To the editor:
Oct. 12, 2016 marked the end of the one-year “standstill period,” which followed the expiry of the 2006 Canada-United Softwood Lumber Agreement.
The stand-still period prevented the U.S. lumber industry from launching trade action while both the Canadian and U.S. governments undertook discussions to see if a new agreement can be reached.
The British Columbia Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) believes a new agreement, if properly designed, is in the best interests of producers, consumers, home builders and workers in the industry on both sides of the border.
We have been actively engaged for months working alongside the federal and provincial governments to support efforts to achieve a new softwood lumber agreement that can provide certainty and stability for lumber producers in both Canada and the U.S.
Completing a new agreement would also allow us to continue the important work being undertaken with the U.S. industry to jointly grow the market for wood products both domestically and internationally.
Both the Canadian and U.S. governments have indicated they will continue intensive discussions.
We recognize that these discussions are challenging and greatly appreciate the leadership of the Prime Minister, International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, Premier Christy Clark and Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson on this issue.
They have made achieving an agreement on softwood lumber a top priority and are making every effort to avoid another lengthy trade dispute that creates uncertainty, hurts consumers and producers, and impedes the growth of the North American market.
The BCLTC will continue to support work towards achieving a negotiated resolution to this dispute. However, we are also fully prepared and working alongside the Canadian government to defend the industry against any potential trade actions brought by the United States, as we have done successfully in the past.
Susan Yurkovich, president
BC Lumber Trade Council