Stephen Fuhr

Softwood lumber has always been a cornerstone of British Columbia’s economy, and the pressures facing the sector today are significant. That is why our government has continued to step up with real and tangible support. This past summer, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and I announced new measures in West Kelowna to help mills weather the ongoing trade challenges. A few weeks ago, nearly a billion dollars in additional federal support was introduced to strengthen the industry and protect jobs in communities that depend on forestry. We are also taking action to prioritize Canadian softwood lumber here at home, cutting interprovincial freight rates for lumber by up to 50 percent… I saw first-hand what that means during a recent visit to Tolko in Kelowna. …This past week, I met with the Premier of British Columbia to discuss the issues that matter most to our province and to communities like Kelowna.