Forestry Industry

Question period touched on the forestry industry, which is facing sawmill closures and difficulties linked to tariffs and trade with the United States. Bloc Québécois members called for a wage subsidy to keep skilled workers employed and asked the government to cover a portion of the duties forestry companies pay, citing a sawmill in Saint-Michel-des-Saints seeking bankruptcy protection with 250 jobs at risk. Liberal ministers said the government would support the sector, as it has for steel, aluminum and auto, pointed to plans to make loans available to affected workers and communities, and noted infrastructure announcements being made in Quebec.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

4 statements

Yves-François Blanchet, Beloeil—Chambly

Bloc Québécois
“Our forestry industry is in trouble and sawmills are closing. The government should pay workers' wages so companies do not lose skilled staff. Will the government use the industry's free plan to help restart lumber exports?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in all of this, there is no provision for what virtually everyone in the field is asking for: a wage subsidy program that would help maintain employment relationships, preserve expertise within companies, and prevent foreign workers with specialized skills from being sent home. There is nothing on this for these companies. In the meantime, our forestry industry is in trouble and our sawmills are closing. Will the government implement the cost-free solution proposed by the forestry industry to resume lumber exports?

Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Liberal
“We will support the forestry industry, even with our trade problems with the United States. Today, the Prime Minister is in Quebec to announce billions of dollars for local infrastructure.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 29 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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    Clarity 46 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, obviously, we will be there for our forestry industry, just as we have been there for the aluminum, auto and steel sectors. We are indeed facing headwinds on the trade front with the United States, but we will always be there for the people. In fact, the Prime Minister will be in Quebec later today to drum up billions and billions of dollars in infrastructure investments for communities both small and large across Quebec. We will always be there for Quebeckers and for the communities.

Gabriel Ste-Marie, Joliette—Manawan

Bloc Québécois
“A major sawmill in my region is going bankrupt because of tariffs, putting 250 jobs at risk. The federal government must help right now by covering half the duties paid by our forestry companies. This will cost the government nothing and could save these businesses.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the tariff crisis has just forced Matawinie’s biggest employer to seek protection under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. The Saint-Michel sawmill and its 250 jobs need immediate, debt-free liquidity, otherwise it is all over. The Bloc Québécois warned the government that its support measures for the forestry sector would not be enough. Ottawa needs to buy back 50% of the countervailing and anti-dumping duties paid by our companies. This measure would cost the government nothing, but it could save businesses like the Saint-Michel sawmill. When will the government understand that urgent action is needed?

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Liberal

Linked statement

“The forestry industry is going through a hard time. We are working to make government loans available to help these workers and their communities.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, of course our thoughts are with the workers in Saint-Michel-des-Saints because we know that this is a very difficult time for the forest products sector across the country. That is also why we will be there for them. We currently have a plan for steel, aluminum and copper, which is very beneficial under the circumstances, knowing, of course, that unjustified and unjustifiable tariffs are being imposed on these sectors. However, the Minister of Natural Resources and I are working to ensure that these BDC products can also be made available to the forestry sector. I look forward to working with my colleague on this because we need to support communities across the country.

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