Northern Development and Mines Minister Jim Wilson wants community assistance from federal Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew to lessen the impact of the U.S. softwood lumber duties on Canadian producers. The forest industry provides 20,000 direct jobs in Ontario and sawmill closures will devastate many one-industry towns unless additional community adjustment assistance is provided beyond just Employment Insurance, Wilson wrote in a June 12 letter to Pettigrew.
"Ontario remains committed to helping all efforts to secure a long-term durable solution to this problem and would be willing for talks to resume if the U.S. indicates a willingness to be reasonable," Wilson stated in the letter.
"Unfortunately, time may be running out for many Northern Ontario communities where hopes still run high, but the potential onset of pain is imminent."
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