Zero is a stable number

In trying to excuse their softwood-lumber capitulation to the U.S. (and ensuing bullying of Canadians to accept the deal), the Cons eventually settled on the need for "stability" in the lumber industry. Now, Jean Charest makes clear just what kind of situation has become the "stable" status quo in Quebec:

Quebec Premier Jean Charest said Saturday the provincial government is preparing a plan to deal with the mounting crisis in Quebec's forestry industry, but was unready to provide details.

He did indicate that government action will be focused on assisting the hundreds of industry workers that that saw their jobs disappear in a recent spate of plant closures across Quebec a crisis that Charest calls the worst the industry has faced in the history of the province.

It's still not quite clear just who was clamoring for certain defeat rather than facing the risk of victory in continued litigation. But it's clear now that having seen the "stable" future forced upon them by PMS, Canada's employers have decided that they're sure enough that they can't compete to justify eliminating large chunks of the industry. And the investors, employees and communities alike who are suffering from those decisions can't be blamed if they'd like to give the Cons a nice, stable position far away from the government benches at the first available opportunity.