In 2018, the United States Government implemented duties on Canadian softwood lumber. These duties have been supported again by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) and have been renewed.
“This decision compromises regional economic development in the Cascadia Economic Corridor,” said Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “We are deeply concerned with this continued burden on an industry so important to the BC and Canadian economies. The Surrey Board of Trade calls on the Federal Government to scale up their efforts in negotiating the end of these unjust duties.”
As inflation, housing affordability, and supply chain issues persist, many industries face significant economic pressures that could force them to close or relocate to other jurisdictions.
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 BC 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.
The “sunset” review is a requirement under U.S. law for the ITC and the U.S. Department of Commerce to review existing anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders every five years to determine if they are still needed.
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Anita Huberman, 604-634-0342, anita@businessinsurrey.com
