it didn't matter how
many favourable North American free-trade agreement rulings. It didn't
matter how much Canadian speechifying. It didn't matter how much Canadian
lobbying. There wasn't going to be free trade in lumber. There wasn't free
trade in the original Canada-US deal, and there wouldn't ever be.”
Still, Simpson concludes, the deal brings a stability to the haggard
softwood lumber market and “should therefore be
supported.”
Friday Apr 28, 2006 Time to accept lumber deal, move on
After years of acrimony with the United States over softwood lumber, it's tough to say "yes" to the Americans and accept the tentative settlement unveiled yesterday to end one of the world's longest-running trade disputes.
Conservative government wins softwood truce
Seven-year deal ends one of Canada's costliest trade wars and returns $4-billion (U.S.) in duties to Canadian firms; U.S. allowed to keep about $1-billion of the duties it levied even though Ottawa won major NAFTA legal battles
Selling us short on softwood lumber
Job losses feared over pact
Lumber firms want hydro rebate
Thunder Bay, Ont.?With Ontario now behind a tentative agreement to end the decades-long Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute, four provincial ministers are set to meet with forest industry executives today to discuss a proposed energy rebate for Ontario's saw and pulp and paper mill operators.
Softwood industry must look abroad
Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke withconviction when he stood up in the House of Commons late yesterday to announce formally that Canada had reached an agreement with the United States to end the long and bitter trade fight over Canadian softwood exports. The pact "will finally put an end to this conflict," Harper said, adding that it is "a good deal."
Friday Apr 28, 2006 RCI Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed in the House of Commons on Thursday reports on Wednesday evening that the governments of Canada and the U.S. have reached a tentative accord to end the long, acrimonious trade conflict over imported Canadian softwood lumber, which the U.S. government had earlier confirmed. Mr. Harper told Members of Parliament that the Americans had accepted several conditions which Canada had stipulated and that the accord is a "good" one. The latest phase in the decades-old lumber dispute began in 2002 when Washington imposed punitive tariffs on imported Canadian softwood on the grounds that the Canadian forestry sector is subsidized, which Canada denies. The framework agreement would see a cap on Canada's share of the U.S. softwood lumber market. The Canadian government would impose a border tax on the timber exports to the U.S., which country would return 78 per cent of the $5 billion in punitive tariffs that have been imposed since the latest phase of the conflict in 2002. Mr. Harper says the accord would give Canadian producers unrestricted access to U.S. markets under present conditions, and that there will be no quotas. He also says the accord is supported by the provinces of British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario. On Wednesday, Ontario Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay says the proposed accord would cut Ontario's share of softwood exports to nine per cent, while in a prosperous year it can rise as high as 12 per cent. The minister says this would devastate employees of companies like Tembec and Domtar whose communities are "totally dependent" on forestry. [ U.S. OWES CANADA $5 but only pays $4. So is there a $1 benifit to Canada hidden some where?]
Revised deal ends lumber fight
Canada has resolved its softwood lumber dispute with the United States, ending a trade spat that had stretched on for years and strained ties between the two trading partners. Graham Fraser, Bruce Campion-Smith and Robert Benzie report.
Friday Apr 28, 2006 rci OTTAWA: OPPOSITION IRATE OVER TIMBER DEAL
Meanwhile, the interim leader of the opposition Liberal Party, Bill Graham, has denounced the accord as a sellout of Canada's interests, as well as and a "great day" for the U.S. lumber industry and a dark day for free trade and Canadian lumber firms. The leader of the New Democratic Party, Jack Layton, says it's outrageous that $1 billion of the $5 billion collected in punitive tariffs not be returned, calling the retention of the sum a theft
Thursday Apr 27, 2006 rci The Canadian Press news agency reports that there's a tentative resolution of the long, bitter trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. over imported Canadian softwood lumber. However, federal Trade Minister David Emerson denied in the House of Commons on Wednesday morning that there is any deal. According to CP, the two governments have reached a "framework" accord to end the conflict. The agreement would see a cap on Canada's share of the U.S. softwood lumber market. The Canadian government would impose a border tax on the timber exports to the U.S., which country would return 78 per cent of the $5 billion in punitive tariffs that have been imposed since the latest phase of the conflict in 2002. There would also be a "sliding" tax on imported Canadian timber once softwood prices fall below a certain level. The Ontario Forest Industries says its members will reject the tentative dead, saying they can accept a cap but not the tax. The two sides have been arguing about Canadian timber exports for three decades, with the Americans arguing that the Canadian forestry industry is subsidized and Canada denying it. The CEO of the Abitibi-Consolidated forestry firm, John Weaver, says he supports the deal negotiated by Ottawa and hopes the provinces will as well.
Wednesday Apr 26, 2006 globe Softwood lumber deal appears closeMonday Apr 17, 2006 rci WAINWRIGHT: PM CAUTIOUS ON AID BECAUSE OF SOFTWOOD CONFLICT
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government likely won't announce federal aid to Canada's forestry industry because of the softwood lumber dispute with the U.S. if progress is made in negotiations to end it. Mr. Harper says that U.S. President George W. Bush has expressed a willingness to resolve the dispute and therefore it is unhelpful to proceed with any aid program while waiting to see if that willingness leads to a result. Earlier this month, Mr. Harper's trade minister, David Emerson, said an aid package including loan guarantees was being prepared for the forestry industry. Thousands of lumber jobs have been lost since the U.S. started imposing punitive tariffs in 2002 on imported Canadian softwood lumber on the grounds that the Canadian lumber industry is subsidized, an accusation which Canada denies.
Saturday Apr 15, 2006 rci WASHINGTON: CANADA LOSES LUMBER DECISION
Canada has lost a ruling at the World Trade Organization on softwood lumber. The WTO says that Canada is dumping subsidized softwood on the U.S. market. And it criticized Canada for preparing an aid package for softwood producers. Canada insists it is not subsidizing softwood and submitted the case to a panel of the North American Free Trade Accord. The panel sided with Canada on three separate occasions. Canadian and American officials are talking about resuming negotiations to settle the long-running dispute.
Apr 7, 2006 RCI Canada's trade minister, David Emerson, has welcomed a ruling by the United States Court of International Trade that prevents the U.S. government from distributing punitive tariffs imposed on Canadian imports to American firms that bring litigation against their Canadian competitors, an action permitted under the "Byrd amendment." However, Mr. Emerson also notes that while the ruling prevent the American litigators from receiving the revenue from the tariffs, it doesn't prevent the U.S. government from collecting them. Canada's lumber industry and the Canadian government have been clamouring for the return of the more than $5 billion that has been imposed in tariffs on Canadian imported softwood lumber.
Tuesday Apr 4, 2006 WTO rules against Canada in softwood appeal
Canada lost another ruling before the World Trade Organization in its dispute with the United States over softwood lumber duties.
Monday Apr 3, 2006 rci The U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, predicted on Sunday that the two countries could resolve their dispute over softwood lumber exports this year. Speaking in a television interview, Mr. Wilkins said both sides recognize that it is in their best interests to solve the long-standing dispute. American lumber makers have argued that Canadian lumber is unfairly subsidized because the government charges low stumpage fees for cutting trees in Crown forests. The United States has collected more than CDN$5 billion in punitive tariffs. Canadian producers want the money returned because international trade tribunals have supported Canada's position under the North American Free Trade Agreement. Last month, Canada won a major battle when a NAFTA panel ruled to eliminate most of the punitive duties. The U.S. has the option to appeal the ruling. Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper, and U.S. President George W. Bush discussed softwood lumber at their summit in Mexico last week.
Friday Mar 31, 2006 rci In another development, the U.S. National Association of Home Builders says that Canada is about to win a complete legal victory after years of litigation over the softwood issue and therefore should not agree to resume negotiations with the U.S. government on the issue. The Association says that Canadian politicians who have raised the possibility of a return to the bargaining table are sending a message to Washington that Canada isn't serious about free trade. And the group says that any deal that would restrict Canada's access to U.S. markets would force home builders to seek supplies in Germany, Sweden and Russia. The Association has long defended the view that the punitive tariffs on Canadian lumber drives up the cost of building new homes.
Wed. Mar. 29 2006 Bush 'hopes' lumber issue can be resolved
CTV.ca News Staff
In an exclusive interview with CTV News, U.S. President George Bush says he certainly hopes the softwood lumber trade dispute can be resolved before his presidency ends, improving what he calls a strong and important relationship between the two countries.
Saturday Mar 18, 2006 rci Canada has won still another legal victory in its trade dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber. The dispute-resolution panel of the North American Free Trade Accord has ruled that the punitive tariffs imposed on the product are unjustified. The tariffs were imposed in 2002 on the grounds that the Canadian forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denies. The panel comprises three Americans and two Canadians, who ruled unanimously. This is the sixth time that it has ruled in the dispute. Canadian Trade Minister David Emerson welcomed the latest decision and expressed the hope that it will lead to a resolution of the long, bitter conflict. The U.S. has ignored NAFTA and WTO judgments in the matter that have been negative to its arguments. The Canadian government says that Canadian timber firms have paid $5.2 billion in punitive tariffs since the dispute began.
Friday Dec 23, 2005 ts U.S. Senate votes to end trade law
The U.S. Senate has voted to dump a trade law that allows American companies to profit from penalties on such Canadian imports as softwood lumber, reports Beth Gorham.
Wednesday Dec 21, 2005 rci U.S. lumber producers are appealing a decision by the U.S. Commerce Department to drop penalties on Canadian softwood lumber.
The department said last month it would comply with a free trade panel order backing Canada.
Now the U.S. Lumber Coalition is fighting that decision.
Canadian officials say the decision is another example of American producers using every possible method to delay the lifting of duties on lumber imports.
U.S. Commerce officials recently cut by half duties of some 20 per cent of Canadian imports of softwood lumber. The long-running battle between the two countries has become a fixture in Canada's election campaign.
Wednesday Dec 21, 2005 ts U.S. lumber firms appeal duty ruling
American lumber producers are fighting a move by U.S. officials to comply with a free trade panel's order to cut penalties on Canadian softwood lumber, reports Beth Gorham.
Wednesday Dec 7, 2005 globe U.S. slashes softwood duties
Lower rate expected to save Canadian lumber firms about $600-million a year
Tuesday Dec 6, 2005 rci Canada's international trade department says Canada has won the latest round of litigation with the U.S. concerning imported Canadian softwood lumber at the World Trade Organization. The department says the WTO's appellate body has upheld Canada's contention that the U.S. procedures to calculate the punitive tariffs on the imports aren't consist with the organization's regulations. The affair will now go to arbitration to determine the amount of retaliatory tariffs that Canada will be permitted to impose on U.S. imports to Canada. Canada also has won five consecutive rulings on the dispute by the dispute-resolution mechanism of the North American Free Trade Area, rulings which the U.S. refuses to respect. The two countries have been arguing about the question since the U.S. government imposed the tariffs in 2002 on the grounds that Canada's forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denies.
Saturday Nov 26, 2005 rci Canadian Trade Minister Jim Peterson has defended the $1.2-billion aid package announced on Thursday to help Canada's lumber industry. Mr. Peterson says the government will continue to support the industry as long as the U.S. continues to levy punitive tariffs on imported Canadian softwood lumber. The minister referred to five separate decisions by the conflict-resolution panel of the North American Free Trade Accord that the tariffs are unjustified. The U.S. trade representative reacted to the report of the aid package as further proof that Canada's forestry is subsidized, which Canada denies. The Canadian government has demanded the U.S. return the $5 billion of tariffs collected since 2002.
Wednesday Nov 23, 2005 Gordon Ritchie,,
Softwood & Our Trade Deals In The Future
Duration:9m 7s
Wednesday Nov 23, 2005 cc U.S. to drop softwood duties, but may appeal
The U.S. Commerce Department said Tuesday it will comply with a free trade panel order to cut penalties on Canadian softwood lumber but there's no end yet to a bitter fight that's raising hackles on both sides of the border.
Wednesday Nov 23, 2005 ts U.S. blinks on softwood
Canada has gained an important "step forward" from the U.S. in the softwood-lumber dispute, says Prime Minister Paul Martin, but not the complete victory his government is seeking, reports Susan Delacourt.
Wednesday Nov 23, 2005 rci The U.S. commerce department says it will comply with an order to lower its punitive tariffs on imported Canadian softwood lumber but won't do so immediately. The department says it has as long a six weeks to lower the tariffs to .08 per cent and will appeal the fifth decision by the dispute-resolution panel of the North American Free Trade Area that the tariffs are unjustified. The U.S. imposed the tariffs on the grounds that Canada's forestry is subsidized, which Canada denies. The World Trade Organization has on the other hand ruled several times in favour of the Americans in the dispute.
TORONTO: FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR URGING END TO TRADE DISPUTE
The former U.S. ambassador to Canada, Paul Celucci, is warning that tariffs imposed by his country on Canadian softwood lumber might hurt the American economy. Mr. Celucci said that in the aftermath of the hurricanes that hit southern American states last summer, the United States is going to need more construction lumber. A tariff on Canadian lumber would add to the cost of reconstruction. Mr.Cellucci is urging both sides to get back to negotiations to resolve their dispute. Canada's prime minister, Paul Martin, discussed the issue with U.S. President George W. Bush on the sidelines of this weekend's APEC summit in South Korea. Mr. Martin said that the steep tariffs imposed on Canadian lumber exports to the U.S. go against the North American Free Trade Agreement. A NAFTA dispute-resolution panel has five times ruled that the tariffs are unjustified. The U.S. government has ignored the rulings.
Tuesday Nov 22, 2005 United States says it will cut softwood lumber duties
WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department said Tuesday it will comply with a NAFTA panel's order to drastically cut U.S. duties on imports of Canadian softwood lumber.
16 Nov 05 globe U.S. wins softwood-lumber ruling: WTO
Latest softwood-lumber ruling says U.S. has made enough changes to its import duties
1:38 PM | FULL STORY
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 np NAFTA gives U.S. one week to cut softwood duties
WASHINGTON -- A NAFTA panel is giving the United States one week to drastically cut duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports.
The panel, struck under the North American Free Trade Agreement, is calling on Washington to all but eliminate punishing lumber penalties of more than 16 per cent.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 np Canada to appeal latest softwood ruling
Canada is downplaying a ruling by the World Trade Organization that favours the United States in the softwood lumber dispute.
Saturday Nov 19, 2005 rci Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin rebuked U.S. President George W. Bush over a trade dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber on Friday at a meeting of four of the 21 leaders gathered in Pusan, South Korea, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit. Mr. Martin told the president that the punitive duties which the U.S. has imposed on Canadian timber send a negative message to countries which the U.S. is courting for free-trade arrangements. The prime minister also told Mr. Bush that his government's behaviour in the softwood file is incompatible with the goal of liberalized world trade. Mr. Martin asked the president as well how his government can expect Latin America to trust American promises on trade when even his country's northern neighbour is having trouble doing so because of the softwood dispute. The two other leaders present at the discussion were those of Mexico and Peru. A dispute-resolution panel of the North American Free Trade Area has five times ruled that the tariffs on Canadian softwood are unjustified but the U.S. government has ignored the rulings.
Friday Nov 18, 2005 globe Martin rebukes Bush at APEC over trade
Says U.S. trade credibility in doubt because of refusal to respect NAFTA ruling on Canadian softwood lumber
Thursday Nov 17, 2005 rci Canada has won another decision by the dispute-resolution mechanism of the North American Free Trade Accord but it's far from certain it will end the long, bitter trade dispute with the U.S. over imported softwood lumber. The NAFTA panel has given the U.S. until Wednesday to reduce the punitive tariffs which it collects on the Canadian timber and also rejected an American request for a delay in rendering the decision. The panel has told the U.S. five times that the tariffs are unjustified and should be returned. In August, Canada broke off negotiations on the issue after Washington refused to heed one of the findings. Earlier in the week, Canada lost a decision on one aspect of the conflict rendered by the World Trade Organization.
Wednesday Nov 16, 2005 ts U.S. winner in latest ruling on softwood
The latest round in the long-running battle between Canada and the United States over softwood lumber goes to the U.S., thanks to the World Trade Organization, reports Stuart Laidlaw.
[For background on softwood lumber, see CBC's excellent pages at: softwood_lumber/ and/or the pages on the Department of Foreign Affairs and InternationalTrade at: dfait-maeci.gc.ca/eicb/softwood/ and Wed1234 ]
Monday Oct 31, 2005 rci Prime Minister Paul Martin insisted on Sunday that Canada will not give up on a long-running trade dispute over softwood exports with the United States. Mr. Martin says that the federal government is ready to go to court to deal with the issue. His comments were made in the first of a new series of weekly radio addresses to the nation. The short radio spots are paid for by Mr. Martin's Liberal Party. The prime minister said that the United States had repeatedly ignored rulings from panels set up under the North American Free Trade Agreement. NAFTA's dispute-resolution panel has ruled five times that the punitive U.S. tariffs imposed on Canada's softwood lumber are unjustified and that the money should be returned to Canada. Canadian forestry firms have paid more than US$5 billion in tariffs since they were imposed in 2002.
Saturday Oct 29, 2005 rci OTTAWA: U.S. AGAIN DILLYDALLIES ON SOFTWOOD
The U.S. department of commerce says it will delay acting on the latest ruling by the North American Free Trade Accord on the U.S.-Canada dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber. The department says it needs clarification from the trade body on several points. NAFTA's dispute-resolution panel ruled five times that the punitive tariffs imposed on the lumber are unjustified and should be returned to Canada. Canadian forestry firms have paid more than $5 billion in tariffs since they were imposed in 2002 and want the money given back. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during her visit to Canada this week that Washington wanted to negotiate an end to the dispute. Canada broke off negotiations after the fourth NAFTA ruling in Canada's favour during the summer was ignored by Washington. The Americans claim the Canadian forestry industry benefits from unfair subsidies, which Canada disputes.
Wednesday Oct 26, 2005 rci OTTAWA: U.S. TOP DIPLOMAT UNYIELDING ON TRADE DISPUTE
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has concluded a 22-hour visit to Canada, her first since assuming her position. One of the main topics in her discussions with Prime Minister Paul Martin and Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew was the bilateral trade dispute over imported Canadian softwood lumber. Miss Rice says resumed negotiation is Canada's only hope of resolving the matter. The secretary of state also deprecated the tough language on the dispute by several cabinet ministers. The U.S. has collected punitive tariffs on imported Canadian softwood since 2002 on the grounds that the Canadian forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denies.
Canada broke off the softwood negotiations last summer after the U.S. ignored a ruling by the dispute-resolution panel of the North American Free Trade Accord which found the tariffs unjustified. On a second subject, Miss Rice responded to Canadian complaints that the U.S. isn't doing enough to stop the smuggling of guns into Canada by saying that police on both sides of the border are at present conducting 40 joint investigations into the smuggling of firearms. Dalton McGuinty, the premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, recently blamed the U.S. as the source of many of the illegal weapons in circulation in Canada. The city of Toronto has been the scene of a series of gang-related shooting deaths in recent months.
Tuesday Oct 25, 2005 nyt Lost in the Woods
By LAWRENCE HERMAN and GARY HUFBAUER
The dispute over Canadian lumber exports has escalated to the point where it now threatens broader relations between the U.S. and Canada.
|
BBC
