Making Atlantic Canada's Case on Softwood Lumber

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Making Atlantic Canada's Case on Softwood Lumber

Premier John Hamm is looking forward to meeting with American officials to discuss softwood lumber.

Tomorrow in Washington, D.C., the premiers of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, as well as the deputy premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, are joining with Atlantic lumber industry representatives to present the region's position on the Canada-U.S. trade dispute to special envoy Marc Racicot.

"This is our first opportunity to present Atlantic Canada's case directly to the Bush administration," said the premier. "I am pleased that Nova Scotia was able to secure this meeting as part of our mission. And I am delighted that my Atlantic colleagues have agreed to join me in support of the Maritime Lumber Bureau."

Atlantic premiers have worked together for over two years on the softwood lumber issue. Since the Council of Maritime Premiers meeting in Stellarton in October 1999, the premiers have worked with the Maritime Lumber Bureau to highlight the fair trading practices of the region's lumber producers. Premier Hamm noted that no complaints or investigations have been launched by the United States against producers in Atlantic Canada.

"Our position on softwood lumber is has been consistent and unambiguous: no countervail, no anti-dumping and no export tax," concluded the premier. "We are committed to working with the government of Canada and the U.S. Department of Commerce to ensure that any lasting solution maintains our free-market access to the United States."

Forestry is a $1.4 billion industry in Nova Scotia, employing over 20,000 people.