Unifor is fighting to protect good jobs amidst a perfect storm of crises impacting Canadian forestry.

A combination of economic, environmental, and global challenges continues to destabilize Canada’s forestry sector. The softwood lumber dispute and the threat of further tariffs have intensified a trade war that may cause disastrous repercussions. 

Unifor is actively engaged in lobbying government and corporate representatives to take action to protect forestry jobs. 

Canadian forestry workers, their families, and their communities deserve a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative forestry sector, one that supports good jobs, supports forestry communities, protects natural ecosystems and species, meets commitments to Reconciliation, and promotes innovation and value-added work. 

Fight for Forestry Jobs

Quick facts

  • Canada’s forestry sector generates a gross domestic product (GDP) of $20.9 billion, representing 1.1% of the country’s total economic output.
  • With more than 163,000 workers, many of whom are based in rural communities, the forestry sector continues to be a critical creator of good, union jobs that support local economic development.
  • Unifor represents 24,000 forestry sector members spread across 10 Canadian provinces.
  • As of September 2025, the combined general softwood duty rate now stands at 35.16% (anti-dumping rates are 20.53% and countervailing duty rates are 14.63%).
  • The U.S. has subsequently imposed new Section 232 tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, effective October 14, 2025, adding a 10% tariff on top of the existing softwood duties, resulting in total duties exceeding 45%.
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WATCH: Lana Payne speaks to House of Commons Committee on International Trade on Softwood Lumber Dispute

Unifor National President and member of the Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations about the need for a long-term negotiated deal for softwood lumber exports to the U.S.

"We need to make sure we are protecting Canadian workers & jobs," Lana Payne tells MP Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, as workers face trade uncertainty.

Lana Payne addresses the long-standing American allegation of Canadian forestry subsidies.

Lana Payne tells MP Blake Desjarlais that workers must be central in policy discussions & that strong industrial policies are needed to protect jobs.

"Unifor has been clear to all levels of government on the need for bold redevelopment & a coordinated industrial strategy," Lana Payne tells MP Kyle Seeback.

Lana Payne says there needs to be a common approach from the entire forestry industry, government and unions in the U.S. softwood tariff dispute.

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