Opposition chips away at Tories on softwood deal

The Liberals chipped away at the Conservative government in Thursday's question period, claiming negotiations on the softwood lumber deal have stalled and are unlikely to result in a successful outcome.

"Negotiations have stalled and it's unclear under what conditions they'll resume," said Opposition Leader Bill Graham. "Ironically, members of the house, this delay is being greeted with relief by the producers because it will stop the government from trying to force a bad deal on the Canadian lumber industry."

"Will the prime minister commit today that any deal he signs on softwood lumber will comply with the North American Free Trade Agreement and not serve to undermine it as the present terms of this deal clearly will be doing."

Harper, for his part, advised Graham not to "get all his facts from newspaper speculation."

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