The United States argued that this situation clearly suggested that the purpose and effect of Canada's export restrictions was not to conserve resources or ensure product quality. Rather, the purpose was to protect Canadian processors and help maintain employment in British Columbia. This purpose was amply attested in official Canadian publications. According to the United States, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans had reported in 1980 that the export restrictions were in place for the purpose of "promoting jobs for Canadians (by increasing the amount of processing done in Canada)." The United States believed that trade restrictions imposed for this purpose were not in
conformity with the General Agreement. As indicated in the 1950 Working Party Report of Quantitative
Restrictions: