On April 27, Prime
Minister Stephen Harper announced that an agreement in principle
with the United States to resolve the longstanding softwood
lumber dispute had been reached. The agreement delivers to
Canadians stable and predictable access to the U.S. market; the
repayment of four billion dollars in disputed duties; provincial
and regional flexibility in forest policies; and an end to
expensive and uncertain litigation.
The agreement has
gained the support of the Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty,
Quebec Premier Jean Charest and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell -
Canada's major exporting provinces, as well as Atlantic Canada
and the vast majority of softwood companies across Canada.
Says Moore "this
agreement will end expensive and uncertain litigation, and allow
Canada to build a stronger and more prosperous Canada through a
healthier trading relationship with the United States."
The agreement
will now go before Parliament this fall in what will be a
confidence vote.
"As BC's forest
industry and Premier Campbell agree: this deal is good for
British Columbia and good for Canada. As such, I will be
proud to cast my vote in Parliament in favour of this
agreement," says Moore.
In a statement
yesterday, Prime Minister Harper noted, "This agreement
demonstrates what can happen when governments roll up their
sleeves, focus on their objectives and set out to get things
done for families and taxpayers.
