GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. — Lumber companies are already bracing for the worst following the latest round of tariffs slapped on Canadian lumber by the U.S.

"It’s really going to mean we have to totally reassess our business and see where we go from here," says Grande Prairie-area general manager of Canfor, Chris Andersen.

The latest duty, a 12.6 anti-dumping penalty slapped on Canadian lumber is in addition to the 19.3 per cent tariff imposed in the spring. That brings the total to around 32 per cent.

Andersen says it will take between a week and 10 days before companies will have the opportunity to decide their next course of action.

"I don’t think, on an ongoing basis, there’s an operation in Western Canada that can sustain (the added charges) at today’s market prices," he adds.

Meanwhile, forestry analyst, Charles Widman, says that Canada has no choice but to work out an agreement with the U.S. to save the industry. He claims that two-thirds of Canada’s lumber exports go to the U.S. and overseas, countries are getting their wood elsewhere.