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CTV National News: Breaking down the changes to Canada's counter tariff strategy

CTV National News: Breaking down the changes to Canada's counter tariff strategy

CTV News4 hours ago

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PM Carney says if Canada doesn't get a trade deal with the U.S. in 30 days, it will impose a new wave of counter tariffs. Mike Le Couteur explains.

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B.C. forestry watchdog urges province work with logging companies on wildfire mitigation
B.C. forestry watchdog urges province work with logging companies on wildfire mitigation

CTV News

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B.C. forestry watchdog urges province work with logging companies on wildfire mitigation

The little-known agency tasked with overseeing B.C.'s forestry industry is urging the provincial government to update regulations and consider compensating logging companies to help minimize wildfire risk near communities. (CTV News) The little-known agency tasked with overseeing B.C.'s forestry industry is urging the provincial government to update regulations and consider compensating logging companies to help minimize wildfire risk near communities. In a special investigation titled, 'Help or Hinder? Aligning Forestry Practices with Wildfire Risk Reduction,' the Forest Practices Board found that 'outdated standards, poor implementation, and regulatory gaps' are impacting companies' ability to help reduce wildfire risk near 'interface' zones near homes. 'It affects everybody in B.C., this kind of risk that we have,' explained board chair Keith Atkinson, in a one-on-one interview with CTV News. Of particular focus is a catch-22 identified in the two-year analysis: Many logging companies are doing a good job of gathering branches and other wood waste in piles for burning, which eliminates wildfire fuel near communities. However, they're only allowed to burn that debris – the most cost-effective way of eliminating it – when conditions are right to avoid sending smoke toward the nearby communities. Some of those piles, the report's authors found, can sit for multiple wildfire seasons and add to the risk, rather than reduce it. 'We need the public to support this kind of good burning and getting rid of that material,' said Atkinson. 'We know that industry operating in the (interface) zone is one of the best ways to reduce the hazard around the community.' A troubled industry The association representing the industry is still analyzing the findings, which were made public Thursday morning, but there is support for the idea in principle. 'It's a public safety matter, so industry is keen to be part of the solution,' said Kim Haakstad, president and CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries. 'But at the same time, we can't do it in a way that endangers companies' financial health.' Logging companies and wood product producers are facing considerable headwinds at the moment, in large part due to incoming softwood lumber duties in the U.S., as well as American scrutiny of Canadian wood and pulp products. Shifting regulatory considerations are adding to their problems, says Haakstad, and the added expense of managing wildfire fuels for the province means the companies would likely need to be compensated to take new steps. 'We think that we can do things in a way that is taking care of the environment, that is balancing social objectives, that includes First Nation reconciliation, and has forest fire management, and is economic, and that allows the forest industry to continue to provide high paying jobs,' she added. The ministry responds The minister of forests was unavailable for an interview, but his staff responded that they would take some time to 'carefully review' the report and its suggested course of action. The five recommendations are to set proactive fire management goals, clarify legal definitions and improve transparency, increase public accessibility of wildfire risk reduction plans, reduce abatement timelines, and update guidelines. 'Reducing the risk of wildfires is a priority for the ministry, we take this work seriously,' reads an email statement from the Forests Ministry. 'Based on a preliminary review of the recommendations, we believe a number of initiatives underway across the ministry address the recommendations.'

Carney announces new measures to protect Canada's steel and aluminum industries
Carney announces new measures to protect Canada's steel and aluminum industries

Calgary Herald

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Carney announces new measures to protect Canada's steel and aluminum industries

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday announced Canada will adopt new tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum, in addition to other measures to protect domestic industries in response to United States tariffs that are disrupting global trade. Article content One new measure will limit the amount of foreign steel coming into Canada, while another will change federal government procurement policies to favour the use of Canadian steel and aluminum. Article content Article content 'We must reinforce our strength at home and safeguard Canadian workers and businesses from the unjust U.S. tariffs that exist at present,' Carney said at a press conference. Article content Article content On June 5, U.S. President Donald Trump increased tariffs on all foreign steel to 50 per cent from 25 per cent. Article content Although the U.S. tariffs affected all countries, Carney said one of their consequences is that steel that other countries would have sent into the U.S. may be diverted into Canada. Article content One of the new measures he introduced will establish a 'tariff rate quota,' which will limit the amount of steel a foreign country can export to Canada based on how much it exported in 2024. Article content Article content The Canadian Steel Producers Association, a lobbying group for the country's largest steel producers, has spent months arguing that U.S. tariffs will flood Canada with other countries' steel, thereby depressing steel prices here just when they are trying to increase their sales in the domestic market. Article content Article content Two weeks ago, the organization's board members travelled to Ottawa for a meeting with Carney's top cabinet ministers and pushed for counter tariffs on U.S. steel, as well as more tariffs on foreign steel coming into Canada. Article content 'It is clear that the government is seized with the gravity of the situation facing Canadian steel and understands the need for expediency in responding,' Catherine Cobden, chief executive of the CBSA, said in a press release on June 6. Article content So far, the federal government has stopped short of imposing additional tariffs on either steel or aluminum, but it said it 'will adopt additional tariff measures over the coming weeks to address risks associated with persistent global overcapacity and unfair trade in the steel and aluminum sectors, which are exacerbated by U.S. actions.'

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