Unifor is calling on federal and provincial leaders to unite behind a national strategy for Canada’s forestry sector, following a preliminary decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce that would more than double duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports.
The proposed increase would raise the combined duties on softwood lumber to 34.35%, with a final ruling expected in August 2025. In response, Unifor—Canada’s largest private-sector union—warns of significant economic risks for forest-dependent communities and is urging governments to act.
“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. “This is the time to commit to an industrial strategy that supports forestry operations in every province and keeps Canadians working.”
Unifor represents more than 22,100 forestry workers across 10 provinces, spanning sawmills, pulp and paper mills, and wood product manufacturing. The union has been lobbying for measures to protect jobs and ensure long-term industry viability in the face of trade uncertainty.
Daniel Cloutier, Unifor’s Quebec Director, emphasized the need to shift from a reliance on exports to value-added domestic use: “The lumber is grown here—now we must process and build here. In the short term, we need immediate support for employers and workers impacted by these increased duties.”
Adding to the pressure, the Trump administration has also launched a separate national security investigation into imported wood and paper products, which could lead to further tariffs on Canadian exports such as pulp and furniture.
Unifor’s Forestry Council pledged to work with all levels of government to develop support mechanisms, trade diversification strategies, and income protections for affected workers. The union has committed to defending forestry jobs “through whatever means necessary.”
