Information Note of Supply-Build Canada’s Advocacy Trip to D.C.

Purpose:

To brief members on Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy efforts in D.C. regarding duties and tariffs placed on Canadian softwood lumber.

Executive Summary:

On July 21st and 22nd Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy team[1] traveled to D.C. for their fourth U.S. trip to advocate on behalf of Canada’s lumber industry. The objective was to continue to educate key Congressional committees and member offices on the importance of the use of Canadian lumber in U.S. homebuilding, and the impact that duties and tariffs have on U.S. affordability. With home affordability and housing supply being the top political issue in the U.S. going into mid-terms, Supply-Build Canada hopes to encourage both the U.S. and the Canadian government to resolve the softwood lumber dispute. Furthermore, Supply-Build Canada met with like-minded U.S. based organizations to collaborate. The outcome was that Supply-Build Canada affordability message was well received by both Democrats and Republicans, and positive progress was made to collaborate with U.S. organizations.

Background:

• In 2025 the U.S. raised Countervailing Duties (CVD) and Anti-Dumping (AD) duties on Canadian softwood lumber to a combined 35.16%, and added a 10% section 232 tariff for a total duty/tariff rate of 45.16%.
• The elevated duty/tariff rates are unsustainable for Canadian producers, and U.S. importers who use Canadian lumber to build.
• High duty/tariff rates have forced Canadian and American mills to close or curtail production, and has slowed U.S. homebuilding.
• For decades a coalition of U.S. lumber producers have vocally opposed Canadian softwood lumber exports, and provides the White House, Congress, and U.S. government agencies with misinformation about Canada’s lumber industry. As a result, many U.S. policymakers only hear one perspective.
• In February 2026, Supply-Build Canada focused its advocacy efforts to combat misinformation, and to educate Congress on the different species and application of the lumber species.
• After the last D.C. advocacy trip Supply-Build Canada saw an opportunity to strengthen our messaging by having Americans-talk-to-Americans about the importance of Canadian lumber.

Current Situation:

• Supply-Build Canada’s fourth trip to D.C. was to continue to focus on educating the offices of Congress on the importance of Canadian lumber for U.S. housing affordability, and the different types of lumber used in the homebuilding process (i.e., Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) which is mostly produced in Canada and Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) which is only produced in the U.S.).
• Meetings were held with Senate and House of Representative offices.[2]
• Supply-Build Canada’s delegation met with like-minded organizations who recognize the increase costs tariffs add to homebuilding.[3]
• Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy delegation met with the Canadian Embassy staff to brief them about key information gathered from our meetings.
• Currently, the coalition of U.S. lumber producers and high duty/tariff rates continue to drive the narrative that Canadian lumber exports are a threat to the U.S. lumber industry, and not needed for U.S. homebuilding.
• The governments of Canada and the U.S. are entering trade negotiations. A solution to the softwood lumber trade dispute must be part of those conversations.

Key Takeaways/Analysis:

• Supply-Build Canada’s messaging of the importance of Canadian lumber to US affordability and homebuilding was well received, and it was acknowledged that Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy timing is good as affordability is a key issue for U.S. midterm elections.
• Many Congressional offices were unaware of the difference between SPF and SYP, the importance of Canadian lumber to U.S. homebuilding; and are eager to learn more.
• There was interest in receiving additional information on Canadian softwood and how it contributes to U.S. homebuilding affordability.
• There was an understanding that the building materials industry consists of a North American market with North American supply chains. Increased tariffs on building materials make building more expensive.
• There was stronger consensus among Congressional offices that CUSMA renewal is important, and has bi-partisan support in Congress.
• The Canadian Embassy was appreciative of Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy efforts.
• U.S. organizations, such as NAHB, NLBMDA, and Home Depot USA shared tariff frustrations, and expressed interest in collaboration on Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy efforts.

Next Steps:

• Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy efforts continue to be timely and address an important U.S. issue. Supply-Build Canada is planning another D.C. trip later this year with lumber industry leaders to meet with more Congressional offices, and U.S. agencies.
• To further educate U.S. policymakers Supply-Build Canada has implemented an educational email campaign about softwood lumber to remain in contact with U.S. officials.
• Supply-Build Canada has created a pictograph to demonstrate the preferred uses of SPF and SYP in U.S. homebuilding.

Annex A:

List of Meetings:

• National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA)
• National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)
• Home Depot USA
• Office of Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)
• Office of Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)
• Office of Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ)
• Ontario’s Representative in D.C.
• Office of Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY)
• Office of Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
• Office of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
• Office of Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ)
• Office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
• Canadian Embassy Trade Team

Annex B:

Supply-Build Canada’s Advocacy Delegation:

• Liz Kovach, President, Supply-Build Canada
• Jay Dion, Policy Analyst, Supply-Build Canada
• Kim Haakstad, President and CEO of BC Council of Forest Industries
• Ian Dunn, President & CEO of the Ontario Forest Industries Association
• Jason Kripps, President and CEO of the Alberta Forest Products Association
• Matt Delaney, Government Affairs Coordinator at the National Lumber & Building Materials Dealers Association
• David Richey, Chief Executive Public Officer, Resource Public Affairs
• Julia Baechli, Associate, Elevate Government Affairs