Vaughn Palmer

VICTORIA — Premier David Eby started the week by abandoning his threat to target Americans with a direct advertising campaign against the US’s hefty tariffs on softwood lumber from BC. …No sign of backing off last week. But there he was Monday doing just that at the wrap up of the summit with the federal ministers. …As to what the premier got for this show of humility, it was mostly a working group. …The same day, the leading industry group, COFI, reminded Eby of his promise to increase the annual allowable cut from the current 30 million cubic metres to 45. …Eby agreed the province has work to do but cautioned that even where the annual cut has been allocated, it may not be economic to harvest because of the looming threat of tariffs. …Both concerns were underscored by the end-of-the-week news of the permanent closure of West Fraser’s mill in 100 Mile House.