Help is on the way for Canadian steel producers and those in softwood lumber affected by the ongoing trade dispute with the United States. Multiple senior government sources confirmed that Prime Minister Mark Carney will announce measures on Wednesday to protect the steel industry, which has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs by the Trump administration. The measures include cutting limits to the amount of steel that can be imported into the country from nations that do not have a free trade agreement with Canada. …The Carney government will also increase the total money available to struggling softwood lumber companies to $1.2 billion. It’s a $500-million increase from the previously announced Softwood Lumber Development Program, which gives companies access to government-backed loans. …Trade talks between the two countries have been put on pause for the last month.
Additional coverage from Brent Jang at the Globe and Mail (subscription only): Banks tell Natural Resources Minister loans for softwood industry are imminent, sources say
WASHINGTON — American industries ranging from whiskey makers and Wisconsin dairy producers to steel and automobile associations are weighing in on the future of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. The continental trade pact, known as CUSMA, is up for mandatory review next year and the Office of the United States Trade Representative has been collecting input on the changes it should consider. CUSMA has been rattled by U.S. President Trump’s massive tariff agenda and many of the submissions urged the administration to restore duty-free trade. The Can Manufacturers Institute wrote to the Trump administration saying steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada are making their products more expensive and causing prices in grocery stores to increase. …The United States Steel Corporation said tariffs on that metal should remain indefinitely. The submissions provide insight into areas that could become irritants in looming negotiations on the critical trilateral trade pact.
President Donald Trump has yet to follow through on his threat to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Canadian imports, four weeks after he halted “all trade negotiations” over an anti-tariff ad the province of Ontario ran. Trump’s announcement had Canadian exporters preparing for a worst-case scenario: a sweeping levy layered on top of existing double-digit duties. …The White House did not say whether it still plans to impose the tariff when asked for comment. But a separate US official suggested the Trump administration had opted to hold off on additional duties — which would have sent tariffs on Canadian goods to 45% — and instead continue to dangle the threat as the two sides gear up for future talks. “The Canadians know what’s on the table,” said the official. Volpe said a personal intervention by Carney in Asia last month may have helped matters, too.
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday defended making a commitment to carbon emission targets to get the government’s spending plan over the finish line. Carney told reporters before the weekly cabinet meeting in Ottawa that he was “very pleased” his government narrowly won the crucial budget vote on Monday night. …”I can confirm to this House that we will respect our Paris commitments for climate change, and we are determined to achieve them,” Carney said. He also said a nature strategy will be released soon, keeping Canada on target for its commitments on biodiversity as well. That was enough to sway May to vote with the Liberals, a vote that earned her grateful applause from the Liberal caucus. …”Canada is blessed with immense natural resources, everything from hydroelectricity through to conventional oil and gas. We’re part of an energy transition, we’re going to help to lead it.”
Canada’s forestry industry plans to divert a significant share of its wood exports from the US to new international markets. …The aim to send some 1bn board feet to alternative markets underscores how Trump’s tariffs are starting to reshape some global supply chains, although tensions between the US and Canada over wood exports have simmered for more than half a century. …“The US simply needs to fact-check better before they end up with a large shortage of lumber that may cause further housing shortages,” said Rick Doman, chair of FII BC. …Zoltan van Heyningen for the US Lumber Coalition said the American timber industry could replace 1bn board feet of Canadian imports “without batting an eyelid”. …The NAHB says at just 64% of capacity it “will take years” for US domestic lumber production to expand to meet industry demands. …Mike McDonald, a UK-based consultant, acknowledged it would take time to establish confidence among European consumers. [to access the full story a FT subscription is required]
HONG KONG — It is an image that just a year ago would have seemed unfathomable: the Canadian and Chinese leaders standing side by side. …The tide began turning early last month… Prime Minister Carney and leader Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in South Korea – the first time leaders of the two countries had met in eight years. …That has since been followed by another ministerial visit to China. China also reinstated Canada to its approved travel list for tour groups. …But as leaders in Ottawa and Beijing signal it may be time to start doing business again, some experts warn China could be attempting to exploit Canada at a vulnerable moment. …Meanwhile, the US has increasingly ramped up its economic war on its northern neighbor. …Beijing has said it will drop the canola tariffs if Ottawa does the same for Chinese electric vehicles.
CASTLEGAR, BC
Ottawa threw the beleaguered softwood lumber industry a bone. …The new measures include $500 million in new loan guarantees for softwood lumber companies. “Loans are only good if i can sell my prioduct and pay for those loans,” said Brian Menzies, at the Independent Wood Processors Association of BC. “At 45%, I can t sell my product into the United States.” Other steps announced include cutting freight rates. …The measures are window dressing – say some – when compared to the impact of the steel industry supports. “I’m afraid we’ve come to the point that ‘Sophies choice’ is happening and softwood lumber is the child who’s going to be left behind,” said Menzies. It’s a concern shared at Leslie Forest Products, in Delta where James Sanghera said the measures won’t make a difference. “Most of the wood we’re sending down to the States is going on truck.”
The looming closure of a lumber mill in central BC is highlighting the forestry industry’s challenges in accessing an economically viable timber supply — with one academic urging an “emergency response” to deal with it. West Fraser Timber announced it would shut its mill in 100 Mile House by the end of the year. BC’s forestry industry has taken major hits over the last few years, as escalating US duties on softwood lumber imports have piled atop challenges like a major beetle infestation and wildfires, leading to thousands of jobs lost. …UBC professor Gary Bull explained that to have an “economically viable fibre supply,” it needs to make sense financially for a company to transport logs from a forest to its mill. And the viability is complicated by the fluctuating price of lumber. …Bull estimated that insect outbreaks and wildfires have contributed to a 50 to 60 per cent reduction in available fibre near 100 Mile House.
“The BCIT School of Construction and the Environment offers two Associate Certificate programs designed to support workforce development in the North American lumber and sawmill sector: 
VANCOUVER, BC — A large fire broke out on the banks of the Fraser River in Delta on Thursday morning. Fire crews from Delta and Surrey were called between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to the former sawmill under demolition north of the Alex Fraser Bridge on Alaska Way. The land is owned by the Port of Vancouver and the organization confirmed the fire is at the site of the former mill. There are currently no impacts to port operations. …The fire broke out on the site of the former Acorn mill, which stopped operations after a blaze in April 2024. The sawmill was built in 1963 and was acquired by forestry giant Interfor in 2001. It was used primarily to cut specialty timber for traditional Japanese home construction. In 2022, 
Delegates from B.C.’s largest forestry trade mission to Asia have returned home, bringing back business deals, signed agreements and deeper ties with key trading partners in Japan and South Korea, driving growth and investment for B.C.
West Fraser-100 Mile Lumber employees like Kris Taylor are taking each day as it comes, following the announcement of the 
PRINCE ALBERT, Saskatchewan — The sale of a defunct Prince Albert pulp and paper mill from Domtar to the Ontario-based BMI Group has ended plans to re-open the mill and sparked a search for industrial business tenants for the site. “The site will never be a pulp mill again. That is for sure,” said Chris Rickett, BMI Group’s head of government and community relations. After eight months of negotiations, BMI purchased the former Weyerhaeuser Prince Albert pulp mill site and buildings from Domtar, Canada’s largest pulp and paper company. …The former Weyerhauser Prince Albert Pulp and Paper Mill ceased operations in 2006. Approximately 700 workers at the mill lost their jobs, with further indirect job losses in the forestry industry. A spokesperson for the One Sky Forest Products said it is gathering investors to build an oriented strand board (OSB) manufacturing plant on the former mill site. 
This is a rare opportunity to lead highly respected, independent oversight in one of the province’s most important and visible sectors. The Chair plays a pivotal role in strengthening public confidence in forest and range practices across BC. Ideal candidates bring strong governance experience, a background in forestry, and a commitment to transparent oversight. The Chair is a flexible, full-time role leading BC’s independent watchdog for forest and range practices. The Chair plays a key role in strengthening public trust in how the province’s forests and rangelands are managed. The Chair provides strategic leadership, oversees audits and investigations, approves reports, and represents the Board in engagements with Indigenous governments, provincial agencies, stakeholders, and the media. The role is well suited for someone with strong governance experience, sound judgment, and a balanced understanding of BC’s natural resource sector. Appointed by Order-in-Council for an initial term of 3 to 5 years the position may be re-appointed for additional terms of up to 5 years. Closing Date: December 11, 2025
Government has launched Look West, a strategic plan to deliver major projects faster, expand skills training and grow key sectors to strengthen B.C.’s economy, creating good jobs and opportunities for people and businesses, and benefiting all of Canada. “British Columbia can get big things done – which is why our province is vastly overrepresented in the list of major projects Ottawa is fast-tracking,” said Premier David Eby. “This plan sets big goals as we make B.C. the economic powerhouse of Canada to create great jobs and drive prosperity in every corner of the province.” Look West rises to the challenges brought on by U.S. tariffs. The strategy sets a 10-year vision to strengthen B.C.’s economy, including continuing work to speed up permitting and diversify key sectors, so B.C.’s economy is less reliant on the United States.
Members of the management team for West Fraser’s 100 Mile Lumber appeared in front of the District of 100 Mile House Council to answer questions about the permanent closure of their 100 Mile House mill by the end of December. …Mayor Maureen Pinkney began the meeting, noting that the closure is sad news and that she was surprised they were going straight to closure without any curtailment. …Rob Baron, West Fraser’s regional manager of operations, said “The conditions that precipitated the decision to go to permanent closure are really entirely related to long-term viability related to the high cost of saw logs coming to this mill”. …They’re currently getting their shutdown coordinator set up and have resources on site to help their employees through the transition. …Baron said West Fraser doesn’t have any plans for what they’ll be doing with the property in the future, but welcomes anyone interested in the facility to contact them.
Pierre Poilievre says he’d succeed where Prime Minister Mark Carney has failed, and that New Brunswick’s softwood lumber sector would quickly get a “tariff-free” deal with the US if he was in charge. …Ottawa responded by releasing a financial aid package for the industry that includes up to $700 million in federal loans, “$500 million to supercharge product and market diversification. …Poilievre said that “one of my top priorities as prime minister will be to go down to Washington, get a deal on lumber, make the pitch that they will get more affordable homes if we can get tariff-free access to their market.” …MP Dominic LeBlanc sent a statement…. “In the coming weeks, we will take further urgent action, building on the significant support for the sector announced on August 5, 2025. In addition, Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency that will build affordable housing at scale, will prioritize the use of Canadian-made materials. [Access may require a Telegraph-Journal subscription]
The Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Transition Trust is investing $1.8 million to assist private landowners and forest contractors in finding new markets for underutilized wood fibre and to support sustainable forestry management. According to a 
EAR FALLS, Ontario — Northerners know what it means to put in an honest day’s work. …But in Ear Falls, that northern way of life is under threat. In October, Interfor announced the indefinite closure of the Ear Falls sawmill. Over 160 jobs have vanished, and the community is left waiting—hoping that leaders in Ottawa and Toronto will step up, restore these jobs, and fight for the future of Ear Falls. But Ear Falls did not just stand by, they united. Workers, families, municipal leaders, Unifor, and MPP Sol Mamakwa stood shoulder to shoulder to demand action. …But the response from Premier Ford and Prime Minster Carney? Deafening silence. The indefinite closure of Ear Falls’ sawmill, and the silence from Conservative and Liberal governments lay bare the legacy of under-development, under-investment, and under-representation that holds Northerners back.
A decision to cut a tree-planting in the federal budget was met with disappointment by seedling producers. The Canadian Tree Nursery Association represents more than 95 per cent of Canada’s forest restoration seedling producers. The federal government decided to cut short the Two Billion Trees (2BT) Program, saving an estimated $200 million over four years. CTNA executive director Rob Keen said the decision would threaten the long-term environmental recovery of Canada’s forests and jeopardize the forest restoration sector. “I think the whole program was just starting to get some good momentum,” Keen said. …Keen said about 600 million trees are planted each year by the forestry industry. “So, really there was a very significant increase in overall tree planting in Canada,” he said. “And then, I guess in the budget … the government decided, ‘OK, we’re done.’ ”
KINGSPORT, Tennessee — About 300 gallons of waste leaked from Domtar’s mill site to Domtar Park, according to Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation documents. Of the 300 gallons of waste, which included liquids and solids, about 150 gallons were recovered. The mill’s 25-acre lagoon was lowered four to six inches as a precautionary measure in response to the leak, Domtar told the Times News. In its letter to TDEC, Domtar said no detrimental effects were observed to the property or the environment due to the “organic nature” of the lagoon’s contents. Domtar also said it believed the waste found at Domtar Park was “partially” treated through its wastewater treatment process. “The leak did not reach waters of the state and Domtar representatives indicated mitigation was taking place. No further action was taken by the department,” said TDEC spokesperson Jennifer Donnals in a statement to Six Rivers Media.
KINCHELOE, Michigan — A unique manufacturing facility opened in September along a CN line in Kincheloe, Michigan. Located in the Chippewa County Industrial Park in Michigan’s upper peninsula, the $7.3 million, 20,000-square foot facility serves as a transportation and logistics hub for wood and lumber dealer Maple Transport. The facility features a rail spur and is situated near Interstate 75. The new manufacturing hub will support Michigan’s $20 billion forest products industry and serve other new or expanding businesses, Maple Transport officials say. Project funding included $5.8 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, $1.25 million in matching dollars from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., and contributions from the Chippewa County Economic Development Corp. and a Strategic Site Readiness Program grant. Construction began in spring 2024 on the manufacturing facility, which Maple Transport will use to ship wood products, CN officials said in an email. The facility will be served by both CN and trucks.
STEVENS POINT, Wisconsin – USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew Iverson announced the Timber Professionals Cooperative Enterprises (TPCE) will use a Rural Development loan of $800,000 to re-open and expand the former Hoffman Wood Fiber sawmill in Shawano County. This investment is through the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP). TPCE will use guaranteed loan funds to purchase over 49 acres of real estate and equipment. The equipment will allow TCPE to improve the efficiency of manufacturing wood chips. The project also includes plans to expand capabilities of the site to manufacture new, higher-value products from the same raw materials. The project will create six jobs. …TPCE plans to implement a detailed process to improve productivity involving processes in the wood yard and chip mill. Installation of an automatic log feed deck will help increase production from 2,500 to 4,000 tons per month.
After four major paper and pulp mills closed in Georgia this fall, the phone at the South Georgia Sawmill began ringing nonstop. …woodsmen from Georgia were begging owner Adam Williams to buy at least some of their logs… Williams had to say no. The scene here in Georgia is being replicated in other timber markets, raising larger questions about what measures the United States could take to become more self-reliant and preserve its foundational industries. While most of the U.S. wood supply has historically been homegrown, imports have surged, particularly from Canada. … Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has assembled a task force to suss out new opportunities for Georgia wood. Georgia Tech University, for one, is at the forefront of technology that might one day refine new types of aviation fuel from trees. The state is also pioneering the use of so-called “mass timber” – cross-laminated panels of two-by-sixes that replace concrete and steel. 
Nearly 40 Tennessee hardwood companies are among hundreds of U.S. hardwood industry operators calling for federal relief from tariff-induced economic hardship. Tennessee’s forestry products industry supports an estimated 85,000 jobs, according to the 
EU and UK timber industry organisations have declared their “unwavering commitment” against imports of Russian and Belarusian wood products. In an announcement published on the TDUK website, CEI-Bois (European Confederation of Woodworking Industries), ETTF (European Timber Trade Federation), EOS (European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry), and TDUK (Timber Development UK) – have signed the united statement reaffirming the EU and UK woodworking industry’s and wood traders’ strong and unwavering commitment to complying with applicable legislation governing the import of wood products from Russia or Belarus. …Sanctions on wood from Russia and Belarus were introduced years ago, yet residual quantities of prohibited wood regrettably remain in circulation in Europe. …“Our message is clear: the EU and UK wood industry value chain is united in its determination not to import Russian and Belarusian wood. Integrity is a core value of our industry, and we reject illegal and unethical practices by any company.”
Stora Enso is initiating a strategic review of its Central European sawmills and building solutions operations. The 2026 review will cover one business unit of Wood Products business area, including seven sawmills in Austria, Czechia, Poland, and Lithuania, and further processing units with three cross-laminated-timber (CLT) mills, as well as wood procurement, and international sales and distribution operations. Whilst the business in scope has a strong position in an attractive market, it does not bring strategic or operational synergies for Stora Enso’s core renewable packaging operations. …different scenarios will be assessed for the business and assets in scope, including the possibility to divest the business, to strengthen Stora Enso’s strategic focus on renewable materials and packaging. The synergetic sawmills in Northern Europe, including further processing operations, in Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Latvia are not part of the assessment, and this part of the business remains strategically important to Stora Enso going forward.
