SPEECHES
August 10, 2005
TORONTO, Ontario
2005/29
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY
THE HONOURABLE JIM PETERSON,
MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AFTER THE
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NAFTA EXTRAORDINARY
CHALLENGE COMMITTEE DECISION ON SOFTWOOD LUMBER
Important victory
We are very pleased with today’s decision.
An ECC panel formed of people from both the United States and Canada has said the
U.S. must stop collecting the duties, and return those collected to date.
This is a strong vindication for the Canadian softwood lumber workers and industry.
I want to thank Canadian provinces, industry and workers for their continued
collaboration as we pursue an end to this dispute.
This decision clearly eliminates the basis for U.S.-imposed duties on Canadian
softwood lumber. We call on the United States to abide by it, as required by U.S. law
and the NAFTA.
It is a key victory.
But we have to be prepared
Moving forward, we must take every measure necessary to ensure Canada’s rights are
respected.
So our full-court press continues and involves:
• litigation to ensure the United States respects its international obligations,
including possible retaliation under the WTO; and
• negotiating with our American colleagues — through the top-notch negotiating
team we have put in place.
The surest way to put a real end to this or any future dispute is through negotiation —
we have known all along that litigation could go well into 2007 and beyond.
Today’s decision makes our Canadian negotiating position stronger than ever.
And let’s be clear: we will only negotiate a deal that is in the best interests of Canada.
This dispute has dragged on too long. It is time to put it behind us and focus our efforts
on improving the competitiveness of the North American industry and finding a fair deal
for Canadian and U.S. workers alike.
We will continue discussing with the United States with a view to finding an enduring
resolution to the softwood lumber dispute. We believe the U.S. strongly supports free
trade as much as we do and they want to see an end to this as well.
I intend to continue to be in close contact with my American counterpart to ensure the
Canadian view is heard loud and clear.
Prime Minister Paul Martin continues to raise it at every opportunity with President
Bush.
I can assure you that we — working in concert with Canadian stakeholders —
are giving this file all of the attention it deserves.
Thank you.
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