Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector, is urging government to “think big on forestry” in using the country’s vast lumber production to stimulate a national affordable homebuilding strategy.
Stemming from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s stated intention to more than double combined duties on Canadian softwood lumber, Unifor is calling for a unified approach to support the struggling industry.
"We have an opportunity to address two crises with one made-in-Canada plan to build the housing we desperately need with our own mass timber and lumber," said Unifor National President Lana Payne in an April 8 statement.
"Unifor is calling on federal and provincial party leaders to commit to an industrial strategy for forestry that will support forestry operations in every province across the country and keep Canadians working,” Payne added.
Unifor presents its affordable home strategy here.
At the urging of the U.S. lumber lobby, the U.S. commerce department’s preliminary determination to jack up softwood lumber duties by 20 per cent to 34.35 per cent. The final determination is expected in August.
Moreover, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a 'national security' investigation into imported lumber, timber and wood products and could tack on more tariffs imposed on Canadian wood, pulp, and furniture exporters later this year.
The Unifor Forestry Council said it will "continue working with federal, provincial and municipal governments to develop economic protection and financial assistance plans, trade diversification strategies, mitigate job losses and enhance income security provisions for all workers."
Unifor is an active government lobbyist in representing more than 22,100 forestry workers across 10 provinces who work in sawmills, pulp and paper plants and in wood products manufacturing.
"We must reduce our historic dependence on exporting lumber and adapt Canada's forestry industry. The lumber is grown here — now we must process and build here," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. "In the short term, we need to see immediate supports for employers to keep workplaces operating, and income supports for workers who face curtailments and layoffs due to these increased duties."
