FACT CHECK: Harper wrong on softwood lumber facts

Today, Stephen Harper erroneously claimed that $5 billion in softwood tariffs had been returned to Canada as a result of the Softwood Lumber deal.

Fact: The United States returned $4 billion. The remaining $1 billion was largely directed to Bush friendly “charities” that were stacked with lobbyists who brought the original challenge – and will use it for future challenges.

“The Bush Administration gave $500 million to the timber industry trade associations that originally sought the duties and $450 million to three non-profit organizations dominated by timber industry executives and timberland owners, including $200 million to the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities—a new organization created especially to receive and spend these funds, $150 million to the American Forest Foundation, an organization that promotes the interests of small forest landowners, and $50 million to a cross-border, pro-timber industry lobbying group called “The Bi-national Council”. The final $100 million went to Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for those who cannot afford housing.”
(Source: Washington Forest Law Centre)