A cornerstone industry of northwestern Ontario is at risk, says a regional municipal group, with the decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 20.56 per cent. “Forestry is the economic lifeblood of communities across northwestern Ontario,” said Rick Dumas, president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), in a July 28 statement. “This unjustified and protectionist action will have a direct and harmful impact on workers, families, Indigenous communities, and local economies throughout our region.” The provincial government called the U.S. commerce department’s decision to increase duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports an “unjust burden” on American consumers that will raise construction costs in the U.S., make homes less affordable, and negatively impact economic growth on both sides of the border. “We remain firm in our position that these duties should be lifted entirely, for the benefit of workers and families on both sides of the border.”