Softwood lumber tariff will increase would current a problem for Ontario’s forestry trade, however Thunder Bay–Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland stated he’s prepared to satisfy that problem.
On the marketing campaign path, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump promised to crack down on international commerce by imposing larger tariffs on softwood lumber and different exported merchandise from Canada.
“We knew before the election was held that both parties had pretty strong opinions with regards to tariff, particularly on, on lumber coming from Canada,” stated Holland, the province’s affiliate minister of forestry and forest merchandise. “How we approach that change depended on who won the election.”
“So now we know who it is that we’re working with, Ontario will have a role in meeting with our partners across Canada and the Federal government in developing that strategy as to how we can really impress upon them the importance of the forestry sector, not just to us but to their to their country as well,” Holland continued.
He stated that to satisfy their housing targets the US of America might want to purchase wooden and a 3rd of that wooden will come from Canada, so it’s a matter of determining “how can we negotiate with regards to the tariffs in related to what their actual needs are.”
Holland made the feedback to the native enterprise group at a Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce occasion on Wednesday.
He stated his new function because the affiliate minister provides him a chance to point out that Northwestern Ontario is an financial competitor on the worldwide stage.
“Forestry has been the cornerstone of our economy for generations and I honestly believe that it’s going to be the cornerstone of our economy moving forward. How we can incorporate and work the synergies between the mining boom that we’re expecting here and the forestry is one area that we can capitalize on,” Holland stated.
“But it’s really about making sure that the industry is in a position to have that sustainability moving forward and that viability. We all know that there are some challenges in the forestry sector right now. But with every challenge comes an opportunity and I feel quite good about coming into the sector at this point,” he added.
Chamber of commerce president Charla Robinson stated having Holland as keynote speaker on the leaders luncheon was a chance for the enterprise group to listen to in regards to the minister’s advocacy for the area in Queen’s Park.
“He’s very much tuned into what’s happening and very responsive to hearing from the local community about what we want and what we need versus bringing a Queen’s Park approach and trying to bring that to Thunder Bay. He looks at it from a grassroots approach and I think that serves us very well,” stated Robinson.
Since taking over his new function, Holland stated he’s been targeted on advocating for Northwestern Ontario’s financial stability.
Holland was energetic in pushing his authorities to approve a five-year contract between Ontario Energy Technology (OPG) and the Impartial Electrical energy System Operator (IESO) that secured employment for the Atikokan Producing Station.
“I am pleased to report that between June 2022 up to the end of October 2024, $550 million has been invested in the riding of Thunder Bay- Atikokan,” Holland advised Newswatch.
“I really believe that, with all due respect, the government’s role should be about working to create the environment for people and businesses to be successful. I believe we achieve that by talking and listening to each other and collaborating to bring people together,” Holland stated throughout his presentation.
“My campaign in 2022 was summed up in the following statement: we need a strong economy to support healthy communities, but we need healthy communities to have a strong economy. This isn’t a chicken or an egg debate,” he stated.
Since taking workplace, stated Holland, he has introduced 100 southern Ontario ministers to Thunder Bay and across the area to point out them the place nearly all of Ontario’s pure sources lie, however furthermore, he confirmed them the place the challenges of the north additionally lie.
“I have had the opportunity to have ministers visit. I have taken that opportunity to bring them to the agencies, hospitals, industry, and small businesses to experience what I have had the privilege of experiencing since, since my election. And that is seeing firsthand the passion and the pride that exists in our community,” Holland stated.
Clint Fleury is a Native Journalism Initiative Reporter for TBnewswatch.com.
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