Ottawa Must Protect Atlantic Canada in Lumber

PREMIER’S OFFICE-–Ottawa Must Protect Atlantic Canada in Lumber Dealings

Premier John Hamm expressed serious concern today about the ongoing softwood lumber dispute.

In a speech to the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce, Premier Hamm noted that the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement is due to expire at the end of the week without resolution. The four Atlantic provinces have pressed the federal government to continue providing Atlantic Canada producers an exemption from trade limits -– a key provision of both the current agreement and the Maritime Accord.

"While working closely with the Maritime Lumber Bureau, the Atlantic provinces have stood firmly against any erosion of our unrestricted trading relationship," said Premier Hamm, who joined with his Atlantic colleagues to convey this stand in a letter last month to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. "In its dealings with the United States, the Government of Canada must ensure that Atlantic Canada’s position continues to be upheld."

The premier added that the drop in U.S. softwood lumber prices has been "a significant challenge" for the local lumber industry. Forestry is a $1.4 billion industry in Nova Scotia, providing more than 21,000 jobs in the province.