QUESTION PERIOD — International Trade
Forestry Sector
June 28, 2021
Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. I rise today to highlight the recent attempt to restrict forest exports from Canada by legislatures in California and New York. Certainly the forest sector is an important part of Canada’s economy and a key source of prosperity for people and communities from coast to coast to coast.
According to Natural Resources Canada, about 205,000 people work in the forest sector, including approximately 12,000 Indigenous people. The forest sector contributed $23.7 billion to Canada’s GDP. Canada is a global leader in the production of many forest products, including softwood lumber, wood pulp and wood pellets. In fact, over two thirds of Canadian forest products are exported, and the U.S. is our largest trading partner.
Honourable senators, these new efforts ultimately pose a real and deliberate threat to Canada’s reputation, customer relationships, our ability to deliver on environmental and economic objectives and the confidence people should have in products being sourced from Canada. Most concerning, these bills could set a dangerous precedent for other states and governments to advance non-tariff trade barriers if successful.
Senator Gold, what is the government doing to protect both our domestic forest industry and the over 200,000 Canadians and families who rely on this industry?
Thank you, honourable senator, for raising this question. As you point out, forestry is an important industry, especially, though not exclusively, in the province of Quebec, which I represent. The government is certainly concerned with the government procurement bills on forest products that are currently before the New York and California legislatures. I’ve been advised that the government has been working with the provinces and with industry to meet frequently with both New York and California state governments to register our concerns and Canada’s objections to their proposed bills.
Canada, as you know, is a world leader in sustainable forest management, with our legislative framework monitoring and enforcing structures across this country. The government will continue to work with communities, industry, provinces and territories to protect our industry and sustainably manage our forests.
