Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River MP Gary Vidal spoke against the increase on softwood lumber tariffs in the House of Commons on Friday. (@GaryAVidal/Twitter)

By Elliott Knopp

Softwood Tariffs

MP Vidal calling on feds to challenge softwood tariffs

Nov 26, 2021 | 4:50 PM

Following an announcement revealing the tariffs on softwood lumber would be increasing to double the previous rate, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River MP Gary Vidal is calling for action to remedy the development.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the combined total for the anti-dumping and countervailing duty rate for many Canadian producers would rise to 17.9 per cent.

In response, Vidal released a statement Friday morning criticizing the announcement, calling it an indication of a declining relationship between Canada and the U.S.

He also said the move hurts cross-border businesses and threatens Northern Saskatchewan’s Indigenous-owned businesses.

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“The U.S. is again targeting Canada by doubling tariffs on Canadian softwood,” he stated.

“These actions by the United States are a serious threat to the forestry sector in Northern Saskatchewan and to Canada’s economic recovery from the pandemic.”

“Either Prime Minister Trudeau didn’t mention softwood lumber in his meeting with President Biden in Washington, or the president just doesn’t put much stock in what the Prime Minister has to say.”

Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) Industrial Investments President & CEO Al Balisky also spoke against the measures, saying NorSask Forest Products LP has paid nearly $20-million in tariffs to the U.S. Department of Commerce as of 2021.

“The Canadian government is responsible for matters related to international trade and, as such, has a special duty of care with respect to the interaction of international trade disputes and impact to Indigenous communities,” he said.

“These self-generated funds that have been unfairly paid as duties to the US represent foregone revenue to MLTC’s First Nation communities that could be used for significant social benefit.”

In the House of Commons on Friday, Vidal asked Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade of Canada Mary Ng when the MLTC could expect an end to the tariffs.

Ng responded by saying she has been speaking with leaders in the softwood lumber industry, and that they would be the ones who dictate the negotiating mandate.

“I will work closely with the industry as I always have, and we will continue to pursue their interests,” she rebutted.

Vidal also believes the new measures will have a negative impact on Indigenous reconciliation. He said the $20-million lost in fees should play a significant role in community development, and the lack of action on the front of several other Indigenous issues is halting the attempts to make progress.

“It’s a damaging aspect of it, but it’s when you package it with all the other stuff, when you package it with all the other posturing and the lack of action where we really see the damage to reconciliation.”

meadowlakeNOW reached out to the Liberal Party of Canada for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp

-with files from the Canadian Press