Canada’s lumber industry is warning of a crisis as the BC government and Ottawa prepare for a softwood summit to discuss the long-standing trade dispute with the US. The BC Lumber Trade Council, the Forest Products Association of Canada, the Canadian Lumber Trade Alliance and the Independent Wood Processors Association of BC are among the groups sounding the alarm. “It has been 10 years since the last softwood lumber agreement expired,” said Andy Rielly, chair of the group of wood processors. “But everyone is just trying to survive until the next quarter.” …“We’re going into some pretty dark times,” said David Elstone, managing director of Spar Tree Group. “I’m not optimistic that there will be a resolution to the softwood lumber dispute any time soon.” Derek Nighbor, president of the Forest Products Association of Canada, said sawmills are already dealing with shift reductions and prolonged shutdowns. [to access the full story a Globe & Mail subscription is required]