Richard Froese
South Peace News
An official at Tolko Industries projects potential tariffs on forest products going to the United States would hurt forestry operations in the High Prairie region and across Canada.
Forestry Supt. Chris Valaire addressed Big Lakes County council about the negatives impacts at its regular meeting Feb. 12.
U.S President Donald Trump announced proposed tariffs shortly after he was inaugurated Jan. 20.
“Pending U.S. tariffs will negatively impact the forestry sector right across Canada,” said Valaire, based at the Northwest Woodlands office in Slave Lake.
“With imposed tariffs, there will be greater volatility in supply and demand as fewer people build homes due to increased costs with already-present higher inflation and interest rates.”
Tolko has significant conifer operations in northern parts of Alberta and British Columbia, he noted.
“The cost of these dimensional lumber forest products unfortunately will be impacted the greatest,” Valaire told council.
“Forest production diversification and accessing new markets outside the U.S. are critical to forestry companies operating within Canada.”
He urged citizens to lobby the provincial and federal government and local elected representatives on the issues.
“Citizens can raise these concerns with Lesser Slave Lake MLA Sinclair and Peace River – Westlock MP Arnold Viersen,” Valaire said.
“Ongoing engagement with all levels of government is critical to ensuring that the forestry sector remains viable in northern Alberta communities.”
He added the company has set long-term plans for its operations.
“Tolko has spent significant investment capital to upgrade our mills in western Canada to make production more efficient to reduce overall operational costs,” Valaire noted.
“Tolko has an ongoing commitment to making more value-added products at our mills such as laminated strand board and other engineered wood products that provide greater supply chain certainty to builders and consumers.”
Alberta Forestry and Parks continues to examine ways to reduce regulatory costs on industry and is typically facilitated through the Alberta Forest Products Association.
The Lesser Slave Lake region, through forestry, oil and gas, and tourism, generates significant revenue to the provincial government, he concluded.