Did Christy Clark kill a deal on softwood?

Christy Clark has repeatedly claimed that Obama just wasn’t willing to negotiate on softwood lumber.

But yesterday, former US Trade Representative Michael Froman revealed that Canada and the Obama administration were close to an agreement until someone on the Canadian side decided to gamble on a better deal with the Trump administration. Froman said:

I think we could have gotten [a deal], but a judgment was made late in the year that since President Trump was... from the building industry, he might be more receptive to the interests of builders and the Canadian government preferred to take their chances with him and we'll see how that plays out.” (April 26)

Does that sound familiar?

Christy Clark has repeatedly referred to Donald Trump as “a builder” and insisted that a deal is more likely under his presidency because he understands the building industry:

“He’s a builder and a businessman.” (Feb 1)

“The new President is a builder … I think that may mean we start seeing some positive momentum.” (Apr 8)

“So, unpredictable change can sometimes be good if it means we have an administration that, for the first time in a long time in the U.S., is interested in getting this agreement resolved.” (Feb 16)

“We have an administration that's a lot more interested in the economy, or so they say, than the Obama administration. So I think we've got the beginnings of perhaps a dance partner that actually wants to get out on the dance floor, which would be a good thing.” (April 25)

British Columbia accounts for more than half of all Canadian softwood exports and Christy Clark has touted the province’s influence in negotiations. There is no doubt that BC could kill a potential deal if it wanted to.

British Columbians deserve answers:

  • Did Christy Clark kill the deal and gamble BC jobs based on her faith in Donald Trump?
  • Or was she just asleep at the switch when the deal was killed?