Peace River—Westlock MP Arnold Viersen and Gaétan Malette, Conservative Associate Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Mining and Forestry), are calling on the federal government to prioritize Canadian workers and support for the forestry industry as it negotiates a trade agreement with the United States.
In July, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose 50 per cent tariffs on $28 billion worth of various Canadian goods. The tariffs are set to take effect just after midnight on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
As Canada and the U.S. negotiate these new tariffs, Canada is looking for relief on previously implemented tariffs on metals, autos and softwood lumber. These softwood lumber tariffs have reportedly reached more than 45 per cent.
In a statement released today, Aug. 18, Viersen and Malette say the tariff threatens forestry companies throughout the Peace River—Westlock riding, including Tolko, Millar Western Forest Products, Boucher Bros. Lumber, Evergreen Lumber, High Prairie Forest Products, Vanderwell Contractors, Blue Ridge Lumber and La Crete Sawmills.
“In many communities these companies are not simply employers: they are the economic lifeline of the entire town,” the statement reads. “When a mill closes, the consequences extend far beyond the individual workers who lose their jobs. Local businesses suffer, families leave, municipal revenues decline and communities risk becoming ghost towns.”
Last month, the Canfor Corporation announced the permanent closure of its Fox Creek sawmill due to challenging market conditions.
“In a town of less than 1,800 people, this closure will affect 74 good-paying jobs, leaving workers and their families struggling to pay their bills, support their children and maintain a stable life,” the statement says.
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Read more: Canfor Corporation to close Fox Creek sawmill
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Viersen and Malette add, “Alberta’s forestry sector directly employs approximately 17,500 Albertans and indirectly supports nearly 24,000 additional jobs. As Canada’s third-largest producer of softwood lumber, Alberta plays an essential role in the national forestry industry and in the economic prosperity of many rural and northern communities.”
As the forestry sector grapples with a declining U.S. demand for softwood lumber, “increasingly damaging” tariffs and resulting mill closures, Viersen and Malette say, “Thousands of families in Alberta and across Canada depend on the government getting this right. Their jobs, communities and futures are at stake.”
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette sat down Monday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to negotiate the tariffs, and that work is ongoing as the tariff deadline looms.
With files from the Canadian Press.
