Minister Morneau Announces Relief for Fort McMurray Families and Western Canadian Entrepreneurs
News Release
February 27, 2017 – Fort McMurray, Alberta – Department of Finance Canada
The Government of Canada is committed to helping the residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta, rebuild following the devastating wildfires, and to protecting middle class jobs by ensuring fairness for entrepreneurs in Western Canada.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau joined families and community leaders in Fort McMurray today to announce that the Government of Canada is taking action to help Western Canadians affected by the exceptional price increases and supply shortages of building materials due to anti-dumping duties imposed on imported drywall from the United States.
Minister Morneau confirmed the Government has reduced anti-dumping duties on imported drywall from the U.S. into Western Canada by lowering the minimum import prices by more than 32 per cent.
In addition, the Government will use the approximately $12 million in anti-dumping duties collected between September 2016 and January 2017 to provide specific monetary relief for Fort McMurray residents who are rebuilding their homes as a result of last year's wildfires, as well as builders and contractors in Western Canada adversely affected by higher drywall costs.
Today's announcement responds to recommendations from the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT), which found that the full amount of the anti-dumping duties on imported drywall from the United States was leaving businesses that use drywall with fewer choices, leading to potential supply shortages in Western Canada and harming consumers.
The duty reduction is intended to maintain competitive conditions in the Western Canadian drywall market and reduce potential supply shortages, while ensuring a reasonable return on sales for domestic producers.
Quotes
"When it comes to rebuilding a community there is no time to lose. I was pleased to see first-hand the progress being made by the people of Fort McMurray less than a year after the wildfires. And I am doubly pleased we are able to offer help directly to the families rebuilding their homes in this city, and to the thousands of hard-working entrepreneurs across Western Canada who create middle class jobs and support their own communities in so many ways."
- Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance
Quick Facts
- In October 2016, Minister Morneau took unprecedented action to fast-track the CITT's review process by up to 12 months by asking the Tribunal to consider the public interest immediately, rather than after their initial ruling.
- The Government of Canada provided approximately $300 million to Alberta through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program in July 2016.
- The Government of Canada matched donations made by individuals to the Canadian Red Cross between May 3 and May 31, 2016, in support of the Fort McMurray relief effort.
Associated Links
Contacts
Annie Donolo
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance
annie.donolo@canada.ca
613-769-7187
Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca
613-369-4000
General enquiries
Phone: 613-369-3710
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca
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