Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Chip Cravaack (MN) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk regarding Canada’s $125 million giveaway to Pacific West Commercial.  Specifically, the Province of Nova Scotia provided these subsidies, including $40 million in forgivable loans to Pacific West Commercial, to reopen the Port Hawkesbury paper mill.  This government-subsidized paper mill is slated to produce roughly 25-30 percent of the entire supercalendered paper supply.  As such, this Canadian government-supported paper mill will be in direct competition with Grand Rapids’ UPM Blandin paper mill, which manufactures supercalendered paper in a manner consistent with our trade obligations. 

 “Make no mistake, these Canadian subsidies could threaten the livelihoods of Minnesota workers and countless other Americans involved in the forest products industry.  I support the Obama Administration’s investigation into possible WTO and NAFTA violations and will be closely monitoring this situation,” said Cravaack.

Representative Cravaack serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – where he is Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee – the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee.  The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties in central and northeastern Minnesota.

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