International Trade committee  That's right. The companies that paid know the amount, and they're aware they are getting the money back. They contacted us to seek clarification, and we advised them. For those companies that had to pay—and they all know that they should be paid on October 12—this is a point of record, with respect to the refund, that will be open to us in the coming weeks.

International Trade committee  Yes, the EDC is confident that their timeframes for payments can be maintained. The refund will take place four to eight weeks after the completion of documentation. They are now in the process of finalization for a number of companies. The amount and the number is a question we're trying to get some precision on.

International Trade committee  The first tranche of companies that are close to completing the documentation should be done in the next few days.

International Trade committee  Yes. But can I clarify just one point? EDC is telling me that within the next couple of days there will be completion of documentation by some companies. This will allow the refund process to begin. So it may be that as of yesterday afternoon they have the final documentation from a number of the companies.

International Trade committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I will just to add to what has been said by my colleagues, who are much more knowledgeable. Of course, there is a definition of independent remanufacturers in the agreement itself, under annex 7C. There is a certification process under way for obtaining that status; it is voluntary, but it is under way.

International Trade committee  Thank you very much. With respect to the question about duties collected on October 12, when the agreement and hence the charges came into force, I don't have a specific amount, because it's a question of what was collected on the U.S. side of the border, not on the Canadian side, but I've been told anecdotally that it's a sporadic type of thing; it wasn't all border crossings.

International Trade committee  Perhaps I could just add, Mr. Chair, with respect to the consultation, it was initiated some time ago. It's extensive at the technical level and moving up, as there is an understanding of various provincial views with respect to that. As my colleague Dennis Seebach has mentioned, there have been no decisions taken, but consultations are ongoing, recognizing the importance of the role of the provinces in that.

International Trade committee  Perhaps, Chair, before we go to the remanufacturers, I can just first of all take note of the advice received that there should be explicit reference to consultation to the provinces. I think this committee is better placed than I am to understand. Mr. Seebach mentioned that we want these regulations in place by January 1, and I don't know when this legislation will be passed, but it may be at the same time that the regulations will have to be put in place, so there is extensive consultation with the provinces now.

International Trade committee  Yes, thank you very much.

International Trade committee  No, it doesn't, because the surge mechanism kicks in at 50% of the charge. So if there's no charge, then there's no additional—

International Trade committee  Does that answer your question, Mr. Harris?

International Trade committee  Perhaps I can give a general answer, and then to Dennis if there's a need for any further technical information. Of course the surge mechanism is applicable only to the regions that have opted for option A, as Dennis has just explained. The surge option allows for exports to be in excess of 10% of the allocation before it kicks in, and then you have a 50% additional charge on whatever is being paid at the time.

International Trade committee  Thank you very much. I'm not aware of our policies towards doctors, so I can't make a comparison of that. However, any company that is exporting softwood lumber products to the United States would fall under the terms of the agreement unless they are within a specific exclusion.

International Trade committee  Not at all. The Softwood Lumber Agreement has terms and conditions that are neutral for any residual litigation elements that are continuing beyond the effective date.

International Trade committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Harris. Mr. Temelkovski, I apologize if I misunderstood your question in my response. I would ask my colleague, Dennis Seebach, to speak a bit about what is referred to as “new entrants” coming into the market and what their conditions are under the Softwood Lumber Agreement.