A good article - thorough analysis and well presented.  Does our PM and his key Cabinet ministers have the commitment and the ability to obtain a new softwood agreement with the new Republican administration in Washington (despite his close bond with Obama, Justin didn't get close to an agreement)?  It is a good test for them.  So far, they have few accomplishments, and those few were not difficult since they simply involved increasing spending significantly while ignoring the impact on deficits and debts.  If they can reach a favourable agreement on softwood lumber, it would be a major win for Canada's private sector economy, which has had little to celebrate under the Liberal government, and much to complain about (e.g. higher payroll taxes for the CPP, new carbon taxes).