International Trade Minister David Emerson issued a press release Friday titled:
MINISTER EMERSON MARKS IMPLEMENTATION OF SOFTWOOD LUMBER AGREEMENT
The New Democratic Party, in a press release issued a few hours after this, had a, erm, slightly different view:
First, here’s Emerson and the PR spinners at DFAIT.
“Today, Canada’s softwood lumber industry breaks free from the endless cycle of conflict, uncertainty and costly litigation, [said Minister Emerson].
“Very shortly, sawmills and producers in many of the more than 300 forestry-dependent communities across the country will see the return of more than C$5 billion dollars, breathing new life into the sector at this crucial time.
“This long-term agreement with the United States brings stability and certainty to our softwood lumber industry and to the many Canadian families and communities who depend on it.”
To which NDP MP Peter Julian says bollocks. Julian, a Vancouver-area MP and his party's critic on softwood lumber issues, blames the Tories for layoffs but also hung some of the responsibility on the Bloc Quebecois:
“Stephen Harper has provoked a melt-down in the softwood lumber industry by forcing through this sell-out. We have lost over 2,500 jobs in the first six days since the announcement of its entry into force”, said Julian. “David Emerson was warned that job loss would happen if they bullied this bad deal into place.”
Julian is calling for Bloc Quebecois MP’s to vote with the NDP to stop the sellout deal and to put into place immediately loan guarantees for companies and support for softwood communities.
“The Bloc is the sticking point. They have chosen short term political expediency over the interests of Québec. As the meltdown accelerates, provinces can no longer take action to protect their industry. Quebec is announcing changes in stumpage fees today that are illegal under the Harper-Bush softwood agreement.” said Julian. “How the US will react is anybody’s guess – but one thing is certain – this instability is going to mean more jobs lost in mills all across this country.”