B.C. lumber sector in crisis with rising duties, weak markets, and log shortages

B.C. lumber producers face potentially heavy losses as commodity prices continue to fall while punitive U.S. softwood lumber duties have risen. Weakening U.S. housing construction has added further strain on B.C.’s forest industry, raising the likelihood of more mill shutdowns and layoffs. Lumber prices have flatlined in recent weeks due to weak demand, just as new, higher duties in the Canada–U.S. softwood lumber dispute took effect. Mills in the province are now operating at losses of up to US$220 per thousand board feet of two-by-fours, a standard industry ...