Latest news with #ArcelorMittalDofasco
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Minister Mélanie Joly vows tariff fight, job protection in visit to Hamilton's Dofasco
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly told Hamilton steelworkers to expect new measures 'very soon' to protect their jobs against escalating tariffs — and the industry against 'dumping' of cheap foreign steel. The Liberal minister toured ArcelorMittal Dofasco on Friday and met with Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath in the wake of a controversial doubling of already punishing steel tariffs to 50 per cent by U.S. President Donald Trump. Joly's visit came on the same day Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the One Canadian Economy bill designed to help fast-track major project approvals nationwide and reduce reliance on a suddenly unreliable U.S. trading partner. Separately, Carney is also apparently in talks with Trump in an effort to end the trade war. In an address to Dofasco workers, Joly called the 50 per cent tariffs 'a direct attack against steelworkers, against Hamiltonians, against Canada … and we will fight against them.' Minister Mélanie Joy chats with employees at Dofasco. In response to reporter questions about how the minority Liberal government would protect Hamilton's steel industry that directly employs nearly 10,000 people, Joly said she has spent the last two days talking about options with business leaders, including Dofasco president Ron Bedard. 'We're looking at solutions and I hope we can announce them very soon,' she said, hinting at new measures to prevent foreign steel dumping in Canada and to 'provide liquidities' to tariff-battered companies looking to preserve jobs. 'We'll have more to say very quickly on these two issues,' Joly said. Bedard did not take reporter questions, but told a gathering of workers he has been speaking to Joly and other federal officials almost daily about measures to remove the tariff threat, and prevent 'unfairly traded steel' entering the country. 'I was absolutely thrilled with her response,' he said. The Canadian Steel Producers Association also hinted at good news on the horizon in a release praising the government for 'constructive and frank discussions' in the days since Trump doubled tariffs from 25 to 50 per cent — a move the group has suggested would end all exports of domestic steel to America. The association said in a release it expects to see 'concrete action taken as early as next week' and offered its full support for the government's plans. Dofasco employees gather for a visit by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. Hamilton's mayor had also appealed for 'urgent, co-ordinated action' from both the province and federal government ahead of Joly's visit. Horwath met privately with Joly on Friday afternoon and afterwards said they discussed local projects that could fit the bill for major fast-tracked infrastructure. Hamilton has previously called upper levels of government to fast-track and fund big projects like a new Dundas sewage treatment plant, Hamilton's light rail transit project and a renewal of the Mountain-climbing Kenilworth Access and bridge. Horwath said the pair also talked about tariff implications and concerns for particular Hamilton companies, but declined to share the 'confidential' specifics. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly arrives at the galvanizing line at Dofasco for a tour. 'The 50 per cent tariff does very bad things (to) Hamilton — catastrophic, I could say, if it is not addressed soon,' Horwath said, stressing the city cannot afford to lose manufacturers to the tariff war. A recent city survey of local businesses showed nearly a third of respondents were braced for tariff-related job cuts, while 14 per cent suggested they would have to consider relocation to the U.S. The mayor said she was confident Joly understood the local implications of the continued tariff war. 'She understands that this is impacting people and families.'
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Industry Minister Melanie Joly headed to Hamilton to talk tariffs
Federal Industry Minister Melanie Joly will visit ArcelorMittal Dofasco Friday and meet Hamilton's mayor to talk about the impact of escalating steel tariffs . U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly doubled already punishing tariffs on steel imports south of the border earlier this week to 50 per cent — a move local politicians and industry players called 'devastating' to the Hamilton economy. Hamilton is home to two of the country's largest steel producers, Stelco and ArcelorMittal Dofasco, and nearly 10,000 direct jobs in the city rely on the industry. New Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is apparently involved in quiet trade negotiations with the U.S. president , has not yet publicly specified how or if Canada will retaliate against the latest tariff move. But Joly, the Liberal government's industry minister, has confirmed plans to visit with workers and leaders Friday morning at Dofasco — the go-to political destination during recent elections and the tariff war. Joly is also expected to meet privately with Mayor Andrea Horwath. On Wednesday, Horwath called for 'urgent, co-ordinated action' from all levels of government to battle the unfair tariffs and preserve jobs. Hamilton has also appealed for fast-tracked work on large local projects, like the partly federally funded light rail transit line , with priority given to Hamilton steel. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton leaders decry ‘devastating' blow to economy after Trump doubles steel tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to double tariffs on Canadian steel imports is a 'devastating' blow to an already struggling Hamilton economy, warn local leaders who are appealing for urgent government intervention. Trump signed an executive order that doubled steel tariffs to 50 per cent just after midnight Wednesday — a 'crushing blow' that will 'essentially close the U.S. market' to Canadian steel companies, warned the Canadian Steel Producers Association. It is calling for renewed counter-tariffs and a crackdown on 'dumping' of cheap foreign steel in Canada. Hamilton is home to two of the country's largest steel producers, Stelco and ArcelorMittal Dofasco, and nearly 10,000 direct jobs in the city rely on the industry. So far, those two companies have not publicly reported layoffs, but Catherine Cobden, head of the national association, has estimated the industry shed 700 jobs over the few months since 25 per cent tariffs were originally imposed. The tariff war has also had a measurable impact on trade at Hamilton's port, which has seen about a 50 per cent drop in the volume of steel and related commodities like iron ore and coal this year, said Ian Hamilton, who heads the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority. He said the local export industry has been able to 'limp along' despite a 25 per cent tariff, 'but this new 50 per cent tariff basically guts the ability to trade with the United States.' Mayor Andrea Horwath condemned the doubled tariff as 'another blow to Hamilton's economy, workers and families — and especially our steel industry.' In a statement, Horwath said she is in 'active talks' with provincial and federal leaders about what can be done to protect local jobs and urged 'urgent, co-ordinated action' from all levels of government. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters the government will 'take some time' to consider an appropriate response to the latest tariff war action. Locally, new Liberal MP and former city councillor John-Paul Danko said the government is reaching out urgently to officials from affected cities, businesses and unions — some of whom will travel to Ottawa for talks. Danko said he is also hoping to help arrange talks or a meeting with Hamilton's mayor. He added Industry Minister Melanie Joly expects to visit soon with hard-hit cities. 'This is an emergency, it's a crisis and we need to talk to everybody that can be part of the solution,' he said. Hamilton Chamber of Commerce head Greg Dunnett said some steel-related businesses were holding off on major changes like layoffs in the hopes ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries would resolve the tariff war. To see, instead, a doubling of a crippling tariff is 'deeply disappointing,' he said. 'I think, if it is not resolved, then coming out of the summer we are going to start seeing the real impacts of these tariffs.' Many smaller steel fabricators are still bracing for the tariffs' 'ripple effect' on customers and suppliers, said Mike Book, president of Richmond Steel on Arvin Avenue. Book said the 12-person operation specializes in selling finished 'long bar' to machine shops, primarily in Canada. Business has been 'up and down' since the tariff war started, he said — mostly because of the uncertainty around Trump's next tariff move. 'People are thinking, 'Do I buy now or do I wait because he is going to pull (the tariffs) off, or is he going to put them back on, or is he going to double them?'' he said. 'People (who export to the U.S.) just can't absorb a 50 per cent tariff.' Book said Richmond Steel does not sell south of the border, but historically ordered material from the U.S. This year, it is searching out alternate suppliers in Europe in an effort to avoid counter-tariff costs. On the upside, Book said the trade war has prompted new customers to reach out from as far away as B.C. and Newfoundland, as tariff costs make the prospect of cross-country shipping more palatable. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Steel industry, labour leaders call for government action as U.S. tariffs spike
Published Jun 04, 2025 • 4 minute read Workers enter the ArcelorMittal Dofasco's steel manufacturing buildings in Hamilton, Ont., on June 4, 2025. Photo by COLE BURSTON / AFP via Getty Images Canada's steel industry needs the federal government to take swift action as it faces an existential threat from steeply increased U.S. tariff, said Catherine Cobden, head of the Canadian Steel Producers Association. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'We're going to be a deeply weakened sector in a very short period of time,' she said after the U.S. doubled its tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent. Industry players had hoped to get a last-minute reprieve on the U.S. metals tariffs, but when that didn't happen it sent companies scrambling, said Cobden. 'Steel was already ready and loaded, locked and loaded, and some of it even in transport, so, completely chaotic.' The higher tariffs not only make Canadian exports to the U.S. uneconomic, but will also mean Canada's domestic market could be flooded by imports from other countries also shut out of the U.S., said Cobden. 'We're going to be inundated with steel that was destined for the United States diverting into Canada. We already have an unfair trade problem here, so it's going to get much worse very, very quickly.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The industry association is calling on the federal government to expand an existing 25 per cent tariff on metal products finished in China to also include products from other countries made from steel melted and poured in China. The industry has long alleged that the Chinese government unfairly supports its industry to create artificially low prices. It also called for the government to fully reinstate retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel and match the latest escalation. By reducing imports into Canada, producers here can recapture some of the domestic market, said Cobden. 'There'll still be shrinkage in the industry. We'll be weaker, but we won't be, you know, collapsed, which is where I'm afraid we're heading.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday on his way into the weekly Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa that Canada is deep in talks with the U.S. on trade, and is still considering its response to Trump's latest escalation. 'We will take some time — not much, some time — because we are in intensive discussions right now with the Americans on our trading relationship.' Ontario Premier Doug Ford also called for full retaliatory tariffs, while Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Candace Liang said at a press conference that carefully considered retaliation is in order. 'In this moment it is absolutely understandable we would want to show fight,' she said in Ottawa. 'So we can look at the use of targeted counter tariffs, but be careful to maximize impact on the U.S., while minimizing impact on the home front.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The aluminum industry is also being disrupted by the increased tariffs, though the higher price per kilogram of the metal makes it more economic to ship abroad. The Aluminum Association of Canada said it strongly opposed higher rates, which effectively makes Canadian exports to the U.S. economically unviable, and that industry players may be forced to diversify trade toward the European Union. The heightened tariffs will mean less demand across North America and threatens the security of the integrated supply chain, said Jean Simard, president and CEO of the association. 'It will impact workers on both sides of the border and disrupt key sectors including defense, construction and automotive,' he said in a statement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada's metal producers are already feeling the hit from both the initial 25 per cent tariffs imposed March 12, and the general uncertainty of what's to come, said Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske. 'The reality is we've already seen job losses in the steel and aluminum industry, because the uncertainty is just as bad as the reality of it,' she said at the same press conference as Liang. 'And we know within the next couple of days and weeks job losses will start to accumulate, so time is absolutely critically important,' said Bruske, noting that 23,000 people work across steel industries in Canada and another 9,500 in aluminum. Cobden put the job losses at around 700 from the initial round of tariffs, while Canadian steel shipments to the U.S., where half of production goes, were down 30 per cent in April. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Algoma Steel said in a statement that it is deeply concerned with the increased tariffs, and is advocating swift government action to support the company and the wider industry during this volatile time. Unifor said in a news release Wednesday that heightened tariffs on steel and aluminum are a direct threat to Canadian jobs and security, and also urged the federal government to act without delay to defend the industry. 'These tariffs are killing investment in our steel, aluminum, and auto sectors, and we are already seeing the consequences in lost jobs and economic instability,' said Unifor national president Lana Payne in a statement. 'We need immediate and forceful action to defend good jobs and safeguard our national economic security.' Federal politicians are set to meet industry and labour leaders Thursday who are set to press their demands directly. Cobden said the government's recent commitment to buy Canadian steel for infrastructure and defence projects is welcome, but more needs to be done. 'We applaud that, we've been looking for that for decades, but now we have the circumstance where we might not be around to serve those projects.' — With a file from David Baxter in Ottawa. Read More Celebrity Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays World Olympics
CBC
07-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
How would federal parties handle the industrial carbon tax? Climate-focused voters in Hamilton want to know
The Liberal government has already cancelled the consumer carbon tax, but the issue of carbon pricing for industrial pollution is still on the table in the current federal election campaign. The system, which varies slightly by province, makes large emitters pay into a fund that subsidizes projects to reduce industrial emissions. The Conservatives say that, if elected, they'd get rid of it. That would mean an end to a source of funds that helps pay for projects like the green steel plans at ArcelorMittal Dofasco, says Ian Borsuk, executive director of Environment Hamilton. He says that with no financial incentive to reduce pollution, it's likely that many businesses would abandon plans to improve their emissions, further escalating global warming. Borsuk says the issue is particularly salient in Hamilton, where residents are faced with industrial emissions that contain known chemicals that negatively impact human health. These include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogen found in levels higher than provincial guidelines in all urban areas of Hamilton. "I find it hard to believe the average Canadian is wanting a local employer and business not to improve their environmental practices, and not reduce emissions, that in turn, helps their own health," says Borsuk. "If we want to have clean air, that is a direct benefit" of the carbon tax for industry, he says. "Without an industrial carbon tax … there's no incentive for those companies to make these changes that really benefit all of us." How does the industrial carbon tax work? An industrial carbon price has been a key part of the Liberal government's plan to tackle climate change, giving economic incentives to reduce emissions — by both carrot and stick. Large-scale emitters have thresholds for how carbon-intensive their operations can be. Those that exceed it have to pay. Those that produce less carbon pollution than allowed can profit by having surplus credits to sell. Currently, the federal government directly administers the pricing system in Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut and Yukon. All other provinces, including Ontario, run their own programs, but they need to comply with federal standards on the price put on companies and how the money is used. An independent analysis last year found it the most effective part of the government's policies to lower emissions in Canada, and industrial voices were publicly supporting it — until recently. The Conservatives say they would remove the federal requirement, leaving it to provinces to run their own pricing systems if they choose, and expand federal tax credits aimed at clean technology and manufacturing. Hamilton area voters say more tools needed, not fewer For some voters who identify climate change and the environment as among their top concerns, cancelling the carbon tax for industry is a non-starter. "An industrial tax has the potential [to] play a much larger role than the consumer carbon tax ever could" when it comes to creating a more sustainable country, said Dundas resident Kris Gadjanski, 58. "For me, voting for a person who promises to eliminate the industrial carbon tax would be foolish and short-sighted, and is simply not an option." St. Catharines resident Andrew Stewart says he would have preferred to keep the consumer carbon tax as well. "We need more tools to combat climate change, not fewer," said Stewart, 35. "While imperfect, I think the Liberals did a very bad job communicating the purpose and value of the tax-rebate system, and the Conservatives did a very good job vilifying it." "I think we can both invest in Canadian industry and manufacturing, have good jobs and a strong economy, and also make strong intentional moves to decarbonize our systems," he added. "They are not mutually exclusive." Here's what the parties are promising. Conservatives Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has spent years making opposition to the carbon tax a central part of his brand. His vow to "axe the tax" would remove it from steel, aluminum, natural gas, food production, concrete and all other major industries, "lowering prices and bringing home powerful paycheques for Canadians," his party said in a press release earlier this week. "Provinces will continue to have the freedom to address the issue as they like," says the party's website, which has also criticized the Liberal government for not repealing the carbon tax law, suggesting the removal of the consumer tax may not be permanent. The Conservatives say they will instead create tax credits for companies that invest in clean technology. "Heavy industries who make products with lower emissions than the world average will be rewarded, bringing jobs and production home and bringing global emissions down," states the party's website. Greens Green Party press secretary Fabrice Lachance Nové says removing the industrial tax would allow "big polluters [to] get richer, and everyone else faces the consequences. Removing the carbon tax means continued or even increased levels of air and water pollution in surrounding areas, negatively impacting the health of residents. Pollution leads to extreme weather, making life more expensive for everyone." Lachance Nové says the Greens would gradually increase the carbon price after 2030 while making sure low-income and rural Canadians are not unfairly affected. "We support tariffs on imports from countries with weaker environmental laws to protect Canadian industries from unfair competition," he told CBC Hamilton in an email. The party's website also says it would "stop giving public money to oil and gas companies and invest it in clean energy instead, "create strict, science-based limits on Canada's total pollution." and "make companies prove they have real plans to deal with climate risks." Liberals The Liberal party has pledged to keep and strengthen the industrial carbon price, and is also promising programs to help households lower their emissions, using money from polluters to pay citizens who reduce their footprints. It is pledging to make it easier for industrial businesses to access and plan for funding that helps them green their operations. "The current approach provides industrial emitters with price certainty for their emissions but price uncertainty for carbon abatement," states a press release on shared with CBC Hamilton by Liberal spokesperson Carolyn Svonkin. The party is also promising a "carbon border adjustment program," adding a fee to carbon-intensive products coming into the country. It says its measures to make Canadian businesses more green will make them more competitive in international markets, allowing them to "leapfrog" the United States. New Democrats (NDP) The NDP is promising to keep the industrial carbon price and the emissions cap, as well as introducing a border carbon adjustment "so overseas polluters don't undercut Canadian workers, and clean industries like Canadian steel and cement stay competitive," according to a statement on the party's website. Hamilton Centre NDP candidate Matthew Green says the party will end tax breaks for oil and gas companies, and use the money to better support ordinary people and families in efforts to use less oil and gas. "This will free up billions to help people retrofit their homes to save them money on their heating bills, and to help them lower their carbon footprint," Green told CBC Hamilton in a statement emailed by his party. Party Leader Jagmeet Singh said the NDP's goal is "a country where no one is priced out of heat, out of safety, or out of their home," according to the party's website, which says more climate measures will be announced in the coming weeks.
