Jerome Pelletier

J.D. Irving Ltd says the provincial government needs to persuade Washington the wood supply in New Brunswick is operating as a free market. Irving is New Brunswick’s biggest player in the softwood lumber market and a major exporter to the United States. …On Friday, the vice-president of JDI’s sawmills division said the Commerce Department’s ruling could lead to spending cutbacks. “When your revenue is cut by 10 per cent, capital projects will be reviewed,” said Jerome Pelletier. “For the short term, our intention is to keep operating our mills the same as we are operating today.” Pelletier said U.S. Commerce authorities were reacting to reports there is “market distortion,” when it comes to wood sales from private woodlots in New Brunswick.