NEWS RELEASES

November 24, 2005 (6:15 p.m. EST)
No. 236

MINISTER PETERSON STATEMENT FOLLOWING UNITED STATES CRITICISM OF CANADA’S SUPPORT FOR FORESTRY INDUSTRY

International Trade Minister Jim Peterson issued the following statement in response to a news release by United States Trade Representative Rob Portman and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez:

“Canada will vigorously defend its efforts to help sustain an industry that is being unjustly persecuted while the United States continues to ignore NAFTA panel decisions.

“Panel after panel has found that Canadian softwood lumber is not subsidized. The United States claims that it has complied with NAFTA. In fact, the United States will only have complied with NAFTA when it stops collecting the duties and refunds the deposits. The people of Canada and the United States alike have unjustly suffered for years due to the continued harassment by the U.S. Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports.

“If the United States actually does the right thing—that is, drop the duties and return our money—the support package can be reviewed. Until then, the Government of Canada will stand behind our workers and we will keep reminding the United States of the need to respect the letter and spirit of NAFTA.”

The news release issued by Mr. Portman and Mr. Gutierrez is available at www.ustr.gov. 

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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.international.gc.ca