The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) recently met with Ambassador Raymond Chrétien and a government delegation from Québec in Washington, D.C. to discuss softwood lumber negotiations. Ambassador Chrétien served as the Canadian ambassador to the United States from 1994 to 2000 during the Clinton Administration and is now Québec’s chief negotiator on softwood lumber.

The association representatives felt positive about the meeting and issued a statement afterward:

“NLBMDA hosted a productive meeting this week with Ambassador Chrétien to discuss the status of softwood lumber negotiations between the U.S. and Canada,” said NLBMDA president and CEO Jonathan Paine. “As supply chain disruptions and affordable housing challenges continue to persist, NLBMDA reiterated its support for a long-term softwood lumber agreement that brings stability to the pricing and availability of softwood lumber. NLBMDA remains committed to working with government officials and stakeholders on both sides of the border to reach a fair agreement that will help resolve the ongoing supply chain challenges impacting LBM dealers and residential construction. NLBMDA would like to thank Ambassador Chrétien and the entire Québec delegation for their visit and we look forward to continued dialogue in the future.”