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General discussion

Softwood deal..,end of Harper government?

by JP Bill May 4, 2006 11:33PM PDT

Softwood deal means tax windfall for Harper

OTTAWA (CP) - Stephen Harper's Conservative government stands to reap a windfall approaching $1 billion in taxes on duties being refunded to Canadian lumber producers under a controversial deal struck to end the softwood trade war with the United States.

Because of those tax measures, the final trade deal will eventually face a confidence vote in the House of Commons.

That means if opposition parties, who have criticized the framework deal, vote against the measure it could bring down Harper's minority government and trigger a federal election.

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