1.   American softwood lumber producers complain that Canadian lumber is sold in the U.S. at artificially low prices.

2.   A coalition of groups including consumer organizations, builders and retailers such as Home Depot said Monday that putting tariffs on imported Canadian lumber is unfair and unwise.

3.   Canadian lumber, used mainly in housing, has about a third of the American market.

4.   Chretien announced the formation of the group after he failed to persuade President Bush to drop tariffs on Canadian soft wood lumber.

5.   Restricting Canadian lumber, they argue, will hurt young, low-income families by raising costs of starter homes.

6.   The Canadian lumber, he said, has different uses than does Southern yellow pine, so there is no question of replacement.

7.   The export agreement reached by the U.S. and Canada in May was designed to stem the flow of Canadian lumber across the border.

8.   The trade accord, reached in May, was designed to stem the flow of Canadian lumber across the border.

9.   The United States was seeking an export tax on Canadian lumber and changes in provincial timbering policies.

10.   US producers say Canadian lumber, which is primarily harvested from government-owned land, is sold at below-market value.