By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce are calling on the Canadian and Ontario governments to step up efforts to prioritize the softwood lumber dispute.
The two groups are concerned about a significant increase in anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 20.56 per cent, a decision recently made by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Anti-dumping duties are imposed taxes on imported goods to compensate for the difference between the export price and the normal value. The duty is imposed if a product is being sold to Canadian importers at prices lower than comparable products in the country of export, or when goods are sold into Canada at unprofitable prices.
Rick Dumas, NOMA president, said the increase represents a dramatic escalation in trade barriers for a sector vital to Northwestern Ontario’s economy and future.
“Forestry is the economic lifeblood of communities across Northwestern Ontario,” Dumas told The Chronicle-Journal. “This unjustified and protectionist action will have a direct and harmful impact on workers, families, Indigenous communities, and local economies throughout our region.”
He added that the increase intensifies uncertainty for mills, contractors, and forestry-dependent municipalities who are facing significant ongoing economic challenges.
“We’re still working with the Ontario Forest Industries Association in regards to the file itself,” Dumas said.
“Both the federal and provincial governments are doing all they can. But we know our neighbour (Trump), every morning he wakes up, and he has a different scenario of life. So we don’t know. All we can do is continue asking the government to focus on the softwood lumber, and that’s no different than steel and aluminum. I mean, they’re focusing on everything.”
He added that Prime Minister Mark Carney “is not going to cave” and will make sure he gets the best deal for Canada.
“We’ll see what comes out of Friday. At some point, something’s got to give. What’s going to happen, we don’t know,” he said, referring to the U.S. and Canadian negotiation deadline of Aug. 1 for a trade and security deal.
Charla Robinson, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president, explained that Canadian lumber producers have faced unjust and punitive duties since the expiry of the last softwood lumber agreement in 2016.
“The cumulative cost of these tariffs, now totalling over CDN$10 billion, has directly undermined investment, innovation, and the long-term viability of the sector,” she said in a statement.
“These rising duties threaten the stability of businesses and the livelihoods of thousands of people in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario,” Robinson said. “Our region relies on a strong, sustainable forestry sector. We urge all levels of government to work together to defend our interests and restore fair access to the U.S. market.”
Meanwhile, the business group and NOMA are asking the federal and provincial governments to make the softwood lumber dispute an urgent national priority and engage with U.S. officials for a fair and timely resolution.
They want the governments to accelerate legal challenges under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and urge the World Trade Organization to overturn these punitive duties.
They are also urging the governments to work in close partnership with forest-sector stakeholders to develop mitigation measures and economic supports that protect communities from further harm.
Dumas added, “We stand united with our forestry workers and industry partners. Fair and predictable access to the U.S. market is essential — not just for our region, but for the economic health of communities right across Canada.”
