OTTAWA – In response to the United States’ plan to significantly hike tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber—reportedly up to 34.45%—the Green Party of Canada is calling for the immediate development of a Federal Strategic Reserve of softwood lumber and other essential resources to protect Canadian interests, stabilize prices, and revitalize domestic industries.
The proposed U.S. tariff hike follows a 2023 increase from 8.05% to 14.54%, and would be a devastating blow to Canadian forestry workers. U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to claim that the United States does not need Canadian lumber, despite clear evidence of supply shortages and housing crises in both countries.
“Enough is enough,” said Jonathan Pedneault, Green Party co-leader. “Canada must stop being held hostage by unfair U.S. trade practices. It’s time we focused on building resilience at home—by keeping our lumber here, using it to address our housing crisis, and investing in Canadian jobs, not U.S. corporate profits.”
The Green Party is urging the federal government to:
- Establish a Strategic Reserve of softwood lumber, aluminum, steel, and other critical materials;
- Stop raw log exports and prioritize domestic milling and processing;
- Work with Premier David Eby and First Nations in B.C. to ensure Indigenous leadership and stewardship in forestry policy;
- Use Canadian lumber to build climate-resilient, culturally appropriate public housing—particularly on First Nations reserves where housing needs are acute;
- Ensure long-term maintenance funding for public housing so that infrastructure remains safe and livable;
- Require that logging profits derived from public lands be reinvested in Canadian communities, not siphoned to foreign shareholders.
“American forest industries have pressed for tariffs against Canada – and generally succeeded, in getting White House after White House to violate trade agreements with Canada,” said Elizabeth May, co-leader of the Green Party. “Whether on shakes and shingles in the 80s or dimension lumber, forest products are a long-time trade irritant. The Trump trade wars have escalated the threat. Canada cannot stand for this abuse and the damage it poses to forest industry dependent communities and workers.”
The Green Party also called for a national conversation about value-added forestry, moving away from raw exports and toward a future of sustainable, community-led forestry that respects Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship.
“Public lands must serve the public good,” added Pedneault. “It’s time for industrial logging companies profiting from Canada’s natural resources to give back to the people whose forests they harvest—starting with fair taxation, local reinvestment, and Indigenous partnership.”
The Green Party’s plan builds on its broader vision for a just transition that supports workers, strengthens domestic supply chains and ensures a future of climate-safe housing and economic justice.
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For more information or to arrange an interview :
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press secretary
514-463-0021
Rod Legget
Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications
613-203-1524