Canadian Tariff MOF Statement

February 27, 2017

CertainTeed Gypsum Canada Statement Regarding the Minister of Finance Drywall Dumping Announcement

Fort McMurray, Alberta: CertainTeed Gypsum Canada today issued the following statement in response to Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s announcement regarding anti-dumping duties on imports of drywall, and their impact on Western Canadians.

“CertainTeed Gypsum Canada fully agrees with and supports the Minister’s announcement of measures to compensate users of drywall in the reconstruction of Fort McMurray after the terrible impact of the wildfires of last summer. CertainTeed proposed measures to exclude Fort McMurray from antidumping duties to the government last October.

We also support the Minister’s decision to assist Canadian contractors who are locked into long term contracts committed before they were aware of this case. CertainTeed also proposed measures to address the circumstances of contractors last October and is gratified to see that the concerns of contractors have been addressed.

This anti-dumping case has always been about Canadian jobs, and free and fair trade. The Canada Border Services Agency found that US companies had been selling drywall into Western Canada at dumped, i.e. unfairly-traded, prices. The CBSA found that the level of unfair trading, by US companies was very significant. An independent tribunal – the Canadian International Trade Tribunal - confirmed that CertainTeed had been materially injured, which resulted in job losses and depressed investment in the Western Canadian drywall manufacturing industry.

The details of the Minister of Finance’s decision – and in particular the duty reduction -- will require careful review. We appreciate the commitment and patience of our loyal customers in Western Canada, who have supported CertainTeed Gypsum Canada’s efforts to defend the Canadian drywall industry, and we will continue to work closely with them after our review on the implementation of the remission order and how it may impact the market going forward. We have also appreciated all the endeavours of the Boilermakers Union to raise and promote the concerns of their members. Canadian jobs and the restoration of investment in domestic drywall manufacturing are at stake.”