International Trade committee  We've worked very closely with the provincial government in Quebec and Quebec industry. In November, when we did our initial consultations, we heard very clearly that there was support for a negotiated settlement, a negotiation of an agreement. We heard very clearly from the Queb

International Trade committee  There's structure, an exit provision, and of course appropriate exclusions, including for the Atlantic provinces and for companies that source from the United States or from private lands. Then, of course, there's the treatment of high-value products, remanufacturing, and that wh

International Trade committee  First of all, one of the companies in this meeting with USTR, Tolko, is a major producer in B.C. and has no production in the United States. Second, the meeting was at the request of the U.S.; it wasn't a meeting that we set up.

International Trade committee  I don't know what advice they may be offering in the U.S. What I do know is that the U.S. government requested this meeting with these companies.

International Trade committee  I was there as an observer, yes.

International Trade committee  As an observer.

International Trade committee  First of all, there are some big regional differences. For example, it would be fair to say that in the Atlantic provinces, producers large and small believe that their system justifies an exclusion.

International Trade committee  Whether or not the Atlantic provinces would face duties in the future would depend on the nature of the investigation. Right now there are no duties being charged on lumber products.

International Trade committee  As I was explaining, there are different regional perspectives, but it is possible to have those reflected in the agreement, and that's an approach we're taking. In terms of consensus, I think there are some exceptions, but there is very broad support for a negotiated outcome. Th

International Trade committee  What happened the last time, and what we've been advised by the U.S. government would happen this time, is that the agreement would proceed as a sole executive agreement. That is, it's an agreement that would be entered into by the U.S. side under the president's authority. There

International Trade committee  There are two important elements to the answer. First of all, we're consulting with a broad range of companies. So, yes, of course, we do meet with companies like Interfor, Canfor, and West Fraser, which have—

International Trade committee  In Canada there are, of course, small businesses engaged in this sector that could be negatively affected by a dispute, and they do a wide variety of things, but most of the smaller businesses tend to be in the value-added sector. The mass production of structural timber tends to

International Trade committee  We're still, of course, in the middle of a negotiation. One of the difficult things when you have a negotiation like this is that there are many interrelated pieces. It's often the case that we're apart in some areas and together in others, but they all interrelate. Even though s

International Trade committee  Sure.

International Trade committee  There are ongoing consultations in two ways. First of all, there are very specific targeted consultations as issues arise. I can give you some examples of these. We also have ongoing consultations with a broad swath of industry through the Business Advisory Council and with the