RAVI Parmar, Minister of Forests, said in a statement on Friday in response to the softwood lumber antidumping duties announced by the United States: “U.S. President Donald Trump has made it his mission to destroy Canada’s economy, and the forestry sector is feeling the full weight of this.

“It is no secret, the sector – one that employs tens of thousands of workers in our province – has faced years of uncertainty, driven by ongoing trade disputes, global market pressures, and the compounding effects of climate change. Now, we face further challenges, with rising unfair and unjust duties imposed by the United States.

“These duties are nothing more than a tax on middle-class Americans trying to build or rebuild a home. They are hurting people on both sides of the border, with the forestry sector being unfairly targeted.

“Let me be clear: we will not stand by while Donald Trump tries to rip paycheques out of the hands of hard-working people in B.C.

“We’re going to fight for our workers, our communities and the future of this sector. Not just to protect jobs, but to build a future where forestry workers and their families thrive for generations to come.

“Premier David Eby is at the table with other premiers federally discussing our Team Canada approach and response. In B.C., I will be convening my Softwood Lumber Advisory Council to advise and support our government’s response and strategy.

“I have appointed former deputy minister to the premier, Don Wright, as a strategic advisor on softwood lumber, to ensure B.C.’s interests are well represented, and to help us align with federal and cross-provincial efforts.

“We will continue to take action to address the challenges the forestry sector is facing because this is about more than lumber; it’s about people and place. By working together with industry, First Nations and communities, we can build a resilient and sustainable forest economy that works for people, protects our resources, and ensures long-term prosperity for everyone in B.C.”

THE BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) said it is deeply disappointed by Friday’s final determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 20.56%. If the Department’s forthcoming determination in the countervailing duty review is consistent with the preliminary results, the combined rate will be well over 30%.

This decision represents yet another example of ongoing U.S. protectionism at a time when cross-border cooperation should be a shared priority.

“These duties are both unjustified and harmful,” said Kurt Niquidet, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council. “They unfairly penalize forestry workers and families across British Columbia, while further increasing costs for American homebuilders and consumers.”

Niquidet emphasized the need for a lasting resolution:  “Rather than prolonging this decades-old dispute through costly litigation, we urge both governments to pursue a fair and durable agreement that delivers long-term certainty in the softwood lumber trade.”

In the meantime, BCLTC said it will continue working closely with the Government of Canada and industry partners to vigorously challenge these duties through all available legal channels.

“We will continue to stand up for Canadian producers and the thousands of workers and communities that depend on a stable, rules-based trading relationship with the United States,” Niquidet affirmed.

THE BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) strongly condemned Friday’s decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to once again increase anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber. It said these unjustified and punitive trade actions continue to harm workers, families, and communities across British Columbia and Canada—and have gone unresolved for far too long.

“We call on the Government of Canada to make resolution of the softwood lumber dispute a top national priority. But this latest escalation also underscores a hard truth: we cannot wait for the US to act,” it added.

“To keep forestry workers employed and communities strong, BC must urgently strengthen the conditions to succeed here at home. That starts with treating forestry as a major project to reach a target harvest of 45 million cubic metres and taking immediate action to restore wood flow, protect jobs, and stabilize the sector—while laying the groundwork for long-term competitiveness.”

COFI said the following need to happen now:

• Accelerate the Path to 45 million cubic metres of annual harvest by unlocking near-term volume through fast-track permitting, BC Timber Sales (BCTS) auctions, and expanded salvage and thinning operations.

• Launch a dedicated permit triage and acceleration team—made up of experienced forestry professionals—to resolve the backlog of active permits and enable new applications. A functional single-window permitting system should be a long-term goal, but action is needed now.

• Break down cross-ministry barriers by aligning environmental, reconciliation, and economic priorities—reducing contradictory policies and delays that paralyze the sector.

• Immediately release ready-to-sell BCTS volumes to get wood flowing to mills today—not months from now.

• Support First Nations with the capacity and tools to expedite referrals, co-develop land use plans, and increase revenue sharing—so that partnerships can move at the speed of opportunity.

It said: “The best way to support forest workers is to keep mills operating and people working. We want to retain forestry workers, not retrain them. With practical, coordinated action—like activating timber sales, fast-tracking permits, and cutting through regulatory gridlock—BC can send a clear signal: we are serious about rebuilding a competitive, sustainable forest sector that works for people, communities, and the planet.

“The province has the tools—and COFI is ready to roll up our sleeves and work alongside government to put them to use.”