A Canadian woodworker has publicly accused the nation's state broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), of abruptly cancelling a planned interview with him because he declined to support a narrative critical of former US President Donald Trump.
The Interview That Fizzled Out
James Steidle, a woodworker based in British Columbia, detailed his experience in a piece for the Prince George Citizen News titled, 'How my proposed CBC interview fizzled out over facts.' The incident began on October 14, when Steidle participated in a pre-interview discussion with a producer from the taxpayer-funded CBC.
The producer was seeking commentary on Trump's latest tariffs on Canadian wood products. As the owner of a small woodworking business that previously exported to the US, Steidle was initially happy to provide his perspective. However, he claims the producer's interest quickly waned when Steidle began to explain that his primary concern was not Trump's policies.
A Clash of Narratives
Instead of focusing on the tariffs, Steidle intended to condemn the influx of cheap offshore wood products from countries like China and through sellers like Amazon, which he sees as a greater threat to his business. He also pointed out to the producer that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau imposed tariffs on furniture from Vietnam and China in 2021, a point the producer seemed reluctant to explore.
Steidle recounted that the producer's tone became audibly unenthused, telling him, "I hear your argument. But that's for another show." The conversation reportedly concluded soon after Steidle revealed he no longer exports to the United States. Steidle believes this was the 'out' the producer was looking for, allowing him to hang up and "presumably find someone else to say what he wanted them to say."
Accusations of Propaganda and Industry Consequences
Following the cancelled interview, Steidle observed that the CBC instead interviewed a lobbyist for the forest industry. He accused the broadcaster of promoting "taxpayer-funded propaganda" rather than practising journalism. He questioned why the CBC would not share both sides of the tariff story, suggesting it was because "it would validate some of Donald Trump's ideas." He concluded his piece by urging the CBC to "try doing some journalism."
The backdrop to this story is a significant trade challenge. In September, President Trump added a 10 percent tariff on Canadian lumber, on top of an existing 35 percent duty. In response, Canadian producers are diverting roughly 10 percent of the lumber normally sent to the US to new global markets. Ravi Parmar, British Columbia's forestry minister, believes this lumber could build at least 75,000 average-size American homes and has expressed confidence that the US will revert to its old lumber arrangement due to emerging supply gaps.
The CBC did not provide a statement to the Daily Mail when contacted for comment on the allegations.
