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Steel and Aluminum Industry

During question period on the steel and aluminum industry, the NDP asked the government to work with steelworkers on a plan to grow Canada’s steel capacity so Canadian projects can use Canadian steel, and criticized the government for giving trade advisory council seats to CEOs and politicians while leaving out the United Steelworkers and the Canadian Labour Congress. The Liberals said their buy-Canadian policies aim to use as much Canadian steel as possible, and pointed out that the advisory council includes union leaders from Unifor and the FTQ, saying workers’ interests will be represented. A Conservative member sought unanimous consent to table a document on Conservative spending cuts, which was refused.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

Heather McPherson

NDP
“The Prime Minister said Canada will use Canadian steel for Canadian projects, but we cannot make enough yet. I want the government to work with steelworkers to create a plan that supports workers and helps our steel industry grow.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, steelworkers were in Ottawa this week reminding the government that steel is the backbone of our economy and our economic sovereignty. The Prime Minister has said that Canada will use Canadian materials in Canadian projects, but Canada does not yet have that capacity. Will the government take advantage of this incredible opportunity to build Canadian capacity, to grow our industry and to invest in workers? Will the government work with the United Steelworkers to develop and implement the comprehensive steel industrial strategy they are calling for?

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Karim Bardeesy

Liberal
“Steel is important to Canada. Our policies try to use as much Canadian steel as possible. We will keep working with unions and businesses to use even more of it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 46 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we agree that steel is a fundamental strength of the Canadian sector. Our buy Canadian policies are all geared toward using as much Canadian steel as possible. We look forward to working with the United Steelworkers and other industrial unions, as well as employers and businesses, to maximize the use of Canadian steel in Canada.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Heather McPherson

NDP
“The government gave trade advisory seats to many CEOs and politicians, but shut out major unions. I want to know if the government will add more worker representatives before trade talks begin.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the government is not listening to steelworkers. The government left USW off its CUSMA advisory council. It also shut out the Canadian Labour Congress and the over three million Canadian workers it represents. Instead, the government gave seats to more than a dozen CEOs, prominent Conservatives and just two labour representatives. How can the government claim to be there for workers while refusing to give them seats at the table? Will the government expand worker representation before CUSMA negotiations begin, starting with the CLC?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Our advisory council includes top union leaders, so workers will have a voice. We support Canadian steelworkers and the future of Canada's steel industry.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 36 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the minister’s advisory council includes the president of Unifor. It includes the president of FTQ. Workers’ interests will absolutely be represented on the advisory council. I was proud, just a couple of weeks ago, to visit Sault Ste. Marie, with my incredible colleague from Sault Ste. Marie, to visit Algoma Steel and to meet with the steelworkers to talk about the exciting future of building Canada strong, buying Canadian and seeing that electric arc furnace fired up. We are going to have a steel industry in Canada—

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C– View analysis

Michael Barrett

Conservative
“I want everyone to agree to let me submit a document showing the cuts Conservatives would make.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to table a document detailing the cuts Conservatives would make. An hon. member: No.

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