Vancouver, BC (October 14, 2025) – The BC forest sector calls on the Government of Canada to bring the same urgency to the lumber file as it has to steel, aluminum, and energy.
Our industry is facing an unprecedented period of challenge. On top of the existing 35% softwood lumber duties, the United States has now imposed an additional 10% tariff—wrongly claiming that Canadian lumber and forest products represent a national security threat. These unwarranted and unjustified trade actions are having devastating impacts and the lack of tangible progress for forest sector workers and communities is deeply concerning.
In support of the sector, Ravi Parmer, Minister of Forests said:
‘These are tough days for forestry workers and contractors around British Columbia. Today marks the start of the U.S. additional 10% tariff on softwood lumber. With combined U.S. duties and tariffs soon sitting at around 45% for softwood, B.C. companies are being squeezed, workers’ pay cheques are at risk and communities built around forestry are feeling the strain.’
‘Fighting American duties and tariffs will require everyone working together — industry, workers, and all levels of government — to defend pay cheques and keep businesses operating — but it’s clear that we need the federal government to stand up, shoulder-to-shoulder with us. We need to move quickly — we need support now — to get relief into the hands of workers, contractors and communities.’
Now more than ever, we must work together—across the full value chain and with all levels of government—to ensure the immediate survival and long-term stability of the forest sector. Without swift and decisive action to resolve these trade issues and restore wood flow to manufacturing operations, thousands of forestry jobs are at risk.
We cannot continue to manage the decline of this foundational industry. We must focus on rebuilding competitiveness, driving innovation, and strengthening the entire value chain. Forestry remains a cornerstone of the provincial and national economy—a major project that can deliver tangible results now, if given the necessary attention and support.
The forest sector stands ready to work collaboratively with government partners to find solutions, rebuild market confidence, and secure a sustainable future for our workers, our local and First Nations communities, and our country.
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Statement issued by:
Kim Haakstad, President & CEO, BC Council of Forest Industries
Lennard Joe, President, BC First Nations Forestry Council
Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director, BC Community Forest Association
Kurt Niquidet, President, BC Lumber Trade Council
Brian Hawrysh, CEO, BC Wood
Ted Dergousoff, President, Independent Lumber Manufacturers Association
Brian Menzies, Executive Director, Independent Wood Processors Association
Todd Chamberlain, General Manager, Interior Logging Association
John Nester, Manager, North West Loggers Association
Geoff Dawe, National President, Public and Private Workers of Canada
Joe Nemeth, General Manager, BC Pulp & Paper Coalition
Megan Hanacek, CEO, Private Forest Landowners Association
Peter Lister, Executive Director, Truck Loggers Association
Scott Lunny, Director and Jeff Bromley, Wood Council Chair, United Steelworkers
Gavin McGarrigle, Western Regional Director, Unifor
Gord Chipman, Executive Director, Woodlots BC
Media contacts:
Travis Joern, Director of Communications, COFI
Joern@cofi.org, 778-846-3465
Ministry of Forests, Media Relations
Forest.Media@gov.bc.ca, 250-380-8491