British Columbia has established the B.C. Softwood Lumber Advisory Council to address the ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the United States. The council, which held its first meeting on January 30, 2025, will provide recommendations to the Minister of Forests on reducing the 14.4% duties imposed on B.C. lumber. It will also support provincial efforts to advocate for federal action. The province exported over $3.3 billion in softwood lumber to the U.S. in 2023, according to the B.C. government.

The council includes leaders from the forestry sector and labor organizations, alongside experts in U.S. relations. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar, who chairs the council, stated that the U.S. duties could double by the end of 2025. He emphasized B.C.'s commitment to fighting these tariffs, which have been in place since 2017 following the expiry of the Softwood Lumber Agreement in 2015.

B.C. softwood lumber accounted for nearly 10% of the lumber used in American home construction in 2023. Canada remains the U.S.'s largest supplier of forest products, making up 44% of total U.S. imports last year. The B.C. government argues that past trade panels have consistently ruled in Canada's favor, affirming that the province's forest policies comply with international agreements.