Conservatives Call for Defence of Softwood Lumber Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2021

Last week, the United States Department of Commerce announced it intends to double duties on imports of Canadian softwood lumber from 8.99 per cent to 18.32 per cent. Conservatives on the International Trade Committee have called for an emergency meeting to take action on this vital issue.

These duties come in spite of the Minister of International Trade’s recent meetings with the United States Trade Representative. While Minister Ng said she “reiterated that it was in the best interest of both countries to reach an agreement on softwood lumber,” her US counterpart is quoted as saying the Liberal government has “not expressed interest in engaging” on negotiations for a new agreement on lumber.

“Canadians have yet to see any meaningful action on this issue by the Liberals. In fact, we are now seeing a step backwards with the United States Department of Commerce’s announcement of increased duties on softwood lumber imports from Canada,” says MP Viersen.

Canada has not had a softwood lumber agreement with the United States since the fall of 2015, and the Liberal government failed to negotiate softwood lumber into the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

“We must act urgently to ensure that Canada’s softwood lumber industry, and the hundreds of thousands of workers and families who rely on its success, are not impacted by these newly set rates if they come into force this year,” said MP Viersen.

“Canada’s Conservatives are calling on the government to immediately act to ensure that Canada’s softwood lumber industry, and the hundreds of thousands of workers and families who rely on these jobs, are not impacted by these devastating tariffs.”

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