Quebecers protest U.S. softwood lumber tax, hope to send 'strong message'

More than 1500 people gathered in theLac-Saint-Jeanareato denounce the new Americantax on softwood lumber, Sunday afternoon.

Citizens and politiciansmarched in the northern Quebec town ofDolbeau-Mistassini to protest the Trump administration's imposed tariffs of up to24 per cent on Canadian softwood lumber imports.

• Quebec vows to protect forestry industry against 'unjustified' U.S. tax on softwood lumber

Canadian lumber imports are expected to face new dutiesstarting next week, after a U.S. CommerceDepartment investigation released last Mondayconcluded that softwood lumber imports are unfairly subsidized.

Roughly 90 per cent of the province's lumber exports head to the U.S. and the forestry sector accounts for 60,000 jobs in Quebec.

Quebec PremierPhilippeCouillardattended themarch, along withLac-Saint-JeanConservative MP Denis Lebeland Dolbeau-MistassiniMayor RichardHbert.

Hbertsaid he hopes to "send a strong message to the concerned authorities."

Dolbeau-Mistassini, home to a sawmill and pulp and paper plant, is one of many communities in Quebec that rely on the lumber industry.

The two countries' dispute over softwood lumber goes back years, butNatural Resources Minister Jim Carr told CBC this week that he's hopeful a long-term deal can be reached.

Carr says reaching a newdeal is the best option, even as he repeats his warning that jobs will be lost as a result ofthe U.S. lumber industry's lobbying for new duties on Canadian imports.

• Trudeau has 'window' to settle softwood dispute before NAFTA talks: Raymond Chrtien

The president oftheSyndicat des Mtallosunion,AlainCroteau, says he's concerned this move could put local jobs at risk and even lead to layoffs.

Croteau said he'd like to see the federalgovernment step in to help any lumber workers who might be affected going forward by providing immediate unemployment insurance and vocational training.