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Steel and Aluminum Industry

Question period focused on the steel and aluminum industry amid American tariffs and the situation at Stelco. Conservatives pressed the government to release the minister’s demand letter to Cleveland-Cliffs, to add steel service centres and downstream manufacturers to the steel task force, and to secure a deal with the United States, citing tariff costs of about $54 million a year for Quebec companies. The industry minister said Canadian steelworkers support the government’s approach, that Canada must stay united against American pressure, and that she wants to work with the opposition to protect steel jobs.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

Michael Guglielmin

Conservative

Linked statement

“The industry minister says Cleveland-Cliffs broke its promises, but the company says it did not, and Stelco workers are still laid off. The minister promised to show the House her demand letter to the company. I want to know when she will provide it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the industry minister said Cleveland-Cliffs has broken its commitments. Now just today the company again said it is fully compliant with all 34 of its undertakings, including employment. Meanwhile, Stelco workers remain laid off. Competing press releases do not help workers. Yesterday, the industry minister stood in this House and said that she would provide the demand letter to this House. Today, the member for York—Durham formally made that request. I am assuming, since she is so confident that the company is in breach, she will have no problem providing that letter. Will she do it, and when?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“Canadian steelworkers support the government on this issue. I want to work with the opposition to protect jobs. I want the Conservatives to stand strong against American tariffs and support our work to protect Canadian workers.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 31 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what is most important is this morning I met with Marty Warren, who is the head of the steelworkers. The steelworkers in Canada are 100% behind the government when dealing with this issue. Of course I am willing to work with the opposition, because I believe that not only do we have a strong case but this should not be a partisan issue. We should be working together to make sure that we protect jobs. Meanwhile, what I expect from the Conservatives is that they take a strong stance on American tariffs, while also making sure that they support us while trying to protect these jobs.

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Michael Guglielmin

Conservative
“Canadian businesses that use steel are struggling to get the supplies they need. They buy Canadian goods and employ Canadian workers. I want the government to include steel service centres and manufacturers on its steel task force so their voices are heard.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is just a letter. I did not hear a date there, and hopefully this is not more “all talk and no action.” Meanwhile, I am hearing from steel service centres and downstream manufacturers all across the country that are having difficulty securing supply. Now, idling of Stelco’s coated lines is certainly adding pressure, and a complex tariff rate quota regime is making some of these companies scramble. These are businesses that buy Canadian and employ Canadian workers. We need to make sure that their voices are heard. Will the industry minister and the Prime Minister commit today to ensuring steel service centres and downstream manufacturers are part of their steel task force, so we can make sure they are getting what they need?

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Jason Groleau

Conservative
“American tariffs are costing steel businesses in my riding $54 million a year. The Prime Minister broke his promise to make a deal with the United States. I want him to make a good agreement with them now.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have completely abandoned the Canadian steel industry. The American tariffs are costing businesses a fortune. Just ask Groupe Camnor, Beauce Atlas or Garaga. The tariffs are costing them each an extra $1.5 million a month. That amounts to an additional $54 million a year for these three incredible businesses in Beauce. The Prime Minister promised us a deal with the Americans, but he has completely failed. Can he set his pride aside and sign a good agreement with the United States?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“Our response is not about pride. Canada must stand united against the White House, which is trying to weaken our economy and make us dependent on the United States. We are protecting steel jobs, and I want to work with the opposition to do that.”

  • 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, I would like to reassure my colleague that this is not about pride. I think he should have thought about his question before asking it. Everyone across the country needs to be united in standing up to the White House, which is basically trying to make us more dependent on the United States and weaken our economy. I would like my colleague to know that I would be pleased to work with him to protect jobs in the steel sector. We are already doing that, but we can always use more help from the opposition.

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