NEWS RELEASES

September 13, 2005 (2:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 161

STATEMENT BY MINISTER PETERSON ON SOFTWOOD LUMBER

International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today issued the following statement on the intention of the U.S. lumber industry association Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports to challenge the constitutionality of U.S. legislation implementing the dispute settlement system of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA):

“This is nothing more than a veiled attempt by the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports to undo the softwood victories that Canada has achieved through NAFTA.

“We stand ready to vigourously defend NAFTA and we will take all steps open to us to ensure that it is respected.”

- 30 -

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
International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca