Friday, April 28, 2006

Speech

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)


Prime Minister announces Canada and U.S. reach softwood deal

April 27, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

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Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members…

The importance of Canada’s resource industries

Since re-entering Parliament, I have spent considerable time addressing the critical issues facing Canada’s resource industries.

While most Canadians live in cities, much of our economic success as a nation depends on the health of our farms, our forests and our fisheries.

Our mines, our rivers and the oil patch.

Our resources are but a part of our heritage.

It is industries that create jobs.

Industries that sustain our communities.

Industries that make a vital contribution to our well-being as a country.

Amongst the many issues facing the resource sectors, one of my greatest concerns as Prime Minister has been the longstanding softwood lumber dispute.

As all parliamentarians know, resovling this conflict is of the utmost importance.

For our industry.

For communities that depend on softwood lumber.

For forestry workers and their families.

The deal

I am pleased, therefore, to announce to you that we have reached an agreement

  • an agreement that will at long last end this conflict.

    I am pleased to announce today that the United States has accepted Canada’s key conditions for the resolution of the softwood lumber dispute.

    Canada’s bargaining position was strong. Our conditions were clear. And this agreement delivers.

  • Canada asked for stable and predictable access to the U.S. market.

  • The U.S. has agreed to provide Canadian producers with unrestricted access under current market conditions.

  • Let’s be very clear: with the prices that the market currently commands, this means no quotas and no tariffs.

  • Canada asked for the return of duty deposits.

  • The U.S. has agreed to return at least four billon dollars U.S. of duties to Canadian producers.

  • Again, let’s be clear: our industry will receive a minimum of four billion US dollars.

  • Canada asked the United States to take into account different operating conditions.

  • The U.S. has agreed to show flexibility toward our provinces and our regions

  • Canada, tired of legal wrangling, asked for a long-term solution.

  • The U.S. has agreed to a seven-year deal with possibility of renewal.

  • Canada asked for an exemption for Atlantic producers.

  • The U.S. agreed.

  • Canada requested an exemption for Quebec border mills

  • The U.S. agreed.

  • Finally, Canada has long expressed concern about other nations gaining U.S. market share at Canada’s expense.

  • The U.S. has agreed to third country provisions to cover such a situation.

    This agreement benefits us all.

    Stable and predictable market access.

    $4 billion in returned duties.

    Provincial flexibility.

    A long-term deal.

    This is what Canada wanted.

    This is what Canada got.

    This, colleagues, is a good deal.

    A deal that resolves this long-standing dispute and allows us to move on.

    Move on to other challenges facing the Canadian forest industry.

    Move on to other issues affecting the Canada-US trade relationship.

    Move on to finding new outlets for North American lumber in world markets.

    How did we get here

    Today’s agreement is the product of intense engagement by our Government.

    For my part, I have used every opportunity to remind the President of this issue, and to urge quick action.

    Our ministers and our officials got right down to business.

    Together, they have doggedly pursued a deal that defends Canada’s national interests, and helps Canadian companies, communities and workers.

    In particular, I would like to thank my colleague, who is in Washington right now, the Honourable member for Vancouver-Kingsway, The Minister of International Trade …

    … and also the Honourable member for Beauce, the Minister of Industry, who is also in Washington.

    I also want to thank Michael Wilson, our Ambassador to the United States…

    … as well as Claude Carrière, our Deputy Head of Mission in Washington.

    And having consulted our provincial and industry partners, I am pleased to announce that British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario,

  • The provinces representing the vast majority of Canada’s softwood production, have given us their support.

    Premier Gordon Campbell.

    Premier Jean Charest.

    Premier Dalton McGuinty.

    I thank them for working with us.

    I thank them for forcefully defending and advancing their provinces’ interests and Canada’s national interest.

    Moving forward

    In conclusion, I would like to say that this agreement demonstrates that when we focus on the achievable;

    When we work hard in pursuit of our goals;

    And when we put the national interest first, we can get results.

    Make no mistake, this agreement does not solve all of the challenges facing the forestry industry.

    But it is an important step.

    And as I indicated, it will allow us to address a number of other key bilateral questions affecting Canadian jobs, Canadian families and Canadian communities.

    Today is a good day.

    I look forward to continuing our work with the industry, our provinces and our trading partners to build a stronger Canada.

    Thank you.
    The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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    • posted by a Confidential Source @ 4/28/2006   0 comments

    Notice

    From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)


    Prime Minister Stephen Harper - Public Events - Saturday, April 29, 2006

    April 28, 2006
    Moncton, NB

    Public events for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for tomorrow are as follows:

    11:00 am - Prime Minister takes part in a private roundtable on neighborhood safety.

    46 Salisbury Road
    Moncton, NB

  • Photo opportunity
    (first few minutes of roundtable)

    1:50 pm - Prime Minister holds media availability.

    Delta Beausejour
    750 Main Street
    Moncton, NB
    Room: Shediak A

    7:00 pm - Prime Minister attends dinner for PC Party of New Brunswick.

  • Prime Minister will speak approximately at 7:35 pm

    Delta Beausejour
    750 Main Street
    Moncton, NB
    Ballroom A, B, C
    The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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    • posted by a Confidential Source @ 4/28/2006   0 comments

    News Release

    From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)


    Prime Minister announces Gordon L. Barnhart as Lieutenant Governor

    April 28, 2006
    Ottawa, Ontario

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper was pleased to announce today the appointment of Gordon L. Barnhart, Ph.D. as Saskatchewan’s newest Lieutenant Governor. “Dr. Barnhart is an accomplished academic with a laudable record of public service. He has loyally served his province and his country in a number of roles over the years. There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Barnhart will continue to serve Saskatchewan and Canada with distinction in his new role,” said the Prime Minister.

    Prior to his appointment as Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Barnhart served as a Professional Affiliate with the Department of Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan, the same university from which he earned his B.A. and Ph.D. Until 2005, he also served in the position of University Secretary. In his capacity as an academic, Dr. Barnhart has authored a number of books and articles on topics such as democratic governance, Senate reform, and the history of Saskatchewan, including a biography of Saskatchewan’s first premier, Walter Scott.

    A longtime advocate of the need to strengthen democratic government at both home and abroad, Dr. Barnhart has worked with such government-supported agencies as the Canadian International Development Agency and United States Agency for International Development on a number of projects. In his capacity as a consultant, he trained elected members and public servants in South Africa, lead a seminar in Vietnam for 110 newly elected female parliamentarians, and designed and led workshops for Russian elected members and public servants.

    In addition to his academic career, Dr. Barnhart also worked for over twenty-five years as a public servant. From 1989 until 1994, he served as the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the Parliaments. Prior to this position, Dr. Barnhart served for two decades as the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.

    A native of Saskatchewan, Dr. Barnhart and his wife, Naomi, have three children and three grandchildren. Dr. Barnhart and his wife live in Saltcoats, the rural community in which he was born and raised.
    The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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    posted by a Confidential Source @ 4/28/2006   0 comments

    News Release

    From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)


    $10 million Agreement on International Business Development announced

    April 28, 2006
    Charlottetown, PEI

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper, joined by Premier Binns on behalf of the four Atlantic Premiers, today announced a new five-year, $10 million Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA) in Charlottetown.

    The IBDA helps build a stronger trading culture in Atlantic Canada through: trade training and awareness for companies, market information and intelligence, research and planning to develop strategic sectors, and international business development activities such as trade missions and trade shows.

    “This Agreement reflects the commitment of Canada’s new Government to help small and medium-sized businesses in Atlantic Canada compete in North America and around the world,” said Prime Minister Harper. “We want to assist Atlantic Canadians in bringing more of their goods and services to the world.”

    “Our Government is pleased to be one of the partners in this Agreement, which has become an important tool for meeting the many needs of our new and established exporters,” said Premier Binns. “With the new phase of the IBDA, our companies will continue to receive the information and support they need to compete in global markets.”

    “The Government of New Brunswick is proud to enter into this new phase of the IBDA, which will continue to meet the needs of our new and established exporters,” said New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord. “Our province is the most trade-active province in Canada, and the IBDA will provide crucial access to information, training and market exposure that our companies need to succeed internationally.”

    “This Agreement has become invaluable for helping companies that want to enter or expand in global markets,” said Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams. “Over the past several years, more Newfoundland and Labrador companies have been participating in IBDA-funded projects, and we expect to see this interest in pursuing export opportunities expand further in the next phase of the Agreement.”

    “Our government is committed to building on the strong trading culture in our province,” said Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald. “By being part of the IBDA, we are able to pool resources with our federal and provincial partners to help prepare our companies to compete with the very best in the world.”

    The IBDA provides a pan-Atlantic forum for the exchange of knowledge and coordination of international business development among the federal and provincial partners, namely the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada and three federal government departments (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, International Trade Canada and Industry Canada).

    * * * * *

    MEDIA BACKGROUNDER

    The Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA) is a federal/provincial partnership. It has a mandate to help established exporters in Atlantic Canada expand their activities into new and more diversified markets, and to help new exporters get started. The overarching objective is to build a more dynamic environment for trade and export in the Atlantic region.

    Since 1994, 32 per cent of companies that participated in an IBDA-sponsored trade activity for the first time have since begun exporting internationally; 42 per cent of companies reported an increase in the volume of their exports; and 29 per cent started exporting to new markets as a result of IBDA activity. A total of 179 projects have been approved and more than 1,500 companies have participated in them. (source: IBDA survey)

    Every $1 million in exports sustains 8-10 jobs in Atlantic Canada. Economic expansion in Atlantic Canada is tied to improved trade performance, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    The IBDA sets out to fund activities that help enterprising companies overcome obstacles and seize opportunities in new markets.

    The goals of the Agreement are:

  • to increase the number of exporters in Atlantic Canada;
  • to help diversify the markets of current exporters; and
  • to increase the overall value of export sales from the region.

    Although this Agreement is designed specifically to help SMEs, it does this through export-related projects developed by non-profit organizations, industry groups, universities and government. The Agreement is not designed to provide funding directly to individual companies.

    The original Agreement was signed in 1994 for a total value of $3 million. In 1997, the Agreement was extended for three years and $2 million in funding was added. This second extension was for $8 million over four years, ending in 2004. Today, the IBDA announced a new Agreement for $10 million with an end date of March 2010.

    The funding of the Agreement is cost-shared between the federal government (70%) and the provincial governments (30%).

    The Agreement focuses on export development in several sectors in Atlantic Canada, specifically:

  • Building Products and Construction
  • Business/Professional and Education Services
  • Consumer-Wholesale
  • Environmental Industries
  • Food (Agri-Food and Seafood)
  • Fish and Aquaculture Technology
  • Information Communications Technology (ICT)
  • Life Sciences
  • Ocean Industries
  • Plastics and Metals

    Targeted markets include:

  • Current active markets: The United States (US) - New England, other Northeastern States, the Southeast and other US; the United Kingdom; Ireland; and the Caribbean
  • Secondary markets: US Midwest, Western Europe, Nordic countries, Chile and Japan
  • Emerging markets: China, Mexico, Chile and India
    The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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    • posted by a Confidential Source @ 4/28/2006   0 comments

    Notice

    From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)


    Prime Minister Stephen Harper - Public Events

    April 28, 2006
    Charlottetown, PEI

    Public events for Prime Minister Stephen Harper today are as follows:

    4:00 pm - Prime Minister and Premier Binns will announce ACOA funding for Atlantic/Canada International Business Development.
    Delta Prince Edward Hotel
    18 Queen Street
    Elfin and Pekeha Rooms

    *Media availability to follow
    (Consbrook Room)


    7:30 pm - Prime Minister attends dinner for PC PEI Party

    8:10 pm - Prime Minister addresses attendees
    Delta Prince Edward Hotel
    Ballroom
    The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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    posted by a Confidential Source @ 4/28/2006   0 comments