British Columbia Premier David Eby reacts critically to Ottawa’s decision to exclude softwood lumber from a tariff relief initiative. Eby says the softwood sector in B.C. has been “decimated” by U.S. tariffs, and he questions why the industry is not included in a relief list tied to about $1 billion in tariff relief funding. In his remarks, Eby emphasizes that softwood lumber is a major industry in B.C. and that U.S. tariff measures also affect value-added products, which he argues intensifies the impact on workers and businesses in the province.
The news coverage reflects B.C.’s frustration with the federal government’s approach, highlighting a disconnect between the province’s assessment of the harm caused by U.S. tariffs and Ottawa’s selection of industries for relief. Ottawa’s decision is presented as a policy choice that leaves the softwood lumber sector outside the scope of the specific tariff relief package being discussed. The reporting centers on Eby’s pushback and his request for an explanation for the omission, while not providing additional details on the criteria Ottawa used to determine which industries qualify for the funding.
