Canada/ U.S. reach softwood lumber deal
April 27, 2006, Ottawa, Ontario
NO QUOTAS AND TARIFFS AT CURRENT PRICES, $4 BILLION IN DUTIES TO BE RE-PAID TO CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND REGIONAL FLEXIBILITY, 7-YEAR ARRANGEMENT
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that Canada and the United States have reached a long-term agreement that resolves the longstanding softwood lumber dispute between the two countries.The United States has agreed to Canada’s key conditions including:
Stable and predictable access to the U.S. market: there will be no quotas and no tariffs at current prices;
Repayment of duties: at least four billion dollars will be paid out to Canadian producers;
Provincial flexibility: there will be different compliance options in response to varying operating conditions across Canada;
and Certainty: the deal runs for a minimum of seven years with options for renewal at a later date.“Canada’s bargaining position was strong; our conditions were clear; and this agreement delivers,” said the Prime Minister. “It’s a good deal that resolves this long-standing dispute and allows us to move on.”The Prime Minister said today’s agreement was the product of intense engagement on the part of the Canada and noted the agreement is supported by British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, Canada’s three main softwood-producing provinces.“We have a deal that defends Canada’s national interests and helps Canadian communities and workers,” said the Prime Minister. “I commend Premiers Campbell, Charest and McGuinty for their support.”
NO QUOTAS AND TARIFFS AT CURRENT PRICES, $4 BILLION IN DUTIES TO BE RE-PAID TO CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND REGIONAL FLEXIBILITY, 7-YEAR ARRANGEMENT
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that Canada and the United States have reached a long-term agreement that resolves the longstanding softwood lumber dispute between the two countries.The United States has agreed to Canada’s key conditions including:
Stable and predictable access to the U.S. market: there will be no quotas and no tariffs at current prices;
Repayment of duties: at least four billion dollars will be paid out to Canadian producers;
Provincial flexibility: there will be different compliance options in response to varying operating conditions across Canada;
and Certainty: the deal runs for a minimum of seven years with options for renewal at a later date.“Canada’s bargaining position was strong; our conditions were clear; and this agreement delivers,” said the Prime Minister. “It’s a good deal that resolves this long-standing dispute and allows us to move on.”The Prime Minister said today’s agreement was the product of intense engagement on the part of the Canada and noted the agreement is supported by British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, Canada’s three main softwood-producing provinces.“We have a deal that defends Canada’s national interests and helps Canadian communities and workers,” said the Prime Minister. “I commend Premiers Campbell, Charest and McGuinty for their support.”
posted by yugunter at 10:58 PM
3 Comments:
Harper, the softwood "deal", and implications for Canada.
"Sellout" Stephen has "resolved" the softwood dispute, so the news says. He has done this by going on bended knee to a President who has gained a reputation – not shared by any other President to date – for spurning legalities, ignoring the rule of law, and unilaterally breaking legally binding treaties entered into between nations.
In so doing, Sellout Stephen has agreed to allow the USA to breach its obligations owed to Canada under a legally binding treaty (NAFTA), despite clear court and tribunal decisions supporting Canada's position.
What are the implications of this incredibly shortsighted and stupid decision by this so-called "policy wonk" Prime Minister? Here are a few:
• Harper has telegraphed to the USA and to others that Canada will not insist on legally binding international treaties being upheld.
• Harper and his New Tories have shown that Canada is run by a weak government, which can be easily browbeaten, and which will settle for less than the country is entitled to.
• Harper has shown contempt for the rule of law equal to the contempt shown by Bush during his failed presidency. This is a new and dangerous path for a Prime Minister of Canada to tread, and reveals a startling moral lack on the part of the New Tories.
• Harper will sell out any principles for short term political gain, especially if by doing so he can curry favour with the USA.
The question can now be asked: Who speaks for Canada?
Apparently not this Prime Minister.
It is time for him to go.
I agree, this clearly shows that Harper would rather be buddies with Bush than do what is clearly needed for Canada. The Conservatives need to be ousted and the Liberals need to go back in.
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