NEWS RELEASES

September 18, 2006 (4:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 105

MINISTER EMERSON TABLES NOTICE OF WAYS AND MEANS MOTION TO IMPLEMENT SOFTWOOD LUMBER AGREEMENT

The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, today tabled a Notice of Ways and Means Motion in the House of Commons to implement Canada’s commitments under the Softwood Lumber Agreement.

“Today we are taking another step toward the entry into force of the Softwood Lumber Agreement—a long-term agreement that will provide a stable environment for the lumber industry, communities and workers across Canada,” said Minister Emerson.

A Notice of Ways and Means Motion must be tabled in the House of Commons and approved before legislation can be introduced. The Ways and Means Motion allows the Government of Canada to collect the export and other charges on a provisional basis, pending parliamentary approval of the implementing legislation. The Motion announces that, as of October 1, 2006, the Government intends to impose a charge on softwood lumber exports to the United States and on refunds of certain duty deposits paid to the United States. It is proposed that the legislation be deemed to have come into force on that date.

Canada’s new Government intends to introduce this new legislation in the House of Commons shortly, which will allow Canada to fully implement its commitments under the Softwood Lumber Agreement. Specifically, it will permit the Government to impose a charge on the export of certain softwood lumber products to the United States and on refunds of duty deposits paid to the United States, to authorize payments, to amend the Export and Import Permits Act, and to amend other acts as a consequence.

“This Agreement has the support of two national governments and all the key lumber-producing provinces, as well as an overwhelming majority of industry players,” said Minister Emerson. “It is now up to Parliamentarians to respect the wishes of Canadians.”

The text of the motion is available at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/eicb/softwood/pdfs/NWMM.pdf.

More information is also available at http://www.softwoodlumber.gc.ca.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Robert Klager
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics
613-996-8605

Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
http://www.international.gc.ca