Ian Dunn

EAR FALLS, Ontario – Canada’s lumber industry was weathering weak markets before Donald Trump became US president again, but Trump’s tariffs made an already difficult situation even worse. That’s the assessment of Ian Dunn, OFIA president. “It’s still early days” since Trump added 10% points to the burden, he said, and mill operators are weighing their options. “Companies are certainly losing money as we speak, but they do not want to lay people off because it’s very hard to get people back,” he said. “And I think there’s hope that there might be some additional stabilization measures or programs that the province or the federal government may come out with that will help us through this difficult time.” Dunn made his comments Thursday as Interfor was informing Ear Falls Mayor Kevin Kahoot of their decision to [temporarily] shut down their Ear Falls mill indefinitely, putting more than 100 employees out of work.