Canada-U.S. softwood deal unlikely before fall, Emerson suggests

OTTAWA (CP) - A final agreement on softwood lumber between Canada and the United States appears unlikely before fall, Trade Minister David Emerson suggested Monday.

He offered that blunt assessment when asked whether he expects a parliamentary vote before the House of Commons begins its summer break this week. "Candidly, it's a little doubtful right now," Emerson said after meeting his provincial counterparts.

"We're very close - I'm very optimistic that we're going to get a deal done. We will continue to work throughout the summer, if necessary."

A Commons vote to adopt a softwood export tax is a crucial step in putting a final stamp on the tentative deal between Canada and the U.S.

It appears increasingly likely that the softwood dispute will remain unresolved when Prime Minister Stephen Harper heads to Washington for a meeting with President George W. Bush in two weeks.

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/060619/b061992.html

like they told us they did? I'm shocked!


This was bound to happen. The Cons tried to appease the American softwood industry by letting them fuck us up the ass, and it's only natural that now they want even more from us.