QUESTION PERIOD — Natural Resources
Softwood Lumber
December 10, 2019
Senator Harder, you mentioned the softwood lumber agreement. I was actually going to ask you about that because it’s been four years since the last one expired. You mentioned it so I’m wondering if there has been progress? Are we closer to getting one? And is this an absolute priority for this government?
I want to recognize the honourable senator’s ongoing interest in this. Of course softwood lumber is a priority for this government. The sector that is represented in the forestry industry is important to Canada. As you know, there is a NAFTA Chapter 19 binational panel in place, and the Government of Canada looks forward to its work.
I would also point out that dealing with the bilateral relationships in North America is a high priority, and I know that while it’s not directly related, today’s announcement with respect to NAFTA or the CUSMA, or whatever you would wish to call it, is a further step forward to clear the issues that are important to Canadians in the bilateral and multilateral trade area. This is certainly one of them.