Trade minister outlines plan at Dofasco to protect jobs, boost Canadian steel demand

Canadian Minister of International Trade and Economic Development Maninder Sidhu was in Hamilton today with a message for steel workers.

Sidhu stopped by Dofasco this afternoon to explain a three part plan that will keep the steel industry going and protect jobs.

“We all know this has been a challenging time for steel producers and workers. U.S. tariffs and the uncertainty they create have hit communities like Hamilton hard,” said Sidhu.

During Sidhu’s time addressing steel workers in Hamilton, he announced that Canada will reduce tariff free imports from countries Canada doesn’t have a free trade agreement with.

“These changes alone will unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in domestic demand that will support facilities like the one that I’m here at today and keep Canadians working,” said Sidhu.

The minister echoed what Prime Minister Mark Carney announced earlier this week – including expanding training and income supports, and targeted loans to help companies modernize.

But what forged this visit – Sidhu said, “When Canada builds roads, bridges, community centres and homes, we will use Canadian steel.”

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“At the community centres that we all take our kids to practice at, the walls, the roofs are made by Dofasco right here in Hamilton. You look at some of the products that are used in the food industry, originate right here in Dofasco,” said Sidhu.

The announcement was music to the ears of Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath and the CEO of Dofasco Ron Bedard.

“I would have to say, this is one of the most important things I’ve seen coming from our federal government. And I’m very, very happy about it. I was uncertain what the details were, but hearing the expanse of what it is that they’ve included in this announcement, it’s going to literally save our steel industry,” said Horwath.

“The trade war with Canada is unprecedented. It’s unprecedented in my 38 years. I think the government has worked very, very well with the private sector to understand the depth of the threat and to respond in kind with the support that the industry needs,” said Bedard.

Bedard says the federal support will help protect the roughly 5,000 jobs at Dofasco.

“I think today’s announcement is critical. When I think of the announcement, I’m thinking of thousands of people that work here everyday. You’re seeing thousands of coils in behind us, I’m much more concerned about the thousands of people that make those coils,” said Bedard.

Mayor Horwath says the cooperation between all three levels of government in this trade war has been unprecedented, and she says it’s because “we’re all in this together.”

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