Action Plan on Softwood Lumber
Canada’s forest sector is a vital part of the Canadian economy, and is crucial to the well being of many communities that rely on it. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced preliminary countervailing duties on imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products on April 24th, 2017. This was followed by preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber on June 23, 2017. Final countervailing and anti-dumping duties were announced on November 2, 2017. The Government of Canada’s $867 million investment will support affected workers and introduce loan guarantee programs; reduce the risk of job losses and support affected communities; and stabilize operations, diversify markets and promote innovation in the sector.
Click below to learn more about the support available to Canadians:
Canada’s Softwood Lumber Industry
Canadian softwood lumber consists of spruce, pine and fir used primarily for framing in construction. It is a key component of Canada’s forest industry and supports predominantly rural and Indigenous communities while generating $22 billion in GDP. A majority of Canadian softwood lumber exports go to the United States. In 2015, American producers could only meet 70 percent of the United States’ softwood lumber needs with Canada covering virtually all of the shortfall.
What success will look like
- Canada will vigorously defend the interests of the Canadian softwood lumber industry, including through litigation at World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
- We have prevailed in the past and we will do so again.