Local MLA selling lumber

Photo: BC Gov Flickr

Thomson at the Yuriage market in Japan

With the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute hurtling towards litigation, a trade mission to Asia led by Forests Minister Steve Thomson carries more significance than usual.

Thompson, the Kelowna-Mission MLA, is leading a delegation of 25 senior industry representatives on a tour of Japan and China in an attempt to diversify B.C. wood markets.

Japan is worth $760 million to the B.C. wood industry, with China being the province's second most valuable market at $1.2 billion.

“It’s critical that we continue build and maintain those relationships,” Thomson said from Shanghai.

President and CEO of the Council of Forest Industries Susan Yurkovich echoed that sentiment, but said there is still time to salvage a deal, “there is certainly still time to negotiate things.”

“I also feel very good about the work we’ve done with the Government of Canada and B.C. to prepare. So we are ready, and we are well-positioned to defend that claim. Discussions can continue, and are continuing.”

Yurkovich added the Trump administration will not be able grow the American economy like promised without B.C. lumber.