Tribunal Initiates Inquiry—Decorative and Other Non‑Structural Plywood from China

Ottawa, Ontario, June 12, 2020—The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today initiated a preliminary injury inquiry into a complaint by Columbia Forest Products of Hearst, Ontario, Husky Plywood of Sainte‑Thérèse, Québec, Rockshield Engineered Wood Products ULC of Cochrane, Ontario, and the Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association of Saint-Sauveur, Québec, that they have suffered injury as a result of the dumping and subsidizing of decorative and other non-structural plywood from the People’s Republic of China. The Tribunal’s inquiry is conducted pursuant to the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) as a result of the initiation of dumping and subsidizing investigations by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

On August 10, 2020, the Tribunal will determine whether there is a reasonable indication that the alleged dumping and subsidizing have caused injury or retardation, or are threatening to cause injury, as these words are defined in SIMA. If so, the CBSA will continue its investigations and, by September 9, 2020, will make preliminary determinations. If these preliminary determinations indicate that there has been dumping or subsidizing, the CBSA will then continue its investigations and, concurrently, the Tribunal will initiate a final injury inquiry.

The Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial body that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. It hears cases on dumped and subsidized imports, safeguard complaints, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals of customs and excise tax rulings. When requested by the federal government, the Tribunal also provides advice on other economic, trade and tariff matters.

Any interested person, association or government that wishes to participate in the Tribunal’s inquiry may do so by filing a Notice of Participation.