Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard doesn’t expect the federal government to loan the province any money to subsidize the softwood lumber industry. This comes after the announcement that tariffs will be imposed on Canada’s softwood lumber exports to the United States.
On Monday, Couillard confirmed that it was important for the Trudeau government to place measures that are “complimentary” to those set out by Quebec.
If the federal government wants to help, the premier said that it doesn’t “necessarily” need to double the $300 million that Quebec is ready to inject.
According to Couillard, it is important that the Trudeau government helps the forest industry by pointing it towards new products and markets.
Aside from the five industry giants – like Produits forestiers Résolu – the Trump administration imposed a 19,88 per cent retroactive tariff on Quebec and Ontario lumber producers. The American government is expected to announced a decision regarding antidumping rights on June 23.
Following the announcement that tariffs will be imposed on Canada’s softwood lumber exports to the United States, a new campaign is being launched to promote the industry in Quebec.
With a $4.2-million budget the three-year campaign, titled “Une forêt de possibilités,” will outline a number of ways the potential of Quebec’s forests can be harnessed. This announcement came right as 1300 Résolu employees were forced to take leave due to a conflict about commercial lumber.
The Couillard government is providing $2.7 million of the campaign’s budget, along with $1.35 million from the Quebec Forest Industry Council.