Common Council passed a motion unaimously at its meeting yesterday to continue working with the two senior levels of government to protect the city’s interests when it comes to softwood lumber. Officials will also try to ensure Ottawa understands the potential impact on local economies, like Saint John with the Irving Mill on the west side.
Meanwhile Washington announced a further tariff of almost 7% is being added to the duties announced in April. US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, however, also issued a statement that shipments of softwood lumber from Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador should be excluded from the duties. The statement makes no mention of New Brunswick. A final decision on the matter is expected by late summer.