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Unifor, representing 320,000 workers including 24,000 workers in the forestry sector, is disappointed and frustrated with the United States’ continued attack on Canada’s softwood lumber industry. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced an increase in countervailing and anti-dumping duties on Canadian lumber exports as parts of its fifth administrative review. These new duties exceed the preliminary rate announced in February 2024. The U.S. falsely states that Canada’s softwood lumber harvested on public land constitutes unfair trade and uses this to justify its unwarranted penalties on exports. This is an outrageous and reckless claim that, along with other industry pressures, puts Canadian jobs – and the industry – in peril. Unifor reissues its call for Canadian and U.S. officials to negotiate a fair, durable and final resolution to this long-standing dispute, including the immediate lifting of unfair U.S. duties. Unifor also recommends the federal government re-institute its Softwood Lumber Action Plan, including supports to invest in Canada’s forestry sector, maintain and create Canadian jobs and enhance supports for workers facing layoff.
