Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty is travelling to Washington, D.C. this week to talk about softwood lumber, NAFTA, the environment and defence spending.
As co-chair of the Conservative Softwood Lumber Taskforce and the region's MP, Doherty said he plans to meet with more than 30 U.S. lawmakers during the next three days.
“This week’s trip to Washington presents an opportunity to talk about the issues that matter the most to Canadians, including softwood lumber, NAFTA, the environment and defence spending," Doherty said. "I know that the hardworking forestry families in my riding of Cariboo – Prince George are looking for answers on how the lumber industry will remain competitive with US tariffs expected as early as the spring.”
The meetings are an important step in building relationships with American counterparts, he added.
"We are seeing a willingness on both sides to work together to reach a consensus on some of these issues."
Canada has been without a Softwood Lumber Agreement for the better part of a year-and-a-half, Doherty noted.
"Prime Minister Trudeau failed to make this a priority when he first took office, and the Liberal Government has been playing catch up ever since," he said. "Canadians are getting tired of waiting for answers.”