Dear Prime Minister Carney and Premier Ford:

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce represents over 800 businesses and their 20,000+ employees.  I am writing to express our deep concern regarding the announcement by the U.S. Department of Commerce on April 4, 2025, proposing a combined preliminary countervailing and anti-dumping duty rate of 34.45% for Canadian lumber, more than doubling the current rate. These duties are expected to take effect in July and represent a significant threat to the economy and well-being of Thunder Bay and communities across Northwestern Ontario.

The forest sector is an economic backbone for our region, supporting thousands of direct and indirect jobs and providing support for local infrastructure, energy generation, transportation networks, and community stability. Any further erosion of our access to U.S. markets will have immediate and long-lasting impacts on families, First Nations, and municipalities throughout Northwestern Ontario.

As you are aware, Canadian lumber producers have faced unjust and punitive duties since the expiry of the last Softwood Lumber Agreement in 2016. The cumulative cost of these tariffs—now totalling over $10 billion CAD—has directly undermined investment, innovation, and the long-term viability of the sector.

Further compounding the situation is the potential for additional U.S. tariffs on all forest products pending the outcome of a Section 232 national security review this fall. The scale and scope of these trade actions demand immediate and unified response from both the federal and provincial governments.

We call on both levels of government to:

• Make resolving the softwood lumber dispute a top trade priority in bilateral discussions with the United States, including at the Council of the Federation and in collaboration with key ministries.

• Work in close partnership with forest-sector stakeholders to develop mitigation measures and economic supports that protect communities from further harm.

• Publicly acknowledge the urgency of this issue, particularly for rural and northern communities whose economies are disproportionately impacted.

Northwestern Ontario’s future is closely tied to the sustainable development of its natural resources. The forest industry has the potential to contribute significantly to national housing goals, low-carbon energy transition, and rural prosperity—but it cannot do so under the weight of unfair trade action.

We urge your governments to act swiftly and decisively. The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce stands ready to work with both levels of government and the industry to protect jobs, investment, and long-term prosperity in our region.