Concerns over protection of forestry industry after softwood lumber agreement expires

Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski is concerned how the Liberal government will ensure the protection of B.C.’s forestry industry after a temporary softwood lumber agreement between the U.S. and Canada expired.

Canadian softwood lumber producers are worried a recent finding by the U.S. International Trade Commission could impact jobs in the forestry sector. The Trade Commission is alleging that Canadian softwood lumber being exported to the U.S. is subsidized and sold at a less than fair market value. A new softwood lumber agreement has yet to be negotiated.

Wayne Stetski is the MP for the riding of Kootenay-Columbia. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Stetski said he and the other New Democrat MPs from B.C. have concerns about what they say is the Liberal government’s lack of a back-up plan should the U.S. bring duties against Canadian products, and the New Democrats are calling for federal intervention.

“We are calling for loan guarantees for softwood producers that would help provide certainty to the tens of thousands of forestry works in British Columbia,” Stetski said.

“During the last softwood dispute we saw a lot of damage done by American duties all across our region,” Stetski said. “We don’t want to see this repeated. I have been speaking with family run mills in our area, and there is a lot of concern. This government says they are working for the middle class, so I am asking them to take steps to protect these community sustaining middle class jobs.”