Canadian softwood producers got a $15-million Christmas present from Ottawa yesterday to help support them while the federal government fights the cross-border lumber war before international trade bodies. The cash will go to lumber industry associations that have acted as liaisons between Ottawa and the sector during this dispute with the United States. "The associations have provided detailed legal and policy advice in the development of the Government of Canada's challenges before the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement and during negotiations with the United States administration," the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew said the assistance will help the industry associations continue to provide support for Ottawa and the sector until the dispute is resolved. "The Government of Canada will continue to defend the interests of our industry, workers and communities in every possible way," Mr. Pettigrew said. "We are fully confident in our challenges of U.S. trade actions." He said Canada remains open to negotiating a long-term solution "on a fair and reasonable" basis with the United States. The cash is on top of $341.5-million already announced by Ottawa this year to help the forestry sector. It was handed out in three separate measures for Canada's softwood lumber industry, communities and workers. Mr. Pettigrew said this month he is waiting for Grant Aldonas, the U.S. Commerce Department's undersecretary for international trade, to release long-awaited proposals that Ottawa hopes could lead to a permanent solution to the softwood dispute. The Aldonas report is expected to lay out a path by which provinces could have U.S. softwood duties cut if these jurisdictions overhaul their forestry policies to make them more market-based. It's not expected to be released until early 2003. Seven months ago, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed duties averaging 27.2 per cent on Canadian lumber in support of allegations its domestic industry is unfairly subsidized.