B.C. Premier David Eby has urged the Canadian government to safeguard forestry workers amid new tariffs imposed by the U.S. president, which pose a significant threat to an already struggling industry. The U.S. recently imposed a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian lumber on top of an existing 35 per cent tariff. Additionally, a 25 per cent tariff was placed on certain Canadian wood products, including furniture, further exacerbating the situation.
This development has had a devastating impact on communities like Grand Forks, B.C., where local mill operations were already facing challenges. Interfor, a prominent lumber company, had announced production cutbacks across North America in early September, affecting operations in Grand Forks. However, the community was recently informed that the mill would be indefinitely closed.
The closure has had a profound effect on individuals like truck driver Doug Gailey, who expressed shock at the sudden turn of events. The uncertain future has left the community in a state of limbo, waiting anxiously for updates.
Interfor’s vice-president of corporate communications and government relations, Svetlana Kayumova, attributed the decision to reduce and halt operations to persistent market challenges and economic uncertainty, exacerbated by escalating U.S. trade actions and softwood lumber duties.
During a press conference, Premier David Eby called on the federal government to provide financial support to sustain forestry workers during this challenging period, which he described as an “additional attack” on the industry. Despite Prime Minister Mark Carney’s promise of $1.2 billion in support for the softwood lumber industry back in August, the funds have yet to materialize, leaving industry stakeholders anxious.
Eby emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the disparity in treatment between sectors in different provinces and urging swift action to protect the forest sector in Canada. He also highlighted the need for increased awareness in the U.S. about the higher lumber tariffs faced by Canada compared to Russia.
The impact of the tariffs is not limited to British Columbia, as New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt has also raised concerns about the implications for her province’s forest products industry. The potential closures or cutbacks in the industry could have severe consequences on employment, government revenues, and essential services in affected communities.
Eby expressed concerns about the future of forestry companies in the face of these challenges, warning of the devastating repercussions on workers, families, and communities reliant on the industry. The uncertainty has cast a shadow over places like Grand Forks, where residents are grappling with the upheaval in the local economy and the need for immediate government support to weather the storm.
