WARD STAMER -- We need certainly in our markets, and certainly in our fibre supply, before we no longer have a forest industry in this province

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I think we all realize that the threat of Trump’s 25% tariff is like other provocative statements he’s made in the past. That said, we should have reason to be concerned.

Tariffs don’t benefit anyone. A tariff of that magnitude – included on our own softwood lumber exports, will make things more expensive for Americans, and cause friction in the supply chain. If imposed, a twenty-five percent tariff will be equally detrimental to the citizens and economy of the United States, as well as the people of BC.

There are two things, however, of equal concern to the threat of punitive tariffs by incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

One is our antiquated stumpage fees. It is a legacy from decades ago, and one incapable of responding to changing market conditions. We need to revamp our stumpage system to better reflect market conditions, and our economic costs.

Instead, a value-added tax system will be instantly responsive to current market conditions and will encourage industry to get more value and jobs out of each log. Input credits will be created for higher-value products and better utilization of fibre: meaning the more a producer can do with the fibre, the more credits that will be create

Then, there is the issue of the long-expired softwood lumber agreement with the United States. The previous one expired a decade ago, and the devastation that has caused to BC’s forestry industry cannot be allowed to continue. We need to get a new softwood lumber agreement deal hammered out with the Americans – it can’t wait another ten years.

We need certainly in our markets, and certainly in our fibre supply, before we no longer have a viable forest industry in this province.


After many decades working in the forest industry, Ward Stamer is the forestry critic for the Conservative Party of BC, and MLA for the riding of Kamloops – North Thompson.