CertainTeed Gypsum
Canada reinvests in
domestic manufacturing
as contractors file
remission claims for
anti-dumping tariffs
Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
The decision to impose anti-dump-
ing tariffs on U.S. drywall has spurred
an increase in manufacturing volume
by CertainTeed Gypsum Canada, as
contractors and Fort McMurray resi-
dents affected by significant price in-
creases took advantage of remission
opportunities through the federal gov-
ernment’s Drywall Support program.

CertainTeed filed the anti-dumping
complaint against U.S. dumped im-
ports of drywall in western Canada a
bit more than a year ago “to establish
fair competition for Canadian manu-
10 – June 2017 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
facturers and preserve Canadian
jobs,” the company said in a news re-
lease. On May 1, Western Economic Di-
versification Canada announced the
Drywall Support Program. The pro-
gram, which continued through May
31, provides relief to western and
northern Canadian drywall contrac-
tors and builders, as well as residents
of the Regional Municipality of Wood
Buffalo, following the duties imposed
on U.S. imported drywall.

The program follows a lengthy
legal process which saw Canadian In-
ternational Trade Tribunal issue find-
ings on Jan. 4, 2017 followed by
recommendations on public interest
issues and its statement of Reasons
on Jan. 19. On February 27, the min-
ister of finance announced his deci-
sion on the public interest issues and
issued the Gypsum Board Products
Anti-Dumping Duty Remission Order.

The investigations, evaluations and
findings of the CBSA and Canadian In-
ternational Trade Tribunal for this com-
plaint confirmed
CertainTeed’s argument that there was significant
U..S importer dumping at material
dumping margins of 95 to 200 per
cent which was injuring and threaten-
ing to domestic manufacturers.

“CertainTeed Gypsum Canada fully
agrees with and supports the minis-
ter’s announcement of relief meas-
ures to support the western drywall
industry’s transition to the duties,”
said general manager Matt Walker.