Return of Softwood Duties Provides Cash and Stability to Canadian CompaniesST-ÉMILE (Québec), November 16, 2006 — The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry, today told workers and executives at the Leduc Sawmill that the return of softwood lumber duties will help their industry get through this difficult period.
"These duty refunds bring a badly needed injection of cash to the softwood industry, which is facing significant challenges," said Minister Bernier while visiting the sawmill during a tour of forestry companies. "The implementation of the Softwood Lumber Agreement is vital for the success of Canada's forest industry and its 340 000 workers."
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade, said that thanks to the creation of a refund mechanism through Export Development Canada (EDC), the return of duties to companies is well ahead of schedule. "Canada's New Government committed to the speedy return of duties to our softwood producers," said Minister Emerson. "These returns started less than three weeks after the agreement came into effect."
"The quick return of softwood lumber duties are vital for these forestry companies in order for them to pay down debt, improve cash flow, invest in new machinery and equipment, and explore new markets for their products," Minister Bernier added.
Réjean Bégin, Vice-President of Papiers White Birch, a private company with holdings in Scierie Leduc, is looking forward to receiving some $2.5 million in duties collected from his company. "The return of this money will allow us to modernize some of our equipment," he said, "which will in turn contribute to the viability of the plant."
Under the terms of the Softwood Lumber Agreement, EDC will continue to make expedited refunds to participating companies over the coming weeks.
Further information is available at http://www.softwoodlumber.gc.ca and http://www.edc.ca.
For more information:
Marc-André Plouffe
Office of the Honourable Maxime Bernier
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
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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