A new definition of "standing up"

Meanwhile, it should come as no surprise to anybody that Harper's idea of standing up for Canada on softwood lumber appears to be to cave in on every conceivable issue. Not only does the currently-anticipated deal include a complete concession of any ability for Canadian provinces to make their own forestry policy, but it also includes protection money to the American producers who have kept the issue tangled up with their stream of baseless complaints:

Ottawa is demanding the duties be returned before there is any negotiated settlement, although sources on both sides of the border are now suggesting up to half the money could stay with the U.S. industry if it pledges not to launch any more complaints for at least five years.

Key, too, is whether B.C. and Quebec industries can agree on a system of quotas or an export tax during a temporary settlement while the provincial governments change their timber management systems to more resemble a U.S.-style auction system.

As James Travers points out, Harper's first summit seems to have produced nothing but a string of concessions in exchange for a modicum of approval from Bush - and it looks like the follow-up may be even worse for Canada.