Hamilton, Ont., Mayor Andrea Horwath says a decision by Stelco Holdings Inc. to layoff as many as 350 workers from its Hamilton steel plant will be devastating to those affected.
“I’m furious. These tariffs are very, very difficult for our community,” she said during an interview on CTV’s Your Morning on Tuesday, pointing to the U.S.’s 50 per cent tariff on Canadian steel, which came into effect on Aug. 22.
The union representing steelworkers at the plant, United Steelworkers Local 1005, confirmed the news of the layoffs to CTV News on Monday.
In a statement to BNN, a spokesperson for the American-owned steel manufacturer said that it is currently idling its finishing operations at the Hamilton plant as it concentrates steel production at its Lake Erie site.
“Total tonnage of steel produced will not be affected, albeit we will see a change in product mix, with a higher concentration of hot-rolled steel products,” a spokesperson wrote.
“Very importantly, job opportunities at Lake Erie Works will be offered to Hamilton employees. We expect that a significant number of employees affected by the indefinite idle at Hamilton should be absorbed at Lake Erie Works.”
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In speaking with United Steelworkers Local 1005, Horwath said she doubts that the number of jobs offered to affected Hamilton employees will be “very much.” Ron Wells, president of United Steelworkers Local 1005, told CTV News Tuesday that only 40 to 50 positions are available at the Lake Erie site.
Beyond that, Horwath questioned how the layoffs were able to be carried out in the first place, as Cleveland-Cliffs’ $3.4-billion acquisition of Stelco Holdings in 2024 was contingent on, among other things, a five-year-long undertaking to maintain the same number of unionized employees.
“That’s the question for the federal government, and I can guarantee you that I will be on their backs until I get an answer to that question. That is the crux of the matter here,” she said.
In a written statement provided to CTV News Toronto, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade Vic Fedeli said the Ford government will “use every tool we have to help affected workers.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney said his thoughts are with the workers and the families “who have been betrayed” by Stelco.
“There’s money on the table from the federal government, number one, and the company made representations and has legal obligations for employment,” Carney said during an unrelated news conference in B.C. on Tuesday. “We intend to use all powers that we have and pursue them to the full extent of the law.”
“And I would just take note that this situation is caused by the U.S. tariffs and that the owner and CEO, the ultimate owner of Stelco, Cleveland Cliffs, applauded President Trump for putting those tariffs on,” Carney added.
With files from CTV News’ Spencer Van Dayk, Alex Arsenych, and CP24’s Joanna Lavoie
