| This thesis is an investigation of the relationship between the softwood lumber trade and unemployment in Canada. Between 2003 and 2009 over 44,000 softwood lumber employees were laid off which decimated many of softwood lumber dependent communities. These workers represent a new population of individuals facing economic difficulties, yet very little literature exists that discusses the connection between the problems in the softwood lumber industry, unemployment and poverty. To date the literature on softwood lumber has focused largely on a series of trade disputes between the United States and Canada. This thesis focuses on the broader factors that have exacerbated employment problems and raised the spectre of impoverishment in forest dependent communities. Overall, factors such as the high Canadian dollar, the financial crisis and new competition have had a much greater impact on employment trends in the sub-sector than US protectionism and the legacy of the trade disputes. |
