Mr. Speaker, we are still making progress on the softwood lumber issue. We are still working very closely with the industry. Negotiations will be resumed, I hope. Right now, there is a good dialogue with the U.S. on this issue.
Lost his last election, in 2006, with 38% of the vote.
Softwood Lumber May 16th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we are still making progress on the softwood lumber issue. We are still working very closely with the industry. Negotiations will be resumed, I hope. Right now, there is a good dialogue with the U.S. on this issue.
Question No. 201 May 14th, 2003
Export Development Canada does not provide grants.
Question No. 188 May 14th, 2003
In the last five years the Government of Canada has not been involved in any negotiations with other countries, for example, China, France, Russia or others, for the purposes of trade with Iraq.
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
No, Mr. Speaker, it is exactly the other way around: this government's action, action for the last two and half years. I met on Monday again with Premier Campbell of British Columbia, who informed me of how much he continues to want this cooperation between the Government of Canada and that of his own province as much as that of the province of Quebec.
So we have been very active, precisely, and it takes more time because we have the objective of eliminating the problem in the future and having free trade in softwood lumber as well in North America. That is the long term objective we have.
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear that the re-engagement is part of the continuous dialogue we have been having with the Americans. Whereas the Americans are putting out their conditions, I can tell the member quite clearly that what I am hearing on the Canadian side, after much consultation with the Canadian industry, is that we have no intention whatsoever to give up the 100, 200 billion dollars, which we consider should not have been collected by the Americans so far, so we will stand by the interests of Canadian industry in all of these three elements.
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we have full confidence that the anticipated decision to be handed down on May 20 will be in Canada's favour. We have long known that forestry systems in Canada fully comply with Canada's international obligations.
However, there is a consensus throughout Canada that, backed by a favourable decision from the WTO, we could establish a constructive dialogue with the Americans so as to avoid in the future the kind of situation we have been experiencing for the past 25 years. That is our government's objective.
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the excitement of the member for Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques, and I totally share his enthusiasm and confidence in the WTO's decision coming on May 20.
Since the WTO decided in our favour in the preliminary determinations last year and since the final determination was based on the same calculations, I have complete confidence that the World Trade Organization will continue to respect the Canadian government's point of view, and that of the entire country, on the softwood lumber issue.
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, this government respects the sovereignty of the Government of Quebec in forestry management. Since the management of forests is a matter of provincial jurisdiction, when approaches are made by Washington and the American trade department relative to forestry management, we share them with the Government of Quebec, and the Government of Quebec, I am sure, consults with its industry. That is the way it works.
Certainly, the hon. members of the Bloc would not object to us respecting the Quebec government's responsibility in forestry management.
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, no government has worked in such close conjunction with the industry throughout the entire country as our government has done on the softwood lumber issue over the past two and a half years.
We have never kowtowed to Washington, never agreed to their terms for the industry. I can assure you that the industry in Quebec, in British Columbia, and in other parts of Canada, will continue to be consulted on this matter and that it is solidly behind us, as are the provincial governments. It is thanks to that solidarity that we are making progress with the U.S.
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we absolutely have not changed our strategy. The strategy adopted by the Government of Canada was supported by all the provinces. This past Monday I met again with B.C. Premier Campbell. I have met with the new Quebec government, among others with ministers Hamad and Audet, who are responsible for this issue, and all of them are on the same wavelength as we are.
We are going to win at the tribunals—the next decision is May 20—and at the same time we will engage in a dialogue with the Americans to ensure that we never have this kind of difficulty again in connection with softwood lumber.