The BC government hopes to support forestry workers through a new council.
The government says the council is made up of forestry leaders, labour leaders, government officials, and US relations experts. The goal of the council is to advance the province’s interests in the ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the United States.
This comes as the United States has imposed duties on Canadian softwood lumber for 8 years, with 2023 seeing more than $3.3 billion worth of lumber exported by BC.
Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar, chair of the council, says they expect the softwood lumber duties to double before the year ends.
“Bringing this team together, I am ready to throw the full weight of B.C. in the ring to fight these duties,” said Parmar.
The council would focus on not only diplomatic and trade strategy, but also on measures to fight for BC’s interests in the dispute and what steps to take to eliminate the 14.4 percent lumber duties.
The province says the council first met on January 30 and is expected to meet regularly.
For a list of all council members, click here.
