Canadian officials have new leverage as they urge Washington to negotiate a solution to the long-standing dispute over U.S. duties on softwood lumber, Canada’s ambassador to the United States said Thursday.  Kirsten Hillman told a British Columbia forest industry conference that record-high lumber prices could affect U.S. President Joe Biden’s ability to fulfil his pandemic recovery goals, which include building more affordable, environmentally friendly housing.  The U.S. produces about 70 per cent of the softwood lumber it needs, she said, and Canadian exports make up the vast majority of ...