International Trade committee  There are at least two parts to your question, because there's the collection of the money and there's the return of the money. As to the collection of the money, there's more than one factor in play. The United States has now withdrawn its extraordinary challenge to the NAFTA

International Trade committee  It's frustrating when there's reference to the industry, because there has not been, in the last five years, a single organization representing the industry of Canada. The consultations with the industry have been inconsistent and were sometimes narrowed to select CEOs. The trade

International Trade committee  But that was the bargain. The bargain wasn't necessarily to also, therefore, pay an additional charge.

International Trade committee  And the special charge was not part of that package as you've referred to it. It's not part of the agreement and it was not part of what anyone in the industry endorsed, so--

International Trade committee  Excuse me. You asked about--

International Trade committee  You asked whether you had lawyers representing any of the major companies. I've been representing Tembec and Domtar for five years--they're considered major companies--and a host of other companies within the associations I represent, some of whom you'd also regard as major compa

International Trade committee  It wouldn't be both ways, until your question now. Over the course of the litigation, I was asked that question by many companies, and I first had to stipulate, of course, that I'm not a Canadian tax lawyer. But I offer that information to advise you that I'm aware that some comp

International Trade committee  I understand you to be--

International Trade committee  I'd be pleased if I could have a moment to answer this question, Mr. Chair. I'm not quite sure what Mr. Harris means by “signed on”. West Fraser did not participate in the purchase and sale option and didn't participate in the EDC program. No company in Canada could formally sig

International Trade committee  There may be two or three ways in which I'd like to approach your question. First, the agreement does not dictate to Parliament what Parliament has to do. That is, Parliament has a choice over this legislation. If there were no Bill C-24, the agreement would fall apart. But it

International Trade committee  Yes, my expenses.

International Trade committee  I've represented them continuously, yes. But I've not appeared before this committee on their behalf.

International Trade committee  No, I appreciate the question, and I did anticipate it, as I'm sure you will also appreciate. For the purpose of clarity, although I've appeared before this committee as an expert before, I've represented a lot of companies in this dispute over a long period of time. I offer th

International Trade committee  Today I am, yes.

International Trade committee  I certainly don't want to be part of a revisionist history. The industry was not at the table, did not participate in the negotiations, and is not signatory to the agreement. We were consulted fitfully. We received drafts on very short time horizons. We were not consulted about