The federal government announced the creation of a federal–provincial task force on softwood lumber last week.
The federal government hopes that enhanced collaboration between federal and provincial governments will help Canada’s forest sector, as well as the workers and communities that depend on it.
The task force will share information and analysis to understand potential impacts and assess how to address the needs of affected workers and communities.
“Given the importance of forestry to B.C.’s economy and the fact that B.C. accounts for over 50 per cent of Canada’s softwood lumber exports to the U.S., I’m pleased to be able to participate in this task force,” said Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Thompson added that B.C. will be working closely with the federal government on ensuring Americans are aware of how B.C. softwood lumber products support the U.S. economy and how unwarranted duties impact their dream of home ownership.
The B.C. Lumber Trade Council also welcomed the announcement.
“Coordination of efforts between the federal and provincial governments is critical as we work to understand the potential impacts of the softwood lumber trade dispute with the U.S. on our workers and communities,” said Susan Yurkovich, president of the B.C. Lumber Trade Council.
Canada’s minister of natural resources Jim Carr will chair the domestic task force while Canada’s minister of foreign affairs Chrystia Freeland leads softwood engagement with the United States.
Meanwhile Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton says it’s too early to say how the Donald Trump administration will approach lumber trade, but he’s optimistic about the general approach to Canada so far. MacNaughton recently visited the B.C. legislature to brief premier Christy Clark.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MacNaughton said there won’t be clarity until a new commerce secretary is appointed to the Trump cabinet, but he has had good cooperation from U.S. officials including Trump’s chief of staff Reince Priebus, senior advisor Steve Bannon and others.
“They see it as being a small, regional issue, and I think the most important thing we did was to impress on them how important it is to Canada,” MacNaughton said. “It’s a national issue that affects hundreds of communities right across the country. I think they got the message.”
The 2006 softwood lumber agreement, which provided stability and predictability for industry on both sides of the border, expired on Oct. 12, 2015.
– With files from Tom Fletcher
