Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, has issued the following statement, after a preliminary decision by the United States Department of Commerce to apply an anti-dumping duty of 22.16% on Catalyst Paper’s and Kruger Products’ uncoated groundwood paper exports to the United States.

With preliminary countervailing duties already in place, Catalyst and Kruger are now facing combined duties of 28.25% and 32.09%, respectively.

“Today, people working at Catalyst mills in Port Alberni, Powell River and Crofton are receiving the news of yet another unfair decision by the U.S. against B.C.’s newsprint industry, and their communities.

“B.C. is extremely disappointed that the current U.S. administration has, once again, made the decision to impose unfair tariffs, this time on B.C. newsprint producers.

“Workers in Catalyst mills can be sure that the Government of British Columbia will be standing shoulder to shoulder with them. We will fight for their jobs, their industry and their communities.

“We will not be bullied. We will not be pushed around. We will work closely with Catalyst and the federal government to fight this preliminary decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and demand that B.C. is treated fairly by its largest trading partner.

“People in B.C. can count on this government to fight for their jobs and their industries whenever they are threatened.”