Canadian Pulp and Paper in World Trade

Canada still commands a major position in two key world pulp and paper products which come from our softwood forest resource — newsprint and woodpulp. In 1977 Canada produced 40% of the newsprint and 30% of the softwood bleached kraft used in the free world. Fine papers, linerboard and tissue grades of paper are made chiefly for the domestic market and are all tariff protected.After 30 years of excellent growth, the future prospects for the Canadian pulp and paper industry are clouded by: slower world demand for paper and board, increased self-sufficiency for newsprint and pulp in many of Canada's key markets, continuing trends to substitution of cheaper pulp fibres for the more expensive softwood bleached kraft pulp, the cornerstone of Canada's pulp industry.