I would first like to thank you for your presence here and for agreeing to answer our questions about softwood lumber.
Mr. Monahan, my first question relates to export charges. Option B is a little complex. Quebec tends to lean in that direction, but the ceiling is very strict. Option B sets a quota, which could be harmful to certain companies wishing to bid on certain contracts. This option could impact quite negatively on some of them. If this option remains strict and allows no leeway for other avenues, what consequences might this have for Quebec's lumber industry?
Mr. Ritchie, you say that we are ready to sign this agreement, but that it has some deficiencies. We did however win our cases with regard to softwood lumber before the NAFTA panel. This new agreement continues to say that according to certain allegations made by the Americans, Canadian industry benefits from subsidies. Should they not simply be excluded?
I have a question for all of the witnesses. According to certain rumours, the reimbursement of the four billion dollars that lumber companies have paid out in countervailing duties over the years would only begin starting next April. All kinds of delays and procedures are being invoked to justify this delay, which could harm the industry yet again.
The Bloc Québécois has proposed loan guarantees as temporary assistance for the industry. If this situation were to last a few months longer, how would the industry be able to go on? Certain companies might go bankrupt within a year if they do not get this reimbursement.