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<title>GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER ASSOCIATIONS</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>December 23, 2002 <em>(4:30 p.m. EST)</em> No. 181</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR CANADIAN SOFTWOOD
LUMBER ASSOCIATIONS</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced a $15-million assistance package for Canadian
softwood lumber industry associations. The funding will help Canadian industry associations to continue to
operate effectively under the burden imposed by the softwood lumber dispute. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The Government of Canada will continue to defend the interests of our industry, workers and communities in
every possible way," said Minister Pettigrew. "We are fully confident in our challenges of U.S. trade actions.
However, we remain open to a negotiated resolution on a fair and reasonable basis. These measures will help
Canada's industry associations until this dispute is resolved."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canadian lumber industry associations have played a key role in acting as liaisons between the Government of
Canada and the softwood lumber industry throughout the course of the dispute with the United States. The
associations have provided detailed legal and policy advice in the development of the Government of Canada's
challenges before the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement and during
negotiations with the United States Administration.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The assistance package to Canada's lumber industry associations follows $341.5 million in funding allocated in
2002 for three separate assistance measures for Canada's softwood lumber industry, communities and
workers.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sébastien Théberge</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221022923/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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