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 September 29th and 30th Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy team[1] traveled to D.C. for their fifth 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 midterms elections, Supply-Build Canada hopes to encourage both the U.S. and the Canadian governments to resolve the softwood lumber and the broader trade dispute. The outcome was that Supply-Build Canada affordability message was well received by both Democrats and Republicans, and the Canadian Embassy expressed the importance of industry representing themselves in D.C. as it demonstrates to the Government of Canada that the industry is taking action.

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%.
• In September 2026, trade Canada-U.S. trade negotiations stalled and additional tariffs and counter-tariffs were placed on wood products further increasing construction costs.
• 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 July 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. This trip included having Americans join in our advocacy efforts.

Current Situation:

• Supply-Build Canada’s fifth 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 also discussed the current trade relationship between Canada and the U.S., and the impacts it has on the broader North American supply chain.
• Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy delegation met with the Canadian Embassy staff.
• 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. have halted trade negotiations , implemented tariffs and counter-tariffs which has made wood products more expensive, and weakened supply in both countries.

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 will be the top issue for the 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 Supply-Build Canada’s economic impact study on softwood lumber tariffs, and how it negatively contributes to U.S. homebuilding affordability.
• There was consensus among congressional offices that 232 and 338 tariffs on Canada do not make sense, are confused with the current Canada-U.S. relationship, and many offices expressed strong support for a Canada-U.S. trade agreement.
• Democrat and Republican congressional representatives from border states expressed the value of a strong Canada-U.S. trading relationship.
• The Canadian Embassy was appreciative of Supply-Build Canada’s advocacy efforts, and expressed the importance of industry advocating for themselves in D.C.
• U.S. organizations such as NLBMDA shared tariff frustrations, and have joined 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 ahead to the U.S. midterm elections. Supply-Build Canada will continue to be in contact with congressional offices, the Canadian Embassy, and NLBMDA.
• Many congressional offices expressed interest in Supply-Build Canada’s economic impact study on the impacts that tariffs have on softwood lumber. Supply-Build Canada will distribute this study to the offices.

Annex A:

List of Meetings:

-Office of Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA)
-Office of Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY)
-Office of Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY)
-Office of Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-CA)
-Office of Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI)
-Office of Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL)
-Office of Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV)
-Office of Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY)
-Office of Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
-Office of Rep. Nick Larsen (D-WA)
-Office of Laura Freidman (D-CA)
-Office of Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)
-Office of Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
-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
• Corinne Stavness, Vice President -Government Relations and Partnerships, Western Forest Products
• 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
• David Marten, Executive Vice President, Elevate Government Affairs
• Julia Baechli, Associate, Elevate Government Affairs