The Premier was talking tough on softwood lumber at yesterday afternoon’s Chamber of Commerce meeting in Quesnel.

Christy Clark specifically mentioned the lack of a new export deal with the US. BC is responsible for 50% of Canada’s softwood lumber exports to the States.

Clark says the matter is urgent and she assured the crowd that BC will not accept just any deal.

“We are not going to accept a deal that imposes quotas in Canada because it would be bad for BC jobs. We are going to make sure that whatever deal that we get is one that protects BC’s interests.”

She says she’s been urging the federal government at every opportunity to negotiate a deal quickly before the American election cycle starts in September.

“We hope we’re going to get there by the end of the summer but every day hope dims a little bit. I want you to know we are absolutely determined, despite that, to make sure we get the right deal for workers here in Quesnel, here in the Cariboo and all over British Columbia.”

She does admits that securing a quota-less deal will be a challenge as there is a lot about talk of protectionism south of the border.