A British Columbia M-P says some softwood lumber companies could begin issuing layoff notices as early as next week following word of punishing new U-S tariffs. Conservative M-P Todd Doherty calls it a “dark day” and says several small and medium-sized businesses are already considering what steps to take as early as Monday. The U-S Department of Commerce has said it would subject Canadian lumber imports to tariffs ranging from three to 24 per cent. Most of Canada’s softwood operators, which are small and medium-sized businesses, must also pay duties retroactively on any shipments made to the U-S since February 1st, while the largest companies are exempt.