Softwood lumber

The softwood lumber industry is an important sector in the Canadian economy, supporting thousands of jobs in communities across Canada and creating many positive spin-off effects in related industries and services. Canada's modern, efficient, environmentally sustainable lumber companies have the potential to serve markets at home and around the world.

On this page

In the United States, where demand for lumber exceeds what domestic mills can supply, housing and other industries rely on Canada for stable, predictable access to quality products. The 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA), which provided stability and predictability for industry on both sides of the border, expired on October 12, 2015.

Canada and the United States continue to pursue a negotiated outcome to this important bilateral issue. The Government is also meeting on a regular basis with industry, provinces and territories, and other stakeholders.

Softwood Lumber dispute

The Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute has become one of the most enduring trade disputes between both nations. Over the past 25 years, the United States lumber industry has frequently sought U.S. government restrictions on Canadian softwood lumber imports through the application of U.S. countervailing duty and antidumping laws – laws that allow the imposition of import duties when a U.S. industry is allegedly harmed by subsidies in the exporting country (countervailing duties), or by dumping, which is when a U.S. industry is allegedly harmed by imported products sold at prices that are lower than the cost of production or lower than prices in the domestic market (anti-dumping duties).

Recent developments

  • 07-05-2024 – Statement by Minister Ng on NAFTA Chapter 19 panel initial decision regarding U.S. countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber

    On May 6, 2024, a NAFTA Chapter 19 panel released its initial decision regarding Canada’s challenge of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s countervailing duties on softwood lumber. Canada welcomes the panel’s finding that the U.S. countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber are inconsistent with U.S. law.

    The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, issued a statement on this development.

  • 22-04-2024 – United States Department of Commerce announces the selection of respondents for the sixth administrative reviews of the softwood lumber countervailing and anti-dumping duty orders

    On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce selected Canfor and West Fraser as mandatory respondents for the sixth administrative review of the softwood lumber anti-dumping duty order.

    On April 22, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce selected Canfor and West Fraser as mandatory respondents for the sixth administrative review of the countervailing duty order.

    For additional information on the administrative review process, please consult the Frequently asked questions section of this website.

  • 05-03-2024 – United States Department of Commerce initiates its sixth administrative reviews of the softwood lumber countervailing and anti-dumping duty orders

    On March 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce published the Notice of Initiation of its sixth administrative reviews of the softwood lumber countervailing and anti-dumping duty orders.

    The next step in administrative reviews is the selection of mandatory and voluntary respondents, which is expected in late March or early April 2024.

    For additional information on the administrative review process, please consult the Frequently asked questions section of this website.

More recent developments

Monthly Canada-US softwood lumber exports reports

2024

More Softwood Lumber historic reports

News

Contact us

Softwood Lumber Division (TNS)
Global Affairs Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-944-8950
Email: softwood.boisdoeuvre@international.gc.ca

For more information

To learn more about the Canadian softwood lumber industry, and the support available to Canadians, please visit the Natural Resources Canada Softwood Lumber page.