Peace River—Westlock MP Arnold Viersen is urging the prime minister to secure a lumber deal with the U.S. after new tariffs were announced this week.
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Viersen was in High Level to visit the Tolko lumber mill. The visit fell on the same day the United States announced an additional 10 per cent tariff on Canadian lumber and 25 per cent on Canadian wood products.
“In our riding, we have some of Canada’s hardest working loggers, millworkers and truckers,” said Viersen. “This latest increase in tariffs has been a terrible blow to these workers. They work hard to provide for their families and communities, and they need a government that will fight for them.”
Tariffs on softwood lumber are now over 45 per cent and he expects them to affect companies across the constituency, such as Tolko, Millar Western Forest Products, Boucher Bros. Lumber, Evergreen Lumber, High Prairie Forest Products, Vanderwell Contractors, Blue Ridge Lumber, and La Crete Sawmills.
Viersen stated, “I am calling on Prime Minister Carney to do what he promised: get a deal on lumber and work with us to unlock Canada’s economic potential and sovereignty in the face of American threats. Thousands of families in Alberta depend on it.”
