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Softwood Lumber |
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The history of Canada's softwood lumber disputes with the United States
is a long one. The first skirmishes date back to disagreements between
New Brunswick and Maine in the 1820s. The issue of lumber also figured
prominently when the U.S. House of Representatives considered a reciprocity
treaty with Canada in 1853, as well as in later disagreements throughout
the late 1800s and 1900s.
After several subsequent disputes over Canadian exports of softwood lumber
to the United States during the last two decades, in September 1996, Canada
and the United States established the Softwood Lumber
Agreement 1996 in order to manage this issue. Upon its expiry on March
31, 2001, U.S. lumber producers have once again sought to hinder imports
of Canadian softwood lumber.
Prior to entry into force of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement
2006, Canada had taken legal challenges of the U.S. duties on imports
of Canadian softwood lumber. In addition to its challenges in the WTO
and the NAFTA, Canada had also taken action in the U.S. Court of International
Trade to secure the revocation of the CVD and AD duty orders and the refund,
with interest, of duty deposits paid to date.
For an overview of the more recent history of this issue, see our chronology.
Canada's forest management practices are among the best in the world.
Go here to find out why.
Additional inquiries may be made by writing to:
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Softwood Lumber Division (TNS)
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0G2
Courier address:
111 Sussex Drive
Sussex Pavilion, 4th Floor
Softwood Lumber Division (TNS)
Ottawa ON K1N 1J1
E-mail: tns@international.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 944-2167 (Hot line)
Facsimile: (613) 944-1452
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