BQ decides to back Tory softwood lumber deal

[tuvor]

The Conservatives' proposed settlement of the long-running softwood lumber dispute with the U.S. is likely to win parliamentary approval this fall after the Bloc Québécois said it will back the deal.

BQ Leader Gilles Duceppe endorsed the deal on Thursday.

With the BQ support, the bill will command a majority in the Commons, with 175 votes. Without the BQ backing, the minority Conservatives may have lost the vote, as the NDP and Liberals (131 seats together) have said they will vote against the bill implementing the deal.

The Conservatives said they viewed the bill as a confidence measure, so if they had been defeated, an election would have followed.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/09/07/bloc-softwood.html

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. So we cave in and let them keep 1BILLION dollars that are owed . . .

.
.
.

Any idea of how many homeless in Canada could be housed with that kind of money?

or the hungry fed?

Sick governments on BOTH sides of our borders now methinks - -

From the posted article:

Under the terms of the agreement, announced July 1:

* More than $4 billion of the import duties the U.S. charged Canadian companies since 2002 will be returned to the companies (leaving about $1 billion unreturned).
____________________________________________________

and don't forget the companies that went under in the interim while waiting to get paid . .

Their families and employees suffered

Did the PNACers care ? ?

nope, nope -

'nuther thought -

how much interest would be owed over the 4 year period on that 5 BILLION?

Actually, the US got a 5 Billion dollar loan,

interest free,

and only has to pay 4 Billion back - -

Anyone know where I can get a loan like that?

(sigh)

[daleo]

2. So, the Conservatives and Separatists are selling out to the Yanks

That's how it looks, and how a smart opposition will frame it. I am surprised the BQ is going along, if this is true. They must have cut some deal under the table with Harper.