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Yurkovich hopeful Biden-Harris administration can end softwood lumber squabble

There’s a glimmer of hope the ongoing softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the United States might come to an end under the Biden-Harris administration.

That’s from Council of Forest Industries President Susan Yurkovich who stated our neighbors to the south remain our most important trading partner.

She told Vista Radio BC forest products remain a very desirable commodity.

“We have of course have seen over the spring very strong demand from American customers for BC products and we are hoping that a new administration can recognize the importance of the North American marketplace and the important role Canada and the BC marketplace play in it.”

“There is strong demand for our product here in the US and that’s because the American industry is not able to meet the demands of consumers of the United States and with a new administration and hope for a vaccine, what we are going to see is optimism.”

Yurkovich added the goal is to get tariffs removed on BC lumber products, which have had a negative impact on sawmills.

“We’ve been fighting this softwood lumber dispute with the US for decades now and we have these ongoing legal fights with our American industry counterparts and we continually prove in court that our industry is not subsidized.”

She is of the opinion the incoming Biden-Harris government could improve trade relations between the two countries.

“America is the single-most-important trading partner for British Columbia and for Canada and the stability with your trading partners is really important.”

“Softwood lumber has been an ongoing challenge for our two countries and with the new administration we are looking forward to having a new opportunity to resolve the dispute.”

U-S President-elect Joe Biden is set to begin his term on January 20th.

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Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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