Thoughts on BC Politics and More

BC’s forestry sector is bracing for what it’s calling a “breaking point”. The stark warning comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s new 10 per cent tariff on Canadian softwood lumber officially takes effect, pushing total duties to more than 45 per cent. On Tuesday, Premier David Eby stood alongside industry and union leaders to denounce Trump’s latest blow, calling it an “existential threat” to mills in every corner of the province ... CLICK HERE for the full story  

The long-running softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the U.S. has taken a turn, with Ottawa backing away from two legal battles over duties dating back to 2017 and 2019. The federal government says it’s a strategic move to help negotiate a broader trade deal, but some producers in BC — Canada’s largest softwood-producing province — say they’re the ones left paying the price ... CLICK HERE for the full story

British Columbia’s forestry leaders are offering a mix of praise and pointed caution following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of more than $1 billion in federal aid for Canada’s embattled softwood lumber industry.  While both government and opposition voices welcomed the support, they emphasized the urgent need for structural fixes — including fiber access and a lasting resolution to the trade dispute with the United States ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

BC forest industry has a lot at stake in trade talks between Canada and the U.S. as Prime Minister Mark Carney works toward the suggested Aug. 1 deadline for a deal, and a promise to make resolving the pre-existing dispute between the two countries on softwood lumber trade a priority. Article content Mills in the province are already running at just 67 per cent capacity during the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, and mill operators are staring down the August deadline for the U.S. Commerce Department to finalize its latest assessment of duties on Canadian imports that could more than double the rates ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Our On The Ledge panel discusses the Prime Minister's meeting with the U.S. President, the latest talk about separatism by Alberta's Premier, and a new BC plan aimed at reducing our reliance on U.S. electricity ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Resolving the softwood lumber dispute could create "momentum" for a larger trade agreement between Canada and the United States, British Columbia Premier David Eby says. Eby said Wednesday in Victoria that he and several other premiers pressed that point during a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney after his visit with U.S. President Donald Trump this week. He said softwood lumber could present an opportunity to "lead the way in terms of opening the door again to concrete and meaningful discussions that benefit both Americans with cheaper building materials … as well as growth in our economy" ...  CLICK HERE for the full story

A nyone remember when BC lumber was not subject to U.S. tariffs? What we now refer to as the Canada- U.S. Softwood Lumber Dispute began in 1981 when the U.S. lumber industry complained to its Department of Commerce that Canada was unfairly shipping and selling lumber in the U.S. the Department of Commerce found Canada’s lumber industry did not “hinder” the U.S. industry. Although that decision was not appealed, additional and subsequent charges were levied by the U.S. producers, resulting in the softwood lumber war that continues today ... CLICK HERE for the full commentary

Today’s latest news from the US Commerce Department, of a new preliminary 20% anti-dumping duty on Canadian softwood lumber exports, is not sitting well with Kamloops North Thompson MLA, and Conservative BC Forestry critic, Ward Stamer. Speaking from Victoria Stamer commented, “Since 2017 the American’s have hit us with ten billion dollars in duties.” “Last week our party leader, John Rustad, proposed putting a carbon tax on American thermal coal. If their tariff is now 20.07% on our lumber, then let’s put 20.07% on their thermal coal.” “And let’s do it TODAY - that will certainly get their attention.” Stamer continued, “We need to get back to the table and negotiate a new free trade softwood agreement with the United States.” In recent weeks the Kamloops North Thompson MLA has been clear about the precarious situation British Columbia’s forest industry is in, with mill shut downs, and the loss of thousands of jobs. “We are going to have more people out of work, and we are going to be ...

The US Commerce Department today announced new preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports of 20 per cent. Canadian softwood lumber producers already pay 14.4 per cent, on average, in anti-dumping and countervailing duties. “ It is deeply disappointing that the U.S. continues to impose these protectionist trade measures ” said Kurt Niquidet, president of the BC Lumber Trade Council. "The fact remains that the United States relies on Canadian softwood lumber imports and these duties will harm not only the BC forestry industry, but also US consumers, who will bear some of the cost”.  Today’s release of the new preliminary duties is just the first shot across the bow in what is expected to be a nasty trade war, with additional tariffs that may be layered on top of duties ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) is cautioning British Columbia Premier David Eby and BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar to consider how forest policy changes could potentially harm Indigenous forestry workers and operators as the new government has committed to reviewing provincial forestry policies. On December 12 th , 2024, the BC NDP signed an agreement-in-principle with the BC Greens to create a stable provincial government. The IRN is particularly concerned that the agreement commits the government to undertake yet another BC forests policy review as the province is facing expected softwood lumber duties and U.S. tariffs on February 1 st ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Ottawa: Cathy McLeod, Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, during today’s first Question Period asked the government about their plan to get forestry workers in British Columbia back to work. Mr. Speaker, the B.C. forestry industry is in crisis. Thousands have been laid off and more job loss is expected before the holidays. The Speech from the Throne yesterday failed to mention that the Liberals will not even acknowledge a crisis exists. The government failed to negotiate a softwood lumber agreement, and the Prime Minister's antics at NATO may have destroyed any opportunity to get a deal done. What is their plan to get forestry workers in B.C. back to work? “ The Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) didn’t give the courtesy of a response and left it to the Deputy Prime Minister, who struggled through an answer to my question ,” said McLeod. “ They have proven once again to fail forestry workers. There was no mention of immediate action...

One of the reasons why I write weekly MP reports is so citizens can be informed and follow events occurring in Ottawa ... and by extension, hold myself and MP's from other parties to account. As much as I would like to share events occurring in Ottawa this week unfortunately the House of Commons is still not in session. Despite the election occurring back in late October, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has waited until Thursday, December 5th to recall the House for a Throne Speech. After the Throne Speech the House is not scheduled to sit again until Monday, January 27th of 2020. The House of Commons was last in session in late June of this year and, with the exception of the brief throne speech on December 5th, it will have sat vacant for over half a year. While it is understandable that this is an abnormal time, as a result of the federal election, it is concerning that nearly three months will have passed, since the election, before the House assumes regular sittings....

Forestry workers wishing to continue working in the industry can take little comfort in Tuesday’s announcement by John Horgan and the NDP, who remain absent on this file with no plan to help the industry succeed through this crisis. That announcement from the government indicated that they would create a $69 million to fund a new series of measures aimed at supporting British Columbia forest workers impacted by mill closures and shift reductions in several BC Interior communities. Forestry Minister Doug Donaldson also called on the forest industry to increase supports for impacted workers, ensure key corporate leaders are working on the industry transition and ensure that it does a better job of communicating effectively with affected workers and communities. “ The vast majority of people in forest-dependent communities want and need to work, but there was nothing announced Tuesday to help the industry return to a healthy and competitive position ,” stated BC Lib...

Here in Kamloops my federal Conservative MP, Cathy McLeod let it be known in no uncertain terms what she thinks about Trudeau’s accomplishments when it comes to the punitive duties being imposed on our softwood lumber by the protectionist Americans: Speaking on Thursday McLeod stated that, “ The Liberal government has failed to take decisive action on this file ... and today’s decision is merely window dressing ,” Over the years the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) panel has made the same ruling time and time again. “US duties on Canadian softwood lumber are unfair and unwarranted ... the economic well-being of BC’s interior is at stake ,” stated MP McLeod. Next door in Alberta, calls for action were just as swift; they will continue to advocate for free and unfettered trade to increase economic activities and jobs. “ We are disappointed with the International Trade Commission (ITC)’s original position that Canadian softwood lumber ...