The Government of British Columbia is meeting with Catalyst Paper and community stakeholders to come up with strategies to protect the paper industry in light of the U.S. decision to levy high duties against Catalyst Paper’s exports of newsprint, book publishing and printing papers, Premier John Horgan announced today.

“These duties are unfair, especially to the people, families and communities who make their livelihood in this industry,” said Premier Horgan. “We’re listening to our industry partners, community stakeholders, and working alongside our federal colleagues to support the forestry and newsprint industry and do everything we can to ease the impact of these duties.”

The Premier has invited Green Party caucus leader Andrew Weaver, opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson, representatives from Catalyst, local MLAs, mayors and representatives from Unifor to join him, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology Bruce Ralston and Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson, to meet and hear first-hand the impact of the case, and how to best work together to protect the workers that depend on this industry.

The roundtable is the latest in a series of initiatives, including two teleconference consultations with federal government officials in Ottawa and at Canada's embassy in Washington, to support Canada's efforts to overturn the tariff.

“I want these workers, their families, and their communities to know we are standing shoulder to shoulder, fighting for their jobs and their livelihoods,” said Ralston. “Catalyst Paper supports thousands of jobs on B.C.’s coast, and that’s why we need to work closely with all of our partners, including the federal government to ensure this issue remains a priority.”

“We thank the Government of British Columbia and the opposition parties for their support in calling for an end to these unfair and punitive duties,” said Ned Dwyer, president and CEO of Catalyst Paper. “This unwarranted trade action comes at a challenging time for Catalyst. With fibre supply issues and other rising input costs, these duties further impact our competitiveness and we will continue to defend our company and our employees against them.”

Catalyst Paper is B.C.’s only producer of newsprint, manufactured at mills in Crofton, Port Alberni and Powell River. Catalyst Paper’s B.C. operations support 6,200 jobs (1,200 direct and 5,000 indirect) and create a $2-billion annual economic impact.

Quick Facts:

• In March 2018, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 22.16% on Catalyst Paper’s newsprint paper exports to the U.S.
• With the 6.09% preliminary countervailing duty already in place, Catalyst Paper is now facing combined duties of 28.25%.
• The U.S. Department of Commerce is scheduled to announce the final determination in this investigation in August 2018.
• The total value of B.C. exports of newsprint to the U.S. was $258 million in 2016.