OTTAWA , Ont. — The World Trade Organization (WTO) has yet to hear Canadian silence as it takes the U.S. to the world trade body once again in the escalating dispute over softwood lumber.

Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew launched another salvo in the battle yesterday, announcing Canada has requested consultations at the WTO over a U.S. anti-dumping decision last October. It’s the first step in dispute resolution proceedings at the WTO.

Canada is disputing an Oct. 30 preliminary ruling by the U.S. Commerce Dept. that concluded Canadian softwood producers were “dumping” or selling their product below fair value in the U.S.

Canada argues the U.S. did not fairly calculate prices in order to conclude that softwood was dumped.

“I do hope we find a resolution, but if we do not, we will challenge the American allegations and the punitive measures,” says Pettigrew.

“There remains a lot of work to be done.”

Wednesday’s action comes as trade officials meet in Washington to try to resolve the dispute before a March 21 deadline set by the U.S. to re-impose separate 19.3 per cent countervailing duties.