To the Editor:
BC is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S. It provides about 145,000 direct and indirect jobs – B.C. Lumber Trade Council.
The U.S. Lumber Coalition is alleging Canadian lumber is being sold below market prices in the United States. It has been reported that in the latest round of the long-running softwood lumber dispute, the US coalition asked the government to protect American mills by imposing new duties on Canadian lumber.
This never-ending quarrel is based on an unfounded, fabricated claim that BC and Canadian governments subsidize Canadian companies. For decades the US has falsely challenged and for decades Canada has successfully rebuffed the challenges in international courts.
The foundation for success in protecting Canadians is that there are no subsidies.
“Will the federal government subsidize BC mills in the form of low cost loans or no cost loans so they can keep operating until they find new markets if they’re no longer competitive going into the states?” Stetski asked.
Doesn’t he realize his ill-founded request supplies ammunition to our US adversaries? Stetski’s advice that the government should subsidize Canadian operations will be used against Canadian interests, even if the NDP is ignorant of the facts,
I suggest the Kootenay Columbia MP might want to seek information about this issue before commenting again. There are 145,000 jobs at stake.
Jim Abbott
Wasa, BC
