| | Trade
Agriculture and Forestry is committed to honouring Alberta's domestic and international trade obligations. The Department is actively engaged in ongoing trade related negotiations related to natural resources.
Agriculture and Forestry's interests are represented and protected in key federal and provincial programs and initiatives led through the Alberta ministries of:
- Economic Development and Trade
- Treasury Board and Finance
- Labour
U.S. - Canada Softwood Lumber Trade Dispute
The U.S. is Alberta's largest market for softwood lumber products; and because of the importance of forestry to Alberta's economy, a stable trading relationship is essential. The 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement expired on October 12, 2015 and on November 25, 2016, the U.S. softwood lumber industry filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting the initiation of countervailing, anti-dumping and injury investigations into imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada.
First Administrative Review
Each year, during the anniversary month of the publication of an AD or CVD order, an interested party may request that the U.S. Department of Commerce conduct an administrative review of the order. The outcome of this review determines the actual weighted-average margin and duty assessments for shipments during the period of review and the future cash deposit rate until the next administrative review. Requests for administrative reviews must be received by the U.S. Department of Commerce by the last day of the anniversary month of the publication of the AD or CVD order (January 2019).
The administrative review process will be similar to the process used for the initial investigation, but will apply only to companies that are subject to the review. The U.S. Department of Commerce will investigate provincial, territorial and federal assistance programs which U.S. industry alleges have benefited Canadian companies during the period of review (expected to be April 28, 2017 through December 31, 2018). Unlike the initial investigation, no action with respect to the collection of cash deposits is required at the preliminary results of the review. Cash deposit instructions will be issued upon publication of the final results in the U.S. Federal Register, expected as early as the end of January 2020 and as late as July 2020.
Global Affairs Canada will continually be updating the Frequently Asked Questions – Softwood Lumber page. Please bookmark and visit for updates into the upcoming Administrative Process and recent announcements on this Canada – U.S. trade issue.
Global Affairs Canada - Frequently Asked Questions
Preceding Developments
The U.S. Department of Commerce issued instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect CVD and AD duties on all lumber shipments from Canada starting December 28, 2017, the date the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) published their final injury determination in the Federal Register.
Published Final CVD and AD Rates:
Company | CVD | AD |
| Canfor | 13.24% | 7.28% |
| Irving | 3.34% | 6.04% |
| Resolute | 14.70% | 3.20% |
| Tolko | 14.85% | 7.22% |
| West Fraser | 17.99% | 5.57% |
| All others | 14.19% | 6.04% |
On November 14, 2017, the Government of Canada filed a notice of intent to appeal under Chapter 19 with the NAFTA Secretariat regarding the countervailing duty investigation. On December 5, 2017 a notice of intent to appeal regarding the anti-dumping case was filed.
On November 28, 2017, the Government of Canada formally requested World Trade Organization (WTO) consultations on U.S. duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber.
A summary of Product Scope is found on pages 1 to 3 of the U.S. Department of Commerce Fact Sheet.
Industry stakeholder inquiries can be directed to softwood.boisdoeuvre@international.gc.ca.
Interprovincial Trade Agreements
Imports and Exports
Regulations for importing coniferous logs or forest products with bark attached and for exporting Crown timber volumes and wood chips are managed through policy directives.
These requirements are in place in order to:
- protect Alberta's forests and economy from destructive forest pests that can be unknowingly introduced with shipments of imported coniferous logs and forest products with bark attached;
- ensure wood fibre exports are tailored to economic circumstances;
- enable cross-border trade and stimulate investment and economic development of Alberta's forest industry.
Government of Canada Import and Export Information
The federal government, through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, is responsible for development of forest policies that prevent the introduction and spread of regulated pests into Canada and export programs for Canadian forest products. |
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