NEWS RELEASES
May 17, 2004 (4:35 p.m. EDT) No. 72
MINISTERS AGREE TO GO BACK TO U.S. ON SOFTWOOD LUMBER
International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today hosted a federal-provincial-territorial
ministers' meeting in Ottawa to discuss the ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the
U.S. The ministers agreed to re-engage with the United States to find a durable policy-based solution to the softwood lumber dispute.
"My colleagues and I had a productive exchange of views," said Minister Peterson. "I
am pleased that we agreed that our principal goal is to achieve a long-term resolution of
the dispute, and that forest policy changes offer the best hope for such a resolution."
To that end, the ministers renewed their commitment to work together to resolve the
softwood lumber dispute. They also agreed to renew discussions with the U.S. The
ministers underscored that forest policy reform, with clear and certain exits, must be the
basis for re-engagement.
The ministers also discussed the possibility of pursuing a binational panel mechanism
to assist in resolving issues related to provincial forest policy reforms. This panel could
be used to settle or avert future disputes and add objectivity to the process.
The ministers will begin work immediately to consult with their industry stakeholders.
The ministers will speak again in two weeks.
In the meantime, they agreed to continuing litigation as long as this dispute remains
unresolved. Canada's position has been strengthened by recent decisions.
Ministers from all of the major softwood lumber-producing provinces, accounting for
over 97 percent of exports to the U.S., attended the ministerial meeting. These included
British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Manitoba and
Saskatchewan.
The Government of Canada further demonstrated its support for the softwood lumber
industry by filing a legal brief with the NAFTA anti-dumping panel to ensure that West
Fraser Timber Co. of Vancouver, B.C., receives a full refund of the anti-dumping duties
it has paid. On April 21, the U.S. Department of Commerce determined that West
Fraser is to be excluded from anti-dumping duties on shipments to the United States.
The U.S. has taken the position that it will not refund these duties.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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