j8ear

Now that would give a whole new meaning to a "soft-wood" lumber issue. One I could really get involve in. They didn't call me the "lumber jack" in university before I dropped out because I was chopping down trees...

Seriously though I'm really interested in talking about the soft wood lumber issue. It seems Canada has enacted france like subsidies for this industry, particularly in BC, artificially reducing the costs involved in bringing the product to market....and thereby putting US soft wood lumber producers at a huge disadvantage. The US inturn imposed exhorbinant tarrifs on Canadian soft wood imports to level the playing field.

I know most Americans don't give a shit about the issue, but Canadians love to make a big stink about it. I wonder why that is? Both countries are protectionist for local industries, which imho is always a bad idea, but that is beside the point.

So what's the contention? Do Canadians think it is reasonable to subsidize an internal industry and unreasonable for a trading partner to do the same? Do as we say not as we do kind of mentality? And at the same time, propogandize and demonize the trading partner for election purposes.

I am personally against all subsidies. Dying industries need to die, not be propped up. Governments have never solved a thing with protectionism, except for maybe a few votes.

So can we all agree, to leave Ottawa and DC out of the soft wood lumber business and let the free markets handle things? May the best man, with the finest lumber at the best prices, and the most sustainable cutting policies prevail?

What say you?

CANADA STILL ROCKS

-bear

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