The inauguration of a highly protectionist president of the United States has sparked trepidation among B . C .’ s forestdependent communities and prompted B . C . Premier Christy Clark to tout her government ’ s efforts to find new markets outside the United States for its softwood lumber reports the Globe & Mail . Donald Trump did not wait for the keys to the Oval Office to signal a new U . S . trade agenda that threatens to tear up trade deals deemed unfavourable to homegrown industry and jobs . British Columbia , which supplies half of Canada ’ s softwood-lumber exports to the United States , is now bracing for what could be its toughest round of trade conflict |
over softwood lumber . Already , the U . S . International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into alleged harm of Canadian imports to the American softwood-lumber industry .
Speaking to the annual Truck Loggers Convention last week , Ms . Clark vowed to continue to fight for B . C .’ s forest industry in the latest trade battle . “ Time after time , without regard for the facts , the American government has accepted all of the allegations that have been filed by the U . S . lumber industry . You would get more fair and impartial hearings from a judge at a pro-wrestling event ,” the Premier told the convention .
Ms . Clark announced that the province has made progress
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though in building alternative markets , with the first major shipment of B . C . lumber to India currently on its way . The concerns remain , however , about what Mr . Trump ’ s administration will mean for those who rely on forestry in B . C . The sector is still shrinking .
In 2001 , when the B . C . Liberals took office , the province had 91,000 forestry jobs . The government launched a “ revitalization plan ” to tackle the decline . Today , there are about 60,000 forestry jobs and , in addition to the renewed softwoodlumber war with the United States , there is a shrinking timber supply due to the mountain pine beetle infestation .
This week , Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa signed a letter , along
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with mayors of seven other forestresource communities , calling for a corporate tax break aimed at providing relief to struggling forest companies . The mayors want the province to eliminate its sales tax on industrial electricity purchases , which they say will improve competitiveness and save jobs . In an interview , Mr . Formosa said the softwood-lumber trade war isn ’ t just another challenge , it is part of a larger threat to keeping rural communities alive . |