N.B. premier eyes federal budget for more softwood lumber supports, strategies

Provinces that export softwood lumber have agreed to an approach to encourage a deal with the United States.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says a working group between British Columbia and Ottawa sparked to support the forest industry was an initiative by B.C., and that N.B. has its own strategy.

The working group was announced Monday in Vancouver, a promise by Ottawa to find ways to help an industry that’s been heavily impacted by tariffs.

“Obviously, softwood lumber continues to be something that we have been raising with the Americans,” said Dominic LeBlanc, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade. “We’re not going to wait because the hour is grave, the moment is serious for us to continue to work together.”

Holt told reporters Tuesday she’s expecting to hear about further support for the industry in the coming weeks, that will include N.B.

“New Brunswick has been advocating for support on softwood lumber and engaging with our industry to talk about what they need specifically and pushing the federal government to provide solutions and meet our needs here, in New Brunswick,” she said.

The industry employs over 24,000 people in the province.

On Oct. 14, the U.S. placed another 10 per cent tariff on top of the existing 35 per cent. Holt has said it’s not a sustainable situation, and has mentioned job losses are looming.

Rick Doucett of the N.B. Federation of Woodlot Owners told CTV News some U.S. mills have stopped buying from New Brunswick producers, specifically round wood.

New Brunswick’s natural resources minister says Prime Minister Mark Carney is ‘very well aware’ that N.B. is the most forest-dependent province in Canada, and he feels the province is being included in the conversation with Ottawa to try and find a solution for the industry.

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