Mr. Speaker, the government says do not be a nervous nellie about the 32% U.S. softwood lumber tariff, but we have to wonder who it is talking about. Is it talking about the tens of thousands of B.C. people whose jobs are in danger? Is it talking about the hundreds of businesses that are about to shut down? Is it talking about the provincial and municipal governments which will lose revenue for health, education and other services?
These people are beyond nervous. They feel that the government has abandoned a $10 billion industry and has done nothing in five years to help settle this softwood lumber issue.
Will the government get out of its ivory tower and at least start by appointing a special envoy to the United States to help settle this softwood lumber--