NEWS RELEASES

July 27, 2001 (8:20 p.m. EDT) No. 113

PETTIGREW WELCOMES U.S. DECISION TO EXEMPT

ATLANTIC CANADA FROM LUMBER INVESTIGATION

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today welcomed the decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to exempt Atlantic Canada from the softwood lumber countervailing duty investigation.

"I am very pleased that Atlantic Canada producers will no longer be included in the countervailing duty investigation," said Mr. Pettigrew. "No subsidy allegations were made against producers in Atlantic Canada. We have worked closely with the Atlantic Provinces and the Maritime Lumber Bureau to remove Atlantic Canada companies from the investigation."

Canada remains committed to fighting the U.S. trade action. Federal and provincial governments and industry associations will continue to mount a strong defence against the subsidy and injury allegations. U.S. Commerce Department decisions are expected with respect to the exclusion of independent remanufacturers, Quebec border mills and a number of products.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Mora Johnson

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874