Nova Scotia Government Concerned With Current Softwood Lumber Proposal

NATURAL RESOURCES--Nova Scotia Government Concerned With Current Softwood Lumber Proposal

The Nova Scotia government is deeply concerned with the current federal proposal on softwood lumber that appears to end the Atlantic region's special status and exemption from export restrictions.

Natural Resources Minister Tim Olive confirmed today, May 27, the provincial government's support of the lumber industry and its exclusion from previous countervailing duties, export taxes and quotas.

"We are concerned that Atlantic Canada has been excluded from the recent discussions that resulted in the current proposal that has been sent to Washington for consideration," said Mr. Olive. "This cross-Canada quota regime is not what the U.S. has asked for nor is it consistent with the assurances we have had regarding our treatment in a negotiated settlement."

Since 1986, Nova Scotia and the other Atlantic provinces have been excluded from every previous duty or tax imposed against softwood lumber shipments to the United States. There has never been any allegation of subsidies applicable to this region. Approximately 75 per cent of land in Nova Scotia and this region is privately owned, unlike other regions of Canada where most of the land is owned by the Crown.

Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm will meet with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Roger Grimes on Wednesday, May 28 in Halifax. They will discuss the continued co-operation of the Atlantic provinces to fight any measure that restricts and penalizes our lumber exports to the United States, whether they are crafted in Washington or Ottawa. They will also discuss a joint response from all four Atlantic premiers.

"We are concerned that Ottawa has abandoned its key objective of obtaining a lasting and durable resolution to this dispute," said Mr. Olive. "This is an unbalanced approach to gaining a short term settlement."