Steel and Aluminum Industry

Question period focused on the steel industry, especially Stelco in Hamilton and the impact of US tariffs and layoffs. Liberal members, including Minister Mélanie Joly, said the government had announced $5.2 billion to support the steel sector, noted that legal action regarding Cleveland-Cliffs had been started, and pointed to the steelworkers’ union supporting the government’s position. Conservative members asked why the government had approved the sale of Stelco, pressed the minister to release the demand letter sent to Cleveland-Cliffs, and called on the government to file a lawsuit to protect Hamilton workers, citing missed paycheques and job losses. Several exchanges were marked by interruptions from members in the chamber.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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13 statements

John-Paul Danko, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas

Liberal
“Hamilton is proud to be Canada's steel city. Steel is part of who we are.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Hamilton is proud to be Canada’s steel city. It is part of who we are. This is— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

John-Paul Danko, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas

Liberal
“This disruption is disrespectful. We are talking about real jobs, and thousands of families in Hamilton depend on steelmaking.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are talking about real jobs for real people, and this disruption is extremely disrespectful. Hamilton is proud to be Canada’s steel city, and thousands of families depend on steelmaking. It— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

John-Paul Danko, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas

Liberal
“This issue matters to all Canadians, and the opposition should care about it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, this is a critical issue for all Canadians, and it would be nice if the opposition were interested in what is happening. In the face— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

John-Paul Danko, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas

Liberal
“Thousands of families in Hamilton rely on the steel industry. American tariffs on our steel are illegal and unfair. What is our government doing to protect Canadian steel and its workers?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Hamilton is proud to be Canada’s steel city. Thousands of families depend on steelmaking for their livelihood. In the face of the illegal and unjustified American tariffs, can the Ministry of Industry give the House an update on what our government is doing to protect Canada’s steel industry and support steelworkers?

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Liberal
“The steel industry is important for Canada. We announced $5.2 billion to support it against unfair American tariffs. We will make sure this help goes to Hamilton to create jobs and grow the industry.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we know that the steel industry helped build this country. We have it as a pivotal industry as we are building Canada strong. Last week, I joined the Prime Minister and the Premier of Ontario to announce an additional $5.2 billion to support the steel industry from the unjustified American tariffs. We will make sure that people in Hamilton get that support, that we create growth in the country and, more importantly, that we create jobs across the steel industry.

Michael Guglielmin, Vaughan—Woodbridge

Conservative
“The industry minister said she would share the demand letter she sent to Cleveland-Cliffs about broken contract promises. I asked when she would share it, and she did not answer. The company says it broke no rules, and workers need clear answers. Will the minister release that letter today?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the industry minister said she would provide the demand letter she sent to Cleveland-Cliffs, because it outlines the way in which the company has breached its contractual commitments. Yesterday, I stood up in the House and asked her for a date on which she would provide us with that letter. She did not answer the question. Meanwhile, we hear from Cleveland-Cliffs repeatedly that it is not in violation of any of its contractual commitments, and workers are still awaiting some transparency. I will ask the minister this again: Will she provide us today with the demand letter that she sent to Cleveland-Cliffs so workers can get some transparency?

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Liberal
“The real question is whether the Conservatives support protecting the jobs at Stelco. I have not heard them say where they stand on this.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the question is not that. The question is whether the Conservatives are in favour of protecting the jobs at Stelco. I have not heard that from them. My question to my colleague is— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Liberal
“I want the Conservatives to answer yes or no: do they support protecting the jobs at Stelco in Hamilton?”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the question is not that. The question is, are the Conservatives in favour of protecting the jobs at Stelco and Hamilton, yes or no?

Ned Kuruc, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek

Conservative
“The owner of Stelco bought the company to protect his American business and stopped it from selling steel to the United States. Now 350 steelworkers in Hamilton are losing their jobs. I want the government to take Stelco to court, stop illegal steel dumping, and get a deal with no tariffs on steel.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Cleveland-Cliffs’s CEO admitted that he bought Stelco because Canadian steel was hurting his American business. He admitted to blocking Stelco from selling steel to the United States, and now 350 Hamilton steelworkers are losing their jobs. Conservatives demand that the Liberals take Stelco to court, stop illegal steel dumping and secure a tariff-free steel deal. Instead, the Liberals keep sending love letters and extending deadlines. Stelco’s CEO is protecting American profits and his American workers. What are the Liberals doing to protect ours?

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Liberal
“We need to take this seriously. People are hurting because of these layoffs, and they are worried about their future.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us be serious. There are people hurting because of these layoffs. There are people who are wondering whether they will be able to— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Liberal
“People are worried about paying their bills and mortgages. We did not wait to help them. We started the legal process over ten days ago, but the Conservatives are late.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us be serious here. There are people right now who are asking whether they can pay their mortgage. There are people who are asking themselves whether they will be able to pay their bills. That is why we did not stop. We did not wait. The Conservatives are late. We have been at it and starting the legal process for more than 10 days now. They should, basically, read the news.

Ned Kuruc, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek

Conservative

Linked statement

“Hamilton steelworkers have missed three paycheques after the government approved the sale of their company. The new owner is protecting American profits and steel tariffs while Canadian jobs disappear. I want the Prime Minister to file a lawsuit to protect these workers today.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the only thing late is the minister filing a lawsuit to protect Hamilton workers. This is the third pay cycle that Hamilton steelworkers are missing. I spoke with Stelco workers this morning and they want action. The CEO admitted yesterday that he bought the company as a defensive measure to protect his American profits. We also know he supports Trump and his unjustified steel tariffs. The Liberals approved this takeover. Now they are watching Canadian steel jobs disappear. Will the Prime Minister stop being bullied by Trump’s buddies and file the lawsuit today?

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Liberal
“The CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs admitted he bought Stelco to get rid of a competitor. The steelworkers' union supports us, and our government will act on this.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I met with and I have been in contact in the past two weeks with the head of United Steelworkers, Marty Warren. The union is fully supporting the position of the government. Of course, I was in the studio at CBC when Cleveland-Cliff’s CEO made the admission regarding the fact that he bought Stelco to get rid of a competitor. We take that admission very seriously and will act.

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