News Release - Issued April 2, 2001

B.C. RESPONDS TO U.S. SOFTWOOD LUMBER PETITION

VICTORIA – The province stands united in its resolve to fight the allegations of subsidy and dumping levelled at the B.C. forest industry by the U.S. Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports, Forests Minister Gordon Wilson said today. Wilson was joined at the press conference by official opposition forests critic George Abbott.

“We will stand together and fight this latest trade action,” said Wilson. “The allegation that we subsidize our forest industry is simply absurd. We have refuted these claims before and are prepared to do it again. It’s unfortunate, however, that we are engaged in a trade dispute, rather than focusing our efforts on establishing a fair trading relationship with the U.S.”

The 17-volume petition filed today with the U.S. Department of Commerce is being reviewed by the province’s legal team. The province has engaged one of the top law firms in Washington, assembled an experienced team of officials in Victoria, and established effective working relationships with industry and the federal government.

After the petition is filed, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Government of Canada will consult before the department decides to conduct an investigation. The department will then release a questionnaire to provincial governments and industry. The International Trade Commission will make a preliminary determination on the question of whether the U.S. industry has been injured, receive briefs from the parties and conduct hearings. A final determination on subsidy is not expected until late this year or early 2002.

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