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In response to the latest U.S. decision on softwood lumber duties, Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade, issued a joint statement urging the United States Department of Commerce (DoC) to immediately lift all duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports.
Ontario’s forest sector and its workers play a crucial role in the province’s development, contributing nearly $21 billion annually in revenue and supporting over 142,000 jobs.
Despite recent reductions in duty rates for Ontario companies, the government remains dissatisfied with the lingering unjustified duties, impacting Canadian producers and adding costs for consumers.
Written by: K. Milhomens