Aug 22, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. announced that it has advised on August 21 the government of Canada that it would take steps to permit the implementation of the softwood lumber agreement negotiated between Canada and the United States. In its notice, West Fraser confirmed that it has “had serious reservations about both the substance of the (softwood lumber agreement) and the process by which it has been developed” but confirmed that if certain conditions are met it will participate in the agreement’s implementation, including terminating certain outstanding litigation. Hank Ketcham, chairman, president and CEO of West Fraser stated: “Over the past several years we, along with other industry and government representatives, have worked very hard to achieve a resolution to this dispute that will be long lasting. The government of Canada has advised us that this agreement is the best that can be achieved at this time and, although it falls short of what we had hoped for, we believe that on balance our interests, and those of our shareholders, employees and other stakeholders, are best served by participating in its implementation.” West Fraser’s commitment is subject to conditions including satisfaction with the forms of final documentation and similar commitments being made by companies representing not less than 95% of all duty deposits. Mr. Ketcham also recognized the efforts of the province of British Columbia. “Without the steadfast support and leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell, we would have faced a much more difficult future.” West Fraser is an integrated forest products company that produces lumber, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp, linerboard, kraft paper and newsprint. The company has manufacturing operations in British Columbia, Alberta and the southern United States. West Fraser has approximately 6 900 employees and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.