Ottawa’s new steel sector support leaves Hamilton steelworkers cautiously optimistic

Ottawa’s efforts to help uplift the steel industry has some steelworkers in Hamilton cautiously optimistic.

Union representatives that spoke with CHCH News said Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new support is a “positive first step”, but in order to keep work in the factories, they need to see Canadian customers buying domestic steel.

Carney says Ottawa will shell out $70 million to provide employment insurance and the retraining of up to 10,000 steelworkers.

There is also a $1 billion package to help companies move forward with their projects, and prioritize Canadian steel in those projects.

The union representing Stelco workers says so far, there haven’t been any layoffs, but operations saw a bit of a reduction.

They’re hoping the steel orders start ramping up soon.

“It probably takes some of the pressure off,” said Ron Wells, the president of the United Steelworkers Local 1005. “We’re hoping that Stelco picks up orders with this announcement, hopefully Canadian customers start buying Canadian made steel.”

“We’ve already got a commitment from utilizing Canadian-made steel infrastructure projects,” said John Catto, an area coordinator with the United Steelworkers. “We’d like to see that same commitment from the provincial governments and municipal governments as well.”

“You don’t have a nation without a steel industry, right, and we want to maintain our steel industry here and in Canada,” said Catto.

Hamilton mayor Andrea Horwath sent out a statement Wednesday afternoon, lauding Carney’s announcement, saying the new support for Canadian projects will, “help stabilize our local industry, protect good-paying jobs, and secure Hamilton’s role in building Canada’s future.”

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