Mayor joins fight against U.S.-imposed tariffs. (Timmins and Cochrane).

Timmins Mayor Jamie Lim is taking a stand in spearheading the fight against U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber exports.

At a Federation of Canadian Municipalties (FCM) directors meeting in Prince George, B.C., Lim's motion to create a grassroots taskforce to develop strategies and solutions against American punitive tariffs slapped on softwood lumber exports was accepted by delegates. The new national task force will develop lobbying strategies and give support to the federal government's and the Canadian forest industry's effort to push for fair and equitable free trade.

Joining Lim on this newly formed body are municipal politicians from Prince George, B.C.; Prince Albert, Sask., and Grand Prairie, Alta.

Speaking at the Timmins Chamber of Commerce awards dinner Sept. 12, Lim said the 19 per cent tariff will have a "devastating impact" on the Canadian lumber industry.

She expressed confidence the World Trade Organization will rule in Canada's favour, but waiting 18 months for a decision may hurt Canadian producers and the 2,264 Timmins residents employed in forestry-related jobs.

"We cannot afford to see these jobs lost because of U.S. protectionism," says Lim.

"As Canadians, we need to speak with a single voice and deliver a single message to the U.S. - we either have free trade or we have protectionism - you can not have it both ways."

Among their initial strategies will be to appeal directly to American municipalities in explaining how consumers and builders can expect increased costs with home construction.

FCM delegates fear the 19.3 per cent duty applied to Canadian lumber exports to the U.S. in August was only the beginning. In early September, U.S. Commerce Department announced in early September duty will be charged at the border, not upon entering the mill gate. They fear this could jack up the duty between 22 to 23 per cent based on the value of the lumber when it reaches the border.