Mr. Speaker, today Highway 138 is being blocked by Abitibi-Bowater workers who are demanding help from the government. Thus far, the federal government has refused to help Quebec's forestry industry, but is quite willing to help the auto industry. Yet the loan guarantees that would give a major boost to the forestry industry are allowed under the softwood lumber agreement.
Can the Prime Ministertell us which section of the softwood lumber agreement prevents him from granting those loan guarantees? If not, we will be forced to conclude that the Prime Minister is looking for excuses not to help out the forestry industry.