Emerson out to salvage softwood deal

[CHIMO]

Ottawa — Federal Trade Minister David Emerson is calling a meeting of two dozen forestry CEOs in Toronto next Wednesday in an attempt to salvage the controversial Canada-U.S. softwood truce.

The hard sell comes with a warning from senior government officials that the Conservatives will not offer further help for the softwood sector if industry rejects the deal.

“Those who can't recognize that this deal is a far better alternative to uncertainty and economic instability and the endless litigation should prepare themselves for the consequences of rejecting it and they might want to start contemplating a world where Ottawa is no longer in the business of subsidizing softwood disputes,” a senior government official said, speaking anonymously.

“If anyone thinks that is going to come back and negotiate softwood lumber after the Prime Minister and the President have put so much capital on the table to deal with this issue in his time in office, I suggest you give your head a shake.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060802.wsoftwoodd0802/BNStory/Business/home

Looks like just another measured response. Loose, loose situation for the Conservatives. If not passed then they had to back down. If passed just another poodle twin.

[daleo]

1. I don't know if they should be threatening industry

"...a warning from senior government officials that the Conservatives will not offer further help for the softwood sector if industry rejects the deal."

Methinks they are beginning to have the look of a wounded duck, and a wounded duck best not quack too loud.

Emerson can always jump parties and try again after the next election.

[glarius]

2. Emerson is so dumb that he as much as admits

that it was a political deal between Harper and Bush when he says "If anyone thinks that U.S. President George W. Bush is going to come back and negotiate softwood lumber after the Prime Minister and the President have put so much capital on the table to deal with this issue in his time in office, I suggest you give your head a shake."