Government of Canada Announces Support for Canadian Softwood Lumber Associations
International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew announced a $15-million assistance package for Canadian softwood lumber industry associations. The funding will help Canadian industry associations to continue to operate effectively under the burden imposed by the softwood lumber dispute.
"The Government of Canada will continue to defend the interests of our industry, workers and communities in every possible way," said Minister Pettigrew. "We are fully confident in our challenges of U.S. trade actions. However, we remain open to a negotiated resolution on a fair and reasonable basis. These measures will help Canada's industry associations until this dispute is resolved."
Canadian lumber industry associations have played a key role in acting as liaisons between the Government of Canada and the softwood lumber industry throughout the course of the dispute with the United States. The associations have provided detailed legal and policy advice in the development of the Government of Canada's challenges before the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement and during negotiations with the United States Administration.
The assistance package to Canada's lumber industry associations follows $341.5 million in funding allocated in 2002 for three separate assistance measures for Canada's softwood lumber industry, communities and workers.
Source - Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
