Today, the US Department of Commerce final determination in their second administrative review says it will increase duties on BC and Canadian softwood lumber.
“The Surrey Board of Trade warns that this decision compromises regional economic recovery in the Cascadia Corridor,” said Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “This is especially unacceptable after a collaborative private sector Cascadia and Pacific Northwest Economic Regional Council Convention that happened in Vancouver last week.”
“Surrey is home to many wood manufacturing companies that are significant employers, such as The Teal-Jones Group, S&R Sawmills, Pacific Lumber, Catalyst Paper, the Sundher Group, Key West Forest Products and Riverside Forest Products to name a few. Workers and businesses are dependent on a healthy forest sector.”
Harvesting of timber in British Columbia generates over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, including thousands in Surrey. Well-managed and sustainable forestry will be around for as long as people use wood and paper products. It’s the ultimate renewable industry.
The Surrey Board of Trade will continue to work with our Cascadia partners to bring change for the better for our softwood lumber industry. The Surrey Board of Trade also calls on the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to work with their US counterparts to bring this issue to a successful win – win close for both Canada and the USA.
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Anita Huberman, 604-634-0342, anita@businessinsurrey.com
