Province announces funds for Hamilton tariff-impacted workers, industries

Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development was in Hamilton today saying more than $390,000 of provincial money will go towards supporting a new initiative for tariff-impacted steelworkers and industries.

It’s called the ‘Hamilton Tariff Response Team,’ and it’s been formed as hundreds of layoffs are being carried out at Stelco.

Officials say it’s a $588,000 city initiative to help the tariff-impacted businesses.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath says the team is already being assembled and it’s expected to be fully up and running in this quarter.

She says the program will help businesses find new markets and strengthen local supply chains as well as connect workers with the funding that’s available to help support their families.

Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, says the team will provide support through two streams.

“First stream will focus on delivering operational and administrative support, allowing locally affected businesses to diversify into new markets, reconfigure their supply chains and develop strategies for job retention and growth. The second stream will focus on expanding the city’s data resources, providing businesses with updated statistics and analytics needed to adapt and make informed decisions,” said Fedeli.

“There are a number of partners that are a part of this initiative, and ‘why’? Because we all need to work together. We all need to come together, work together and be a united front,” said Mayor Horwath.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles joined National Steel Car workers at a picket line earlier this evening, and at a roundtable to discuss the future of the steel industry with steelworkers in Hamilton.

Stiles said the funding from the provincial government is “a drop in the bucket.”

Horwath also responded to Cleveland-Cliffs announcing its Canadian operation had its strongest quarter yesterday, saying it’s “a slap in the face” to Hamilton workers.

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