Thank you, Madam Chair.
I thank the witnesses for being here today. This is obviously an important study, because it gives us an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the challenge we currently face and to gather recommendations from the witnesses that we will be able to submit to the government, or even to various partners, regarding the approach to be adopted, or measures to be taken, to solve this problem.
My first question is for all the witnesses.
The trade dispute between Canada and the United States over lumber has become one of the longest lasting between the two countries. We know that over the past 25 years, the American lumber industry has often tried to get the American government to put restrictions on Canadian lumber by applying American laws on countervailing duties and anti-dumping duties.
What do you think could be most useful to the Canadian representatives in any future negotiations?
I am going to start with Mr. Lebel. I would point out that I have no more than five minutes, so I would ask the witnesses to give succinct answers.