Emerson Admits Softwood Deal Can Be Amended

Prime Minister Stephen Harper must amend the softwood lumber agreement after Conservative Trade Minister David Emerson admitted to a parliamentary trade committee today that it is legally possible to do so, said Liberal Trade committee members today.

“The prime minister has either been lying to Canadians or has shown a frightening lack of understanding of this agreement,” said Liberal Trade Critic Dominic LeBlanc following today’s meeting of the Standing Committee on International Trade.

Along with Mr. LeBlanc, Liberal committee members Mark Eyking, Lui Temelkovski and John Maloney spearheaded the call to have the committee recalled to hear from Mr. Emerson and industry representatives who have argued that the Conservative government is not acting in their interest .

Despite the Conservative government’s prior insistence to the contrary, Mr. Emerson today admitted that changes can be made to the softwood deal within 18-month time if there is agreement by both parties.

“It’s time for this government to step up to the plate, listen to what the industry representatives are saying and work towards some very serious amendments to this very bad deal,” said Mr. Maloney.

The Canadian forest industry and lumber-exporting provincial governments have been fuming over the last minute concessions made to American trade negotiators earlier this month. Under the formal text of the agreement, lumber-exporting provinces and producers must abandon all litigation against the United States and give up their claim to the entire $5 billion in illegal duties.

In addition, Canadian softwood producers will have to report every change in forest management practices and taxation to the U.S. government, while American companies will not face the same examination of their practices.

Mr. Emerson also told the committee that if the industry and provinces don’t agree with the deal, it will not be put to a vote in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Harper had previously threatened that a vote on the flawed deal would be treated as a confidence motion.that could potentially bring down the government.

Liberal Associate Trade Critic Mark Eyking welcomed the Conservatives’ decision to back down from their political ultimatum.

“We are pleased that this government has finally seen the light in this regard and is willing to put the softwood industry and its workers ahead of its own political interests,” he said.
Liberal committee members also tabled a motion today calling on U.S. Ambassador Michael

Wilson to go before the committee to explain why the government brokered this disastrous deal for the Canadian softwood industry and its workers.

The motion passed unanimously.
Ambassador Wilson has been closely involved in the negotiations and has taken a prominent role on behalf of the government in the public debate that has ensued.

Mr. Temelkovski argued that Ambassador Wilson must appear before the committee to explain why he has defended the flawed deal.

“For Mr. Emerson to come before this committee and tell us things that are contrary to what his government has been saying all along is proof that we need more clarity here,” said Mr. Temelkovski. “Several crucial questions remain about the devilish details of this agreement, including any amendment clause, and Mr. Wilson is the man to answer them.”