Mistik Management Official Bemoans Lumber Dispute

Mistik Management Official Bemoans Lumber Dispute

Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 13:55

A forest planning manager in northern Saskatchewan agrees Canada should get tougher with the United States regarding softwood lumber.

For the past few years, shipments of Canadian softwood lumber south of the border have been hit with heavy duties.

Almost all of the trade panel rulings on the issue have gone Canada’s way, but the Amercians still refuse to eliminate the penalties and return the money that’s been collected.

Mistik Management spokesman Al Balisky says he can’t believe how the situation has been allowed to unfold, adding Canada’s tactics have to change.

There are reports federal officials are prepared to impose trade sanctions on the States until the Americans have a change in heart.

Balisky says Mistik has been forced to change certain activities over the past few years due to the lumber crisis, but the company has managed to cope.

He credits solid partnerships with Aboriginal communities as one of the reasons why.