NEWS RELEASES
September 29, 2006 (7:35 p.m. EDT)
No. 112
CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES AGREE TO EXTEND
IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE SOFTWOOD LUMBER AGREEMENT
The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of International Trade, today announced
that Canada’s New Government and the United States have agreed to extend the entry-into-force date of the Softwood Lumber Agreement to no later than November 1,
fulfilling a commitment to assist Canadian companies as they finalize implementation
issues.
The limited extension comes after close consultation with and in direct response to
requests from industry. It should have no impact on the swift return of billions of dollars
to Canadian softwood producers.
“The Softwood Lumber Agreement was negotiated in close cooperation with our
softwood lumber industry and the provinces, and we are committed to implementing it in
the best interests of Canada and the overwhelming majority of companies and
provinces that support it,” said Minister Emerson. “In this spirit of cooperation, our
Government has responded to requests from industry to allow them more time to
complete the complex but necessary paperwork required on both sides of the border.”
Canada and the United States are also awaiting a decision from the U.S. Court of
International Trade that is necessary for the entry into force of the Agreement.
“Our Government, backed by the majority support of Parliament, is committed to
bringing this Agreement into force and to ensuring that companies can begin to benefit
from it as soon as possible,” added Minister Emerson. “Many have already completed
the necessary documentation on the deposits refund mechanism, and Export
Development Canada will continue to process registrations over the coming weeks to
ensure that companies receive their refunds as quickly as possible.”
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Jennifer Chiu
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and
the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics
613-992-7332
Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
http://www.international.gc.ca
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