Canada's forests are vital to employment in communities across the country. Collaboration among federal and provincial governments is essential to keep Canada’s forest sector, and the workers and communities that depend on it, strong and resilient, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honorable Jim Carr, noted this week as he met with key representatives of the province's forest sector to show support to those affected by the decision of the U.S. Department of Commerce to place countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber. 

Minister Carr and New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant visited the Crabbe Lumber mill in Bristol, New Brunswick, gaining insight into mill operations and how the duties will affect small mills in rural communities.

After the tour, Minister Carr held a roundtable discussion with local forest sector stakeholders and others, including Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Foreign Affairs; TJ Harvey, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac; and other members of Parliament. The discussion provided perspective on the impacts of the U.S. duties, and how the federal and provincial governments can work with New Brunswick's forest sector to reduce the effect of the duties on local communities and forest workers

 

 

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Minister Carr also met with Indigenous leaders to discuss economic development and youth employment opportunities in the natural resources industry.

During the discussions, Minister Carr reiterated the federal government's commitment to vigorously fight for Canada's softwood lumber industry and those whose livelihoods depend on it, including through litigation at the World Trade Organization and under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Some quick facts include:

• Canada's forest industry sustains hundreds of thousands of good, middle-class jobs in communities across our country, including more than 13,000 jobs in New Brunswick. 
• Approximately 77% of forest products from New Brunswick are exported to the U.S. 
• In 2016, New Brunswick exported $1.7 billion in forest products. 
• Softwood lumber accounted for $470 million of the provinces forest exports.

"Today's opportunity to meet with Premier Gallant, the New Brunswick forest sector, and Indigenous leaders, mill owners, and workers provided valuable insight into the unique challenges facing the province as a result of the U.S. countervailing duties on our softwood lumber. Our government will continue to vigorously fight for the interests of the Canadian softwood lumber industry, including through litigation, to ensure its continued growth and resilience for future generations," Minister Carr stated.