CP: Canada assures U.S. that $1-billion aid fund won't violate lumber pact

[tuvor]

OTTAWA - The Conservative government moved Wednesday to reassure jittery American officials that a proposed $1-billion fund to aid struggling Canadian communities won't violate the softwood lumber agreement.

International Trade Minister David Emerson responded within hours after U.S. Trade Representative Sean Spicer raised the issue.

Spicer issued a statement noting that the U.S. had sent a letter to Emerson "seeking Canada's assurance that any funds disbursed to the forestry sector from the Community Development Trust will be used in a manner consistent with Canada's obligations under the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement."

Emerson reiterated Canada's commitment to the softwood agreement and reassured the U.S. that it will respect the pact.

http://money.aol.ca/article/softwood-lumber-aid-1st-writethru/131421/