RESPONSE FILED IN SOFTWOOD LUMBER CASE
VICTORIA — Canada’s response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s questionnaire in the softwood lumber countervailing duty case has been filed by the Canadian embassy in Washington. The B.C. government’s portion of the response totalled 20 volumes.
The questionnaire is a standard procedure in a Department of Commerce countervailing duty investigation. It is designed to elicit information on B.C. programs including the stumpage system, log export control policy, the job protection commission, the government’s investment in Skeena Cellulose Inc. and some Forest Renewal BC programs. B.C.’s response provides the factual basis of its defence against the allegation that the programs form a subsidy to the B.C. softwood lumber industry.
The U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to make its preliminary determination sometime on or after July 27. If the department makes a preliminary determination of subsidy, bonds will be required on subsequent exports of softwood lumber.
The provincial government’s response was co-ordinated by the B.C. Ministry of Forests and its U.S. trade lawyers. They worked with staff throughout the Ministry of Forests and in other parts of government to compile the answers to the questionnaire. The lawyers will continue to work with government staff in preparing B.C.’s legal and factual arguments.
More information about B.C.’s role in the softwood lumber dispute and the timeline of the current dispute is available at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/HET/Softwood/ online.
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Reference # 2001:071 *
Released on Jun 29, 2001 *
Region Province Wide *
Category General
Contact
Vivian Thomas
Communications
Ministry of Forests
250 387-5728
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