Taking Nova Scotia’s Case to Washington

Premier John Hamm will visit Washington tonight and Thursday to press Nova Scotia’s case in the ongoing Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute.

"Our softwood lumber industry in Nova Scotia and throughout Atlantic Canada has played by the rules of free trade and we must continue benefiting from those rules," said Premier Hamm. "There is too much at stake for our economy not to pursue every available opportunity to advance our agenda."

The premier will meet with lawyers from the Maritime Lumber Bureau in Washington, who have worked closely in recent months with officials from the four Atlantic provinces. He will also be meeting with Michael Kergin, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, along with officials at the Canadian Embassy who are representing the country’s interests in talks with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Extending the provisions of the Maritime Accord on softwood lumber has been a priority of Atlantic premiers since the fall of 1999.

Over 23,000 Nova Scotians work in the forest industry.