Harper sold us out to the Americans

Al Simard

Prime Minister Stephen Harper claims he is committed to building a Canada that remains strong, united, independent and free, but his actions point to the contrary. The Harper government is holding the forest industry at gun point by threatening to wash their hands from helping them fend off any more American sanctions if they do not consent to the new proposed Softwood Lumber Agreement.   
It is beyond comprehension why the Canadian government would flush everything down the toilet including millions in legal fees when we continue to win at NAFTA tribunals.  
Furthermore Harper is generously giving one billion dollars to the U. S. as a reward for the misery they have caused Canadians by collecting more than five billion in illegal tariffs.
Not only will this cover legal expenses the Americans incurred during their losing battle in the softwood lumber dispute with Canada, but will provide them with a very healthy nest egg to use against us in future disputes that will surely continue to haunt Canadians if this deal goes through.
 The deals new recipe for export charges may encourage the export of round wood by excluding it from any charges. Canadians will no longer have grounds to stand on as they will be forced to waive their rights negotiated in the North American Free Trade Agreement. More than thirty existing legal actions by Canadian forest Companies will be terminated and will become ineligible to be re-filed.
To top it all off the new agreement can be terminated 23 months after the signing date, putting the Canadian forest industry in even worse shape than they are now. This is like sharpening the axe of the executioner before bowing your head to the inevitable.
 If Prime Minister Harper truly cared about Canadian sovereignty he would guarantee the funding necessary to keep our forest industry afloat up to the amount owed them in illegal antidumping duties and continue the fight by: – applying the same U.S. tactics on them in other trade deals until the full amount of money is refunded – aggressively search out other markets for our forest products – and finally, if the Americans don’t come to their senses, withdraw from NAFTA completely.
It’s high time the Canadian government stops cowering to U.S. demands!  
 
–Al Simard
STRONG President
 Kapuskasing ON
 SAVING THE REGION OF ONTARIO NORTH GROUP
www.thestrongroup.org