The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is calling a U.S decision to increase tariffs on softwood lumber as unfair and unjustified.
The export fee charged against Canadian companies increases to over 35 percent.
President of NOMA Rick Dumas says the increase will drive up construction costs and worsen housing affordability.
“This escalation is deeply unfair and unjustified,” states Dumas in a release.
“We stand united with partners like the Ontario Forest Industries Association and FONOM (Federation of Northeastern Ontario Municipalities) in standing up for Ontario’s forest industry. We’re calling on both the Canadian and U.S. governments to work together to finally resolve this decades-long trade war.”
Dumas adds that their communities need certainty, fairness, and a durable, rules-based solution that supports rural and Indigenous economies and keeps lumber affordable.
The province also condemns the increase.
It says the duties are an unjust burden on lumber exporters and should be lifted entirely.
“We recently called on the United States to uphold its commitment to free and fair trade by lifting duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports after the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to increase duties on softwood lumber,” a release states.
“This call was an invitation to respond to a time of global instability with a renewed commitment to strong economic ties, shared values and national security, for the good of workers in both the United States and Canada.”
According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, U.S. tariffs on construction materials
have already added up to $6,000 to the cost of building a home in the U.S. and could increase another $14,000 by 2027 if the duties remain in place.
