Susan Holt

NEW BRUNSWICK — After months of negotiations, Canada still doesn’t have a deal to reduce or eliminate the 45% tariffs on softwood lumber from the United States, leaving industries across the country to grapple with tough financial decisions as they head into 2026. The New Brunswick industry in particular has been rocked by these tariffs, and Premier Susan Holt says they need a deal soon as thousands of jobs are at risk. “Folks have been working really hard to avoid layoffs in the face of 45% tariffs, but they can’t hold that position for much longer,” Holt told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis during a year-end interview. “What we need is a deal. We need Ottawa to go to Washington and negotiate to get those tariffs off.” …“There’s urgency to get a deal done.”