Today, business, union, and community leaders from across Ontario voiced alarm in response to the latest escalation of the U.S.–Canada trade war. President Trump made the egregious proclamation that Canadian forest products represent a threat to U.S. national security, mystifying those impacted. This decision places an additional 10% on softwood lumber producers, who are already paying a 35% duty on exports. In response:

• Danny Whalen, President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, stated, “Every new tariff is a direct hit to our families, our workers, and our municipalities.”
• Rick Dumas, President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, said, “Today’s announcement is a significant setback and threatens the future of our communities.”
• Jason Laco with United Steelworkers Local 1, 2010 Thunder Bay – Kapuskasing, said, “Our workers are counting on federal and provincial governments to stabilize the sector.”
• Stephen Boon, Northern Area Director at Unifor, stated, “We need a settlement with the United States that is fair and reasonable.”
• Ian Dunn, President & CEO of the Ontario Forest Industries Association, concluded, “Placing additional tariffs on Ontario’s forest sector under the false flag of national security is a disturbing abuse of Presidential power.”