The forestry sector is highly integrated. We've talked about that. In addition, homebuilding markets on both sides of the border remain soft, and pricing is depressed despite pent-up demand and a housing affordability crisis.
In the last month, we have seen sawmills in Gogama, Nairn Centre, Ignace and Atikokan announce curtailments and extended downtime around the Christmas holidays. Two weeks ago, the Ear Falls sawmill announced that it would be indefinitely curtailing its operations, affecting 150 jobs in a community of 1,000 people. That's 15% of that community that has been laid off. If 15% of the people in the city of Toronto were laid off, that would be half a million people. Since 2001, we've seen direct employment in the saw wood sector in Ontario go from 28,000 to 17,000. With a combined 45% duty and tariff rate on lumber and other exports, we anticipate further curtailments will be announced.
That brings me to point number three. There needs to be a settlement of the ongoing lumber dispute, section 232 tariffs, and adequate support measures. There has never been a greater sense of urgency to resolve this dispute for all the workers, families and communities who have paid the price for inaction on this file.
Forestry products cannot be left behind when negotiating with the United States, and we need adequate support measures in place to keep mills open during this crisis. This is a national industry, and I applaud Premier Eby's leadership on the lumber dispute and organizing this week's lumber summit with Minister LeBlanc, but this has to be a united front, with every province and premier at the table. This is a national industry with regional representation, and it deserves a national response.
Finally, point four is that we can be global leaders in making sustainable forest products once again. The U.S. is targeting us because its industry cannot compete with ours. This competitive edge is reflected by massive private sector investments coming into Ontario's forest products sector—$7.6 billion in capital and repair expenditures between 2012 and 2022. Many of these investments come from American companies.
Our industry is also looking at new markets, but, of course, the best customer that we have is ourselves. Ontario has a target of building 1.5 million homes by 2031, and we can supply construction materials, leveraging Ontario's advanced wood products sector. We can also power our economy using wood-based energy systems, be it district heating, transportation fuels, biochar for steelmaking, or forced biomass electrical generation. Ontario needs 75% more electricity by 2050, and forced biomass can provide a sustainable, low-carbon solution while reducing the risk of wildfire.
The unique wood fibre from northern Canada is a premium product, and we can attract multi-billion dollar investments in the pulping and bioeconomy sectors. This is our moment, and we're counting on you. To protect jobs, restore stability and unlock a sustainable future, we need urgent action on trade, on support and on seizing the opportunity right in front of us.
Thank you.