Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07OTTAWA267
2007-02-09 20:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:  

CANADA ANNOUNCES FORESTRY SUPPORT; SAYS IT DOES

Tags:  CA EAGR ECON EIND ETRD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3744
PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #0267 0402023
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 092023Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4975
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS OTTAWA 000267 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/BTA/EWH (RECHT); WHA/CAN
PLS PASS TO USTR (MELLE AND SULLIVAN)
COMMERCE FOR JAMES TERPSTRA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CA EAGR ECON EIND ETRD
SUBJECT: CANADA ANNOUNCES FORESTRY SUPPORT; SAYS IT DOES
NOT VIOLATE SOFTWOOD AGREEMENT


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000267

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/BTA/EWH (RECHT); WHA/CAN
PLS PASS TO USTR (MELLE AND SULLIVAN)
COMMERCE FOR JAMES TERPSTRA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CA EAGR ECON EIND ETRD
SUBJECT: CANADA ANNOUNCES FORESTRY SUPPORT; SAYS IT DOES
NOT VIOLATE SOFTWOOD AGREEMENT


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED


1. (u) On February 8, Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn
announced a C$127.5 million aid package for Canada,s
struggling forestry sector. The GOC believes that a strong
forestry sector "is vital to a strong Canadian economy."
Under the aid package, C$122.5 million will go toward three
initiatives:

- Promoting innovation and investement in the forest sector;
- Expanding market opportunities; and
- Developing a national forest pest strategy.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) will
use the remaining C$5 million to form a Human Resource Forest
Sector Council that will look at job skills and adjustment
issues in the industry.


2. (u) The GOC says yesterday,s aid package is part of C$400
million allocated in the 2006 federal budget to support
Canada,s forest industry. Last month, the government
provided C$200 million to the Federal Mountain Pine Beetle
Program. Last October, the HRSDC announced that it would use
C$72.5 million in federal funds on the Targeted Initiative
for Older Workers.


3. (sbu) International Trade Deputy Director for Softwood
Lumber Karen Kennedy told Econcouns that yesterday,s aid
package should come as no surprise since it is part of the
2006 budget assistance for Canada,s forestry sector.
Kennedy said the aid "absolutely does not violate" the
Softwood Lumber Agreement, adding that no monies are being
given to Canadian forestry sector companies.

Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa

WILKINS