“We are especially pleased to see the
measure to compensate users of drywall
in the reconstruction of Fort McMurray
after the terrible impact of the wildfires of
last summer. We were the first to recom-
mend a support program for Fort McMur-
ray in October last year and are pleased to
see this program help support those af-
fected.” As well, CertainTeed said in a state-
ment that the company fully supports the
federal government’s decision to assist
Canadian contractors who are locked into
long-term contracts committed before
September 2016. “CertainTeed informed
all its customers that it had filed its anti-
dumping complaint in early May 2016 and
advised that customers inform them-
selves on the process and the potential
implications,” the news release said.

“CertainTeed has maintained a strong
commitment to Canada since 1929, and is
the only manufacturer to have kept all
western Canadian plants and operations
open, while U.S. companies have closed
theirs following the financial crisis in 2008
and downturn in the U.S. housing market
and construction activity,” the company
said. “However, the viability of these op-
erations and the jobs at these western
Canadian plants has been under signifi-
cant threat over the last few years result-
ing in down shifting and job losses, due
to the injury from U.S. importer drywall
dumping.” “Since the government’s ruling for the
imposition of duties on U.S. imports, we
have increased hiring at our western
plants and re-established shifts which
were cut over recent years due to domes-
tic share loss,” Walker said. “We are re-
building our western operations to return
to sustained drywall production and are
confident that over the coming months
we will be able to increase domestic sup-
ply to meet customer demand.”
“During the case, CertainTeed Gypsum
Canada appreciated the proactive and
strong support of the Boilermakers Union.

We are very happy that following the rul-
ings of the case, we can now increase hir-
ing at our western plants for its members
and re-establish shifts,” he said.

CertainTeed says it is the only remain-
ing drywall manufacturer in western
Canada. It has plants in Vancouver, Cal-
gary and Winnipeg, and at two gypsum
quarries in B.C. and Manitoba.

The Canadian Design and Construction Report — June 2017 – 11