April 4, 2001 For Immediate Release

Immediately after the softwood lumber agreement expired, US lumber producers filed an application in Washington for countervailing duties. Canadians countered that American allegations about industry subsidization are "insane." While the war of words continues, the issue will have a very real impact in northern BC:

· This region is responsible for 22% of Canada's entire softwood lumber production.
· It is the single largest forest products producing region in Canada.
· 90% of the forest products produced in northern BC are shipped to the United States.

The University of Northern British Columbia has a number of faculty who specialize in international relations, forest policy, and impacts on resource-dependent communities.

Don Munton, International Studies, 250-960-6644
Canada-US relations, softwood lumber agreement, Canadian lobbying in the United States

Paul Bowles, Economics, 250-960-6648
Northern BC economy, globalization

Stephen Dewhurst, Forestry, 250-960-5819
Forest policy and resource planning

Greg Halseth, Geography, 250-960-5826
The impacts of changing employment on resource-dependent communities

Tracey Summerville, Political Science, 250-960-6637
The effects of public policy on resource communities