PEACE RIVER, AB — Since commencing operations in 1990, the Mercer Peace River pulp mill has become an anchor of northern Alberta’s economy. The mill directly employs 360 people and supports approximately 3,000 jobs across Alberta’s forest sector supply chain, including through long-standing relationships with local forest sector operators and sawmills. Its growth reflects the significant benefits that free trade with the United States has delivered for businesses, workers and communities across Canada. Last week, Washington imposed additional unjustified tariffs on Canadian goods, creating significant uncertainty for workers, businesses and communities, including those that depend on Canada’s forest sector. Canada negotiated intensively and in good faith toward a fair and comprehensive agreement. However, the terms proposed by the United States asked too much of Canada and offered too little in return. Canada therefore suspended negotiations rather than accept a bad deal that would undermine Canadian workers, businesses, strategic industries and national sovereignty.