Mr. Chair, I am sharing my time with the member for Nipissing—Timiskaming.
Canada and the United States have shared one of the most successful trading relationships in the world. Our economies, supply chains and workers thrive when trade flows freely under CUSMA, yet even the closest of partners encounter trade challenges. From aluminum and steel to energy and critical minerals, one issue continues to stand out: The persistent and deeply frustrating softwood lumber dispute that has resurfaced too often over the past several decades.
We are now in the fifth chapter of this dispute since the 1980s, and the cycle is familiar: The U.S. imposes unfair duties, Canada challenges them, and time and time again, independent panels agree with us. History shows that both countries benefit most when we reach a negotiated solution that restores stability and predictability for the sector.
Today, we are again deep in active litigation. Canada is vigorously defending the interests of our workers, communities and world-class producers. This round carries an even heavier burden, as our industry faces not only anti-dumping and countervailing duties but also U.S. section 232, national security tariffs on wood products.
These measures have real consequences. Softwood lumber is a cornerstone of Canada's forest sector and a vital economic anchor for many rural and northern communities. It supports thousands of well-paying jobs and contributes billions to our economy. With nearly two-thirds of our softwood lumber destined for export, and the U.S. as our largest market, unfair barriers hurt not just companies but the families and towns that rely on this industry.
Our government understands these impacts. We have stood with the sector every step of the way, providing targeted support to workers and producers and mounting a coordinated legal and diplomatic response. Canada's legal strategy is strong and united. In close partnership with provinces and industry, we are pursuing 15 active challenges to U.S. duties across multiple venues, including chapter 10 of CUSMA, chapter 19 of NAFTA , the WTO and the U.S. Court of International Trade. These mechanisms have served us well before, and we remain confident that they will again affirm Canada as a fair and principled trading partner.
We have already secured important wins. In 2019, a WTO panel found that the United States used improper methods to calculate anti-dumping duties. In 2020, another ruling overwhelmingly supported Canada's position on countervailing duties. More recent NAFTA panels have identified significant flaws in the U.S. approach and non-compliance with its own laws. Additional decisions, including under CUSMA, are expected in the months ahead. Some of these might result in refunds of duty deposits, offering real relief to Canadian producers.
Even as litigation proceeds, Canada remains committed to constructive engagement with our American counterparts. The minister is in regular contact with Secretary Lutnick to emphasize the need for a durable, mutually beneficial outcome, and the Prime Minister has raised this directly with the President.
Until a lasting agreement is reached, Canada will keep up the pressure. We will fight unfair measures through every legal and diplomatic tool; we will stand with our workers and communities, and we will continue to insist on a fair, predictable trading framework that allows our softwood lumber industry to compete and thrive. That is our government's commitment, and we will deliver it.