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By Curtis Galbraith

Forestry Business

Alberta industry group welcoming help for softwood lumber producers

Aug 9, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The Alberta Softwood Trade Council says it is glad to see the federal government offer some help for an industry dealing with higher U.S duties.

A release posted on the Alberta Forest Products Association website quotes council co-chair Jason Krips as saying this is “an important step forward” and that the council is glad to see the federal government recognize the industry’s importance.

“We’re encouraged to see the federal government recognize the importance of Canada’s forest sector — especially at a time when workers, communities, and companies are navigating so much uncertainty,” Krips went on to say, adding that “investments that open markets, support the workforce, and prioritize homegrown and sustainable wood products all help build long-term sector resilience. Domestic policy that supports our forestry workers is always welcome.”

The release also says it “remains critically important” that a new deal on softwood lumber is negotiated with the Americans as a lot of the forest products made in Alberta are shipped to the U.S and lumber duties are close to 35 per cent.

The announcement from the federal government includes loan guarantees worth $700 million, along with $500 million to diversify products and markets and promises to prioritize Canadian products in federal projects.

There is also $50 million to teach workers new skills or improve the ones they have, along with income supports for 6000 workers, and a promise to look for more international markets for Canadian lumber.

– Thank you to the Tree Frog Forestry News daily email for providing the link to the above release.