Conservatives Must Listen to Lumber Industry on Softwood Deal: Liberal Trade Critic

Liberal Trade Critic Dominic LeBlanc today called on International Trade Minister David Emerson to use his upcoming meeting with lumber industry representatives to truly listen to their concerns and work toward a softwood lumber deal that is good for Canada.

“This meeting provides the Conservative government with a rare second opportunity to do what they should have done initially – consult Canada’s softwood lumber producers on a deal that affects their very livelihood,” said Mr. LeBlanc.

“It is shameful that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Trade Minister have completely shut industry representatives out of the process until now. They must use this opportunity to rectify that grave error in judgment – not as a forum for continued threats to withdraw support if the industry refuses to play ball on the flawed deal.”

Minister Emerson will meet with Canada’s top lumber industry CEOs in Toronto next week for what he has termed a “frank discussion” about the contentious softwood lumber deal.

Canada’s softwood producers have strenuously objected to the terms of the current deal, which includes a termination clause allowing the Americans to pull out after two years and leaves $1 billion in tariffs on the table – half of which is set to go to the powerful American lumber lobby whose sole purpose is to fight the Canadian industry.

“The lumber industry was as shocked as the rest of the country when Prime Minister Harper signed the deficient softwood deal under the cover of darkness in a hotel in Geneva on Canada Day. It is now time for this government to step up to the plate, listen to industry representatives and return to the negotiating table,” said Mr. LeBlanc.

“The Conservatives must commit to amending this flawed treaty and working toward a deal that the industry and its workers can support.”