Hamilton, ON – Today, Ned Kuruc, Conservative Member of Parliament for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, and Michael Guglielmin, Senior Advisor on Steel Policy, Chair of the Conservative Steel Caucus and Member of Parliament for Vaughan—Woodbridge, called out the Carney government for failing to defend workers being laid off by Stelco.
Last Monday, Industry Minister Melanie Joly told Stelco they had five days to stop the layoffs or the Liberals would have a court enforce the contract. Yet over a week later, there is still no lawsuit, the CEO says there is no obligation, and workers are paying the price with layoffs.
“The hundreds of workers being laid off don’t have 10 months to wait,” said Kuruc. “Their mortgage payment is at the end of the month, their grocery trip is this weekend, and Christmas planning is happening right now. Credit cards can’t be paid off with statements and letters promising action that do nothing to stop workers losing their jobs.”
On Friday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on the Liberals to sue Stelco and get court orders against Cleveland-Cliffs, including penalties and, where warranted, a court-ordered sale with the goal of securing a Canadian buyer. Since then, Minister Joly hasn’t taken any legal action and has only issued another boilerplate statement that fails to take any action.
“The Minister set her own deadline to take action and protect workers’ jobs, but has done nothing but let the deadline expire,” Guglielmin added. “Either the Liberals drafted a terrible contract that failed to protect jobs and are only now realizing it, or they’re all talk and no action, and when push comes to shove, won’t stand up for our industry. We don’t need another Stellantis failure.”
Calling on the Liberals to sue Stelco’s owner is all part of the Conservative Steel Plan that will enforce Stelco’s job guarantees, crack down on Chinese dumping and build demand for Canadian steel. That includes:
- Stopping Chinese steel dumping. Strengthen anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and anti-circumvention enforcement by tracing steel to where it was melted and poured, so unfairly-traded Chinese steel faces the appropriate duties even when routed through a third country.
- Eliminating the industrial carbon tax. Reduce costs for Canadian steelmakers competing against American tariffs and producers that do not face equivalent charges.
- Pre-approving LNG projects. Build demand for Canadian steel and give domestic producers and fabricators the confidence to invest, expand and supply more Canadian steel.
- Getting back to the table for a trade deal with the United States. Seek the removal of American steel tariffs, with the objective of restoring tariff-free access for Canadian producers.
“The Liberals approved the Stelco takeover on the strength of their job guarantees. Now they must enforce them,” Kuruc said. “Steelworkers need a government that enforces commitments, confronts unfair trade policies and opens the door to new business. Canadian steelworkers can compete with anyone in the world. What they should not have to compete against is their own government.”
“Mark Carney promised to make Canada our own best customer; Canadian workers deserve the chance to supply the projects being built here,” Guglielmin concluded. “New Canadian projects will give our producers the opportunity to invest in new equipment, skills and capacity. Approve projects, let our businesses expand and put Canadian workers first. That’s how we’ll save Canadian jobs and save Canadians money. ”