Canadian trade officials are rallying behind Canada’s softwood lumber industry after getting stung with a ruling that our softwood lumber exports to the United States are hurting the American economy. But before we get too worked up with the ruling, let’s consider the source, namely the United States International Trade Commission. Of course, an all-American commission is going to favour American industry lobbyists over the Canadians, it would be folly to expect anything else. One of the controversial sticking points of the stalled NAFTA negotiations is that Canada wants all trade disputes adjudicated  by an independent international panel. …This softwood lumber ruling is a pretty good indicator of how the system would work if the Americans get their way. …Canada has to draw a line in the sand and this softwood lumber ruling is as good a time as any to do so.