Making threats of trade retaliation during an election campaign is not the way to respond to the latest U.S. import duty on Canadian lumber, NDP leader John Horgan says.
Horgan was responding to B.C. Liberal leader Christy Clark91裸聊视频檚 vow that she is prepared to place a carbon levy on all thermal coal exports from B.C. in response to a 20 per cent preliminary duty on B.C. lumber.
Speaking at a shut-down sawmill in Merritt on Tuesday, Horgan said action against U.S. coal shipments brought up by train to B.C.91裸聊视频檚 coal port in Delta 91裸聊视频渋s in the range of options91裸聊视频� B.C. should consider. He repeated his accusation that Clark91裸聊视频檚 government didn91裸聊视频檛 act until the last softwood lumber agreement with the U.S. had expired more than a year ago.
91裸聊视频淲e also have the Columbia River treaty that91裸聊视频檚 currently under negotiation, there are agricultural exchanges that we have as well as energy,91裸聊视频� Horgan said. 91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a whole host of issue, but a week before election day, I believe, is not the time to rattle sabres. I believe what the premier is doing is irresponsible.91裸聊视频�
Horgan said if he is elected premier May 9, he will go to Washington D.C. within 30 days to make B.C.91裸聊视频檚 lumber case to U.S. officials.
Clark91裸聊视频檚 proposed $70-per-tonne levy on thermal coal would also be applied to shipments from Alberta and Saskatchewan, which go to Asia through Prince Rupert port. U.S. thermal coal, barred from export by Washington, Oregon and California, makes up the vast majority of B.C.91裸聊视频檚 thermal coal export volume.
Speaking in Fort McMurray Wednesday, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said she does not believe B.C. has the authority to prevent Alberta commodities from being shipped through federally regulated rail and port facilities.
Horgan repeated his call for logs from the B.C. coast to be shipped to the Interior to make up for the pine beetle damage that led Tolko to close its Merritt sawmill, displacing 200 employees.
Horgan appeared with Fraser-Nicola NDP candidate Harry Lali, who denounced the NDP91裸聊视频檚 opposition to industrial projects after he lost the seat in the 2013 election.
Horgan reiterated his opposition to the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion through the B.C. Interior to its port in Burnaby, which has put him at odds with Notley91裸聊视频檚 efforts to see the pipeline completed.
