CANADA (News release) -- Canada and China have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation on modern wood construction as part of their new strategic and economic partnership, according to the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.

The memorandum involves the Department of Natural Resources of Canada, the Ministry of Forests of the Province of British Columbia, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China. The agreement will strengthen technical exchanges and cooperation in modern wood construction.

The memorandum is part of the Canada-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap announced during Prime Minister Mark Carney's official visit to Beijing in January 2026. The roadmap sets commitments to advance sustainable and low-carbon trade, including cooperation in forestry and wood construction.

Canada ranked as the third-largest supplier of softwood lumber to China in January-November 2025, exporting a total of 942.7 thousand m3 over the eleven-month period. Russia remained the dominant supplier with 9,450.3 thousand m3, accounting for nearly 70% of China's total softwood lumber imports, while Belarus followed with 992.0 thousand m3. Canadian shipments to China fluctuated through the year, peaking at 102.5 thousand m3 in September and maintaining consistent volumes above 90 thousand m3 in the final quarter. Compared with Finland (384.1 thousand m3) and Sweden (333.4 thousand m3), Canada's position reflected its stable role as a key secondary supplier to the Chinese market. Overall, Canada supplied about 7% of China's total softwood lumber imports through November.