Vancouver, BC (August 8, 2025) – The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) condemns the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final determination to more than double countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports—from 6.74% to 14.63%. This comes on top of the previously announced increase to anti-dumping duties, now set at 20.56%, bringing the combined total to a crippling 35.19%.
“These unjustified actions continue to harm workers, families, and communities on both sides of the border,” said Kim Haakstad, President & CEO of COFI. “To mitigate these harms, we must focus on what we can control, which is the competitiveness of the B.C. forestry industry within Canada.”
Haakstad emphasized that B.C. is Canada’s largest producer of softwood lumber, yet the sector faces mounting challenges, including rising costs, declining harvest levels, regulatory delays, and policy uncertainty. “If we don’t take urgent action to improve our business climate, we risk losing more mills, jobs, and economic opportunities,” she said.
COFI is urging the provincial government to take immediate action to improve the business environment for forestry in B.C. This includes streamlining permitting processes, activating provincial timber sales, removing cross-ministry bottlenecks, and enhancing partnerships and revenue sharing with First Nations to ensure a sustainable and reliable wood supply for mills.
“With the right policy tools, B.C. can send a strong message that it is committed to creating a climate where primary and secondary forest manufacturers want to invest, ensuring a steady supply of wood products for B.C., Canada, and beyond,” Haakstad added.
(end)
Media Contact:
Travis Joern, Director of Communications, COFI
778-846-3465, Joern@cofi.org
www.cofi.org