Mr. Chairman, there was certainly more than one question.
In terms of the commitment to on the part of the government to WTO, I said the government should not abandon WTO. There are times when the government has done exactly that.
The specific example I can point out was on the four year battle with Brazil in terms of the aircraft subsidy dispute between Bombardier and Embraer. We actually won. After four years we had the ability to apply tariffs. Rather than do that, we ended up getting back into the subsidy game.
When WTO ruled very recently in a judgment that was not very favourable, or at least the press reports it was not favourable because I do not have access to all that, the Minister of Industry was quoted as saying that he really did not care what WTO had to say, he would continue in the subsidy business. That is a very bad signal to send. It basically says that we will support WTO when it is comfortable and convenient for us to do so and not at other times.
The other question the member asked was what I am recommending on the softwood lumber dispute in terms of a role for WTO and whether I am saying we should have a short term or a long term solution.
We have had discussions and debates on this before. I said clearly last week that in order for us to make the right decision right now on whether we will litigate or whether we will be able to negotiate or come to some other accommodation, we have to know what the costs and benefits are of going those two ways. I do not see any movement on the part of the government heading in that direction where we are developing scenarios and costs and benefits in either way. There are private citizens who are doing that so I would like to see that kind of leadership.
I do not think we can make a decision in a vacuum. We need that kind of data.