Pat O'Brien

[Softwood Lumber, February 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there was so much the member did not say but I think where she was trying to go was to ask if we are trying to educate the American public.

The hon. member is nodding in the affirmative. She ought to know that our embassy has been very active for several years in lobbying members of congress.

There is a most impressive advocacy campaign in softwood lumber going on south of the border to educate American consumers that they are being ripped off to subsidize the uncompetitive American softwood lumber industry.

[Softwood Lumber, February 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure where my colleague has been but the Minister for International Trade is in daily contact with the provinces and the industry. There have been extensive briefings right across the country. Even when he is away doing his job with team Canada he is in daily contact on this important file.

I do not know where my colleague comes up with the idea that there has not been extensive consultation. I would have thought he would have been aware of that given the number of briefings we have offered to the opposition critics.

[Trade, February 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member and his Atlantic colleagues for their hard work in highlighting this serious concern. The Government of Canada continues to be involved in very extensive consultations with the industry and with relevant stakeholders.

At this point in time there is no date for a resumption of talks, but obviously the government is very concerned about the serious issues faced by the industry. These extensive consultations will continue as we welcome the representations from the member and his colleagues.

[Softwood Lumber, February 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the issue the member raises, more commonly known as bonding, is an option that is under consideration. A limited number of companies today have approached Export Development Canada for assistance. Some applications have been received and are under consideration. EDC is looking at these applications on a case by case basis. It is very sensitive to the harm that our industry and workers face. We hope there will be some approval of applications shortly.

[Softwood Lumber, February 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad the hon. member is finally tuning into this issue.

The minister has said repeatedly in the House and in the media, and it was made crystal clear yesterday that unless we have guaranteed market access we will not reach a deal.

That is a sine qua non for the government. It has been said repeatedly. I do not know why the member has not got the message yet.

[Softwood Lumber, February 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the highest level of talks among officials took place here in Ottawa at the deputy level. The deputy minister has indicated that there was progress made. He now wants to reflect on and continue the team Canada approach, consult widely, as he has been doing, with the minister, with the provinces and with industry. More than likely we will re-engage with the Americans next week.

Progress has been made but there is no doubt that we are not at a solution yet.

[Softwood Lumber, February 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there were about three questions there.

Let me deal with the idea of a suspension agreement. That is an option that can be considered. There is wide consultation taking place right now with the provinces and with the stakeholders to weigh the possibility of such a suspension agreement.

The government remains very strongly committed to our two track policy: the discussions with the United States which are going on in Ottawa today and pursuing every legal option at the WTO.

[Softwood Lumber, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as for the main part of the question I will have to take it under advisement and report back to the member, but she did mention workers. As we know, the Government of Canada takes the plight of laid off workers very seriously.

There is a plethora of programs available. The government is in wide consultation with the industry representatives in B.C. to assist workers who are laid off and facing in a very serious situation resulting from punitive U.S. trade action.

[Softwood Lumber, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, vis-à-vis softwood lumber the United States can take any approach it wants but it will not change the process of the government or the policy of the government to proceed on two tracks.

Discussions with the United States apparently finally are going to be more serious starting tomorrow.

Also, we will continue to pursue our legal options at the WTO. If necessary we will go right to the end of that process and win once again.

[Softwood Lumber, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is quite incorrect when he says that the U.S. is not responding. The U.S. has indicated that it is prepared to re-engage.

As I mentioned earlier, there will be talks beginning tomorrow here in Ottawa. The United States is committed to putting specific proposals on the table and now that it appears it is getting serious maybe we will see some progress on this file.