The US Department of Commerce finalized a decision to more than double duties on Canadian softwood lumber. …Ontario ministers Kevin Holland, Mike Harris, and Vic Fedeli… warned “this decision ignores the real burdens duties impose on both sides of the border: reducing productivity, disrupting industry, driving up building costs and making housing less affordable for American families.” …According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, tariffs on foreign construction materials have already added up to US$6,000 to the cost of building a single-family home in the United States since 2018. If current measures remain, the cost could rise by another US$14,000 by 2027. …“NAHB has been leading the fight against lumber tariffs because of their detrimental effect on housing affordability. In effect, the lumber tariffs act as a tax on American builders, home buyers and consumers,” the association stated.