The B.C. government91裸聊视频檚 move to restructure Catalyst Paper91裸聊视频檚 pension obligations is only the start of a long-term restructuring of the forest industry, Premier John Horgan says.

The immediate threat is the imposition of anti-dumping duties totalling 22 per cent that took effect in April, which Horgan called 91裸聊视频渁n assault on our industries91裸聊视频� and unfair trade practices by the U.S.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e been meeting with Catalyst and the communities they operate in, Powell River, Crofton, North Cowichan and Port Alberni, since April when we held a conference here with local MLAs,91裸聊视频� Horgan told reporters at the B.C. legislature Monday.

91裸聊视频淏ut there are also underlying issues when it comes to pulp production in British Columbia, and the primary issue is access to fibre. As we91裸聊视频檝e seen an increase in the export of raw logs, as we91裸聊视频檝e seen a decline in the number of sawmills, which means there are fewer chips, there91裸聊视频檚 less feedstock for the pulp sector. That91裸聊视频檚 one of the fundamental issues that existed prior to the tariff question coming forward.91裸聊视频�

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Horgan said the regulation change made Friday to extend Catalyst91裸聊视频檚 time to pay off a pension funding shortfall is designed to prevent a scenario faced by Sears employees in B.C. 91裸聊视频渨ho went to the bottom of the line when it came to addressing receivership.91裸聊视频�

Keeping pulp and paper mills from meeting a similar fate, as they struggle with the latest round of anti-dumping duties that protect U.S. mills from Canadian competition, is the immediate task. The latest duties target uncoated paper such as newsprint, and has raised protests from U.S. newspaper companies that it is pushing their costs higher.

B.C. trade officials expect that with the deteriorating trade relationship with the U.S. in recent months, tariffs on paper products could go even higher, up to 28.5 per cent, as early as August.

Catalyst moved in June to sell its U.S. mills to Nine Dragons Paper Ltd., a Hong Kong company. Catalyst indicated the sale eases the company91裸聊视频檚 debt position and allows it to focus on its B.C. operations, which employ 1,500 people.