CALVERT TALKS LUMBER DUTIES/AG SUBSIDIES WITH U-S GOVERNORS

Released on August 15, 2001

Premier Lorne Calvert is just back from the United States where he

explained why he's opposed to softwood lumber duties and agricultural

subsidies.



Calvert and other Western Premiers met with their U-S counterparts at the

annual Western Governors Association Meeting in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.



"I and the other Western Premiers feel a tariff on softwood lumber is a

protectionist measure by U-S special interest groups," Calvert said.

"We're asking the American public to ask themselves who benefits from this?



"In any scenario, the U-S will have to import softwood lumber, so all this

proposal is likely to accomplish is higher prices for Americans wanting to

buy a home."



Calvert also raised the important issue of agricultural subsidies with

western governors. The premier said they agree trade distorting subsidies

need to be sharply reduced or eliminated. The question remaining is how

can this be accomplished?



"Western governors do understand trade distorting subsidies have to be

reduced - or eliminated," Calvert said. "But they also understand the

problem begins in Europe."



The group asked Premier Calvert to work with the governor of North Dakota

to identify strategic options to resolve the issue.



Calvert also discussed economic development and energy issues. He has

invited the governor of Idaho to visit Saskatoon to discuss opportunities

for Idaho companies to use Saskatchewan's synchrotron. The waiting list to

use California's synchrotron is two to three years.



"We also agreed on the importance of working together in the west on

developing new energy sources and technologies. For instance, I suggested

we jointly employ the resources of the Petroleum Research Centre in

Regina," the premier concluded. "Americans are very interested in energy -

especially security of supply, and research and development related to new

technologies."



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For more information, contact:



James Millar

Executive Council

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-6349