Canada’s federal government has created a new Canada-U.S. trade advisory panel, with executives from Canfor and Domtar among its members, as the country prepares for the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Among the appointed members are Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO of Canfor, and Luc Thériault, President of Domtar’s pulp and wood products division, two executives representing Canada’s forest products sector.
The committee, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on April 21, will serve as a forum to provide strategic advice on the Canada-U.S. economic relationship. It is chaired by Dominic LeBlanc and is expected to hold its first meeting on April 27.
The inclusion of leaders from the pulp and paper sector comes at a time when cross-border trade conditions remain a critical factor for Canadian producers, particularly in lumber, pulp and packaging markets closely tied to U.S. demand.
The advisory body brings together representatives from multiple sectors, reflecting the broad scope of Canada-U.S. trade. Its mandate includes advising on trade policy, economic cooperation and strategic positioning ahead of the CUSMA joint review scheduled for 2026.
Canada’s trade relationship with the United States remains central to the country’s industrial base, with daily exchanges of goods and services reaching billions of dollars. For the forest products industry, access to U.S. markets continues to influence pricing, investment decisions and supply chain strategies.
The committee is expected to play a role in shaping Canada’s position ahead of the 2026 CUSMA review, a key milestone for cross-border trade.
Based on information from the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.
