Ford slams Stelco owner while announcing support for Ontario workers

The province has announced $70 million in financial support Wednesday for Ontario workers affected by U.S. tariffs and policies.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the funds are intended to go to Protect Ontario Worker Employment Response (POWER) Centres and Better Jobs Ontario.

This comes a day after the U.S. Commerce Department announced that it will increase the 50 per cent tariffs on aluminum and steel to include 407 more categories.

POWER Centres provide training, support and unemployment assistance for workers who have lost their jobs.

“I don’t even like saying losing your job. I wanna say there’s going to be new opportunities for more jobs here,” Ford said during a press conference in Hamilton.

Ford says he is hoping to encourage Canadian steel and aluminum companies to manufacture I-beams, aluminum cans, steel beams and other items that will support Ontario infrastructure.

The premier specifically pointed to Algoma Steel as a company that can produce beams that Ford is hoping to use for rail projects including Hamilton’s LRT. Saying he has confirmed the Federal government will use Algoma-made steel for projects.

Ford was joined by leaders in the Steelworkers union, the minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development.

The premier also expressed his extreme displeasure with Cleveland Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves. The company is the current owner of Stelco and Goncalves has expressed his strong support for US tariffs on Canadian steel. “I’ve got a problem with that guy,” Ford said. “Remember Stelco workers, when your owner comes prancing through the place, he doesn’t support you.”

WATCH MORE: Former QP correspondent speaks about CUSMA, tariffs, Carney’s nation-building projects