TORONTO – With record-high lumber prices and urgent demand from U.S. builders, Canadian lumber firms haven’t had to lay off staff or cut production at all, despite substantial duties on U.S.-bound lumber. Canada’s softwood lumber exports to the U.S. have declined 8 percent since the duties were imposed, but because the wood itself is worth more, the industry hasn’t suffered. VP of international trade and transportation for the Forest Products Association of Canada Joel Neuheimer said the higher price of wood and the insatiable demand from U.S. builders is helping keep the duties from pushing companies to lay off staff, cut production or even close down. …Tight lumber markets are responsible for boosting lumber prices, bringing costs to a 13-year-high in July. Canadian market analyzer Moody’s says that sustained high lumber prices in 2018 will cover the cost of final duties on Canadian lumber imports, benefiting North American producers and timberland owners.