Toronto – July 21, 2026. The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) expressed deep concern regarding President Trump’s announcement yesterday imposing 50% tariffs on a wide range of goods, including some forest products covered under USMCA.
While not mentioned in the executive orders, Monday’s announcement comes in the wake of President Trump’s threat to impose tariffs over Canadian wildfire smoke drifting into U.S. cities.
Toronto – June 8, 2026. The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) congratulates the Government of Canada and the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force (the “Task Force”) on the release of its report and roadmap to support and transform Canada’s forest sector.
The report is an important first step toward a coordinated, forward-looking strategy for Canada’s forest sector, providing alignment with Ontario’s recently released Forest Sector Roadmap. OFIA underscores the need for collaboration across jurisdictions as recommendations from both the Task Force and Ontario’s Forest Sector Roadmap are implemented.
Toronto, Ontario – April 28th, 2026. The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) welcomed the release of Ontario’s Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector, which includes three pillars and nine objectives designed to defend, adapt, and grow the province’s forest product sector.
Ian Dunn, President and CEO of the OFIA, stated: “The people of Ontario need to know that while forest products are probably the most trade-impacted industry, we have also learned that no industry is immune from similar treatment and that not all segments of the forest industry face the same issues.”
Toronto – November 27, 2025. The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) welcomed the Government of Canada’s announcement of new measures to strengthen the forest sector in the face of escalating U.S. trade action.
“Prime Minister Carney and the Government of Canada have demonstrated that they will do what is necessary to protect the forest sector from unfair and illegal trade action,” said Ian Dunn, President & CEO of the OFIA. “These measures need to be accessible to the sector, and the urgency to get this done has never been greater. OFIA is committed to working with all parties to ensure existing and newly announced measures will work for the industry, and support all efforts in securing a settlement.”
Toronto - October 15, 2025. Yesterday, additional U.S. tariffs took effect as a result of a Section 232 national security investigation into timber, lumber, and related products. Total duties and tariffs for softwood lumber are now approximately 45%.
“We have been advising governments at all levels to anticipate and prepare for the crisis we now find ourselves in,” said Ian Dunn, President & CEO of the OFIA. “The Trump administration has reached the absurd conclusion that upholstered furniture and softwood lumber represent a national security threat to the most powerful military on earth. Progress appears to have been made with the U.S. for other trade-impacted sectors, and lumber needs to be viewed as an equal priority.”
Toronto – October 1, 2025. Today, the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) responded to the announced shutdown of the Kap Paper mill in Kapuskasing and the temporary curtailments of GreenFirst Forest Products’ Kapuskasing, Hearst, and Cochrane sawmills, which, combined, will impact 2,500 direct, indirect, and induced jobs.
“We are very concerned about the impacts on these communities, the integrated sector, and the regional economy of Northeastern Ontario,” said Ian Dunn, President & CEO of the OFIA. “The global paper sector continues to evolve, and Ontario is not immune to these forces. We strongly urge the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to explore all options and create a sustainable path forward for the Kapuskasing facility.”
Joint Statement from Ontario Municipal and Business Leaders
September 30, 2025. Today, business, union, and community leaders from across Ontario voiced alarm in response to the latest escalation of the U.S.–Canada trade war. Yesterday, President Trump made the egregious proclamation that Canadian forest products represent a threat to U.S. national security, mystifying those impacted.
This decision, made under Section 232 of the Tariff Act, places an additional 10% on softwood lumber producers, who are already paying a 35% duty on exports. Market entry costs for Canadian softwood lumber producers are now approximately 45%. This decision will subject other products, such as upholstered wooden products, cabinets, and vanities, to 25% tariffs at the border.
Thunder Bay – September 26, 2025. The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) welcomes today’s announcement by the Government of Ontario of a $30 million investment to support the competitiveness of the province’s forestry sector and public forest road transportation.
The investment includes an additional $20 million for the Provincial Forest Access Roads Funding Program, which ensures safe and reliable access to Ontario’s public forests for recreationalists, anglers, hunters, trappers, businesses, local residents, emergency services, and other natural resource industries such as mining. Ontario also announced a further $10 million for the Ontario Sawmill Chip Support Program.
The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) expresses concern regarding today’s decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to significantly increase duties on Canadian softwood lumber. The combined anti-dumping and countervailing duty rate is now 35.19%, up from the previous rate of 14.4%.
“American consumers need Ontario forest products and our members are well positioned to continue to meet that demand,” said Ian Dunn, President & CEO of the OFIA. “Working with Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario’s forest products sector can supply construction material for new domestic infrastructure and homebuilding projects, while developing new markets for growth. Increasing duties and diversifying away from American markets will come at the expense of American homeowners and homebuyers.”
Announces Kerry Group PLC and CHAR Technologies as Newest Members
The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) is pleased to welcome Kerry Group PLC and CHAR Technologies to its membership, expanding its focus on the circular bioeconomy and promoting next-gen forest products.
"Our exciting new partnership with the OFIA demonstrates a shared vision for innovation and growth within Ontario’s forest sector. Together, we aim to drive positive change, support local communities, and contribute to a thriving circular bioeconomy. We look forward to making a meaningful impact together," said Lesley Wright of Kerry Group Canada.