SCOUDOUC, N.B. – The head of a group that speaks for woodlot owners in southeastern New Brunswick says the low Canadian dollar has been good for business.
Marcel Maillet is the general manager for South East New Brunswick Forest Products Marketing Board and says with the Canadian dollar just under 82 cents against the U.S. dollar, exports are doing well.
“Most of our mills that we sell wood to that produce lumber the bulk of their markets are in the U.S. and they’re exported,” he said. “When the Canadian dollar is down it’s a good thing for them on the lumber side and it’s good for us.”
Maillet noted this is also a busy time for harvesters.
“A fair amount of harvesting takes place because your ground is frozen up and it allows you to get to places you normally couldn’t get to in the summer and the fall,” he said.
Woodlot owners aren’t the only ones benefiting from the weak Loonie.
Pierre DuPuis speaks for Moncton Industrial Development and says manufacturers and exporters who do business with Americans are also doing well.
“Obviously anyone who’s selling down in the U.S. is definitely gives them a competitive advantage that they can build on,” he said.
But there is a downside and it’s costing some businesses thousands.
Business owners in the area say they’re having to pay more for large expensive items coming from the United States.
“When you rely on equipment or raw materials based in the U.S. definitely you’re going to be paying more,” DuPuis said.
Maillet says the low dollar could also have a poor impact on mill operators.
“Let’s say their equipment comes from the U.S. and they’ve got to bring in parts or whatever,” he said. “The low dollar is good to a point.”
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