Mr. Chairman, Committee Members, I represent Les Bois d'Oeuvre Beaudoin & Gauthier Inc. We manufacture products that we then export to the United States.
In 2001, we tried to have our rights recognized through the government of Quebec. We wanted to take advantage of the expedited review process offered by the Americans. Under this process, which usually takes six months to a year, we were in principle to have the opportunity of being exempted. That was also to be the case for the other manufacturers involved in the same field.
However, five years later, the Americans have not yet concluded this expedited review. A WTO report published in 2004 stated that the Americans had told the WTO representatives that they were going to conclude the expedited review in order for us to have the opportunity to defend our rights. In 2006, we are still waiting. Furthermore, Canada has not followed up on the WTO's recommendation. The question is why.
Under the present Agreement, Les Bois d'Oeuvre Beaudoin & Gauthier Inc. and the other manufacturers in the same position are not exempted. Our rights are not recognized. It is possible that an agreement be reached and that we choose Option B. In such a case, given the facts I have outlined, it is clear that we are entitled to our fair share of the allocation and that the unique situation of remanufacturers must be recognized.