What's particularly frustrating is that back in November, this committee tabled its 12th report. It was entitled “Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Being Applied on Certain Canadian Softwood Lumber Products”. It contained seven recommendations, and the government agreed to all seven.
The first recommendation response even included this passage, which says, “The Government will continue to engage the United States to accelerate the pace of impartial dispute settlement processes with the ultimate objective of resolving the softwood lumber dispute.”
What struck me was the words “accelerate the pace”. I mean, it's been nine years now. What is the government waiting for? My colleague mentioned that it's not even in our international trade minister's mandate letter to resolve this dispute.
How do you accelerate the pace when you have a government in office that thinks this is simply a small issue?
Mr. Harder, I'll start with you.