I will try to address all of your questions.
To begin with, I'd like to comment on the assertion that the softwood lumber agreement defines a framework for the industry. At first glance, one could say that it establishes a framework of sorts. However, we have strong reservations because in the past, particularly with the quota system, the situation has always ended up being called into question, something which had a direct impact on operations on the ground. As I said earlier, the industry in Quebec and elsewhere is experiencing an unprecedented crisis. It is a combination of several factors: the softwood lumber dispute is a factor, energy is a factor, fibre supply is a factor, and the cost of fibre is another. The softwood lumber dispute is part of a whole. All these factors taken together make for a completely catastrophic recipe as far as employment is concerned. Will this allow our industry to make gains? I doubt it. Everyone has concerns.
We have many opportunities to exchange views with Quebec industrialists. Do they really have any choice when it comes to supporting this agreement? The signals we've been getting from them have more to do with the economic and industrial context, which is particularly fragile. We often hear it said that this is the worst possible settlement, but we are forced to accept it. That is probably the case at this time. The industry has a structural problem, and that has far-reaching consequences. Indeed, Mr. Wilson said this morning that the most important reason for ratifying this agreement is that it will protect 300,000 jobs. But there's still a lot of work to be done in order to protect those 300,000 jobs and reassure Quebec workers as a whole.
Last month, 14 sawmills whose workers are part of our organization stopped operating temporarily, but for an undetermined period. Job losses are continuing. As I noted earlier, we are talking about 7,700 direct and indirect jobs that have been lost in Quebec, and we expect to lose as many again. That is why, when people try to convince me that this agreement will provide guarantees and consolidate the industry's position, I can't help but have my doubts.
We are asking that as long as we have not come out of this crisis, the federal government establish mechanisms to support the people of Quebec and help them cope with the difficult situation we are currently facing.