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Softwood Lumber Deal: Who’s Against It?

MONTREAL, QC — The largest lumber producer and two major players in the industry are among those who do not support the softwood lumber deal.

Canfor Corporation, Canada’s largest lumber producer, will not support the proposed “out of court settlement” between Canada and the U.S. on softwood lumber.

Canfor further announced that it does not intend to suspend its NAFTA Chapter 11 challenge and claim for damages.

Domtar Inc. said it will recommend that the Government of Canada does not proceed with the deal. Domtar believes that the proposal provides no clear path to free trade and does not take into account WTO and NAFTA rulings.

Tembec said it intends to fight the proposed Canada-U.S. agreement on softwood lumber and calls the deal “totally unacceptable”.

Tembec President and CEO Frank Dottori said if the negotiated settlement leading to free trade as guaranteed within the NAFTA agreement is continued, Canada is expected to win and get full refund by late 2004 of the duties imposed