Rob Cooper calls for immediate action to protect Stelco Workers.
Mayoral candidate and Ward 8 Councillor Rob Cooper is calling on the federal government to take immediate action to protect Canadian steelworkers and strengthen Canada's domestic steel industry following reports that approximately 350 unionized Stelco workers at the company’s Hamilton plant will face indefinite layoffs beginning October 9.
MEDIA CONTACT: GRANT MACLEAN
Communications & Media for Rob Cooper Campaign
“For generations, steelworkers have built Hamilton, supported our families and helped build Canada. With approximately 350 Stelco workers facing indefinite layoffs, every level of government needs to treat this with the urgency it deserves,” said Cooper.
Cooper, who previously served in senior executive roles at Stelco, said the federal government must act immediately to protect Canadian primary steel production from unfair foreign competition and global steel overcapacity.
“Canada should not be importing unfairly traded foreign steel that displaces Canadian production. We need to protect our ability to make primary steel in Canada, protect the skilled workers who make it, and ensure Canadian steel is used to build Canadian infrastructure.”
Cooper is calling on the federal government to:
- Immediately review and strengthen tariffs and import protections on foreign steel where imports are displacing Canadian production, including stronger action against dumping, trade diversion and unfairly subsidized steel.
- Prioritize Canadian-made steel in federally funded infrastructure and major public projects, ensuring Canadian tax dollars support Canadian workers wherever possible.
- Provide emergency income support for affected Stelco workers, including a temporary federal top-up to Employment Insurance benefits so workers and their families can maintain their incomes while the industry responds to the current crisis.
- Work directly with Stelco, labour representatives and the provincial government on an immediate plan to protect jobs, maintain domestic steelmaking capacity and secure the long-term future of the operation.
- Strengthen enforcement of Canadian trade protections, including measures to prevent foreign steel from circumventing tariffs and other trade remedies through third countries.
“This is about more than 350 jobs. Every steel job supports families, suppliers, contractors, skilled trades and businesses throughout Hamilton and the surrounding region. When our steel industry is hurt, the impact ripples through our entire economy,” Cooper said.
Protecting Hamilton Jobs and Industry
Cooper said the situation reinforces the need for Hamilton to have a Mayor who will actively pursue investment, strengthen the local economy and advocate for the city’s major employers and workers with senior governments.
His economic platform calls for transforming Hamilton into one of Canada’s strongest economic engines by growing the commercial and industrial tax base, attracting new investment, accelerating development approvals, servicing employment lands and leveraging Hamilton’s competitive advantages in advanced manufacturing, its waterport, airport, healthcare sector and skilled workforce.
“As Mayor, I will be at the table with industry, labour and the provincial and federal governments fighting for Hamilton jobs and investment,” said Cooper. “City Hall cannot control international trade policy, but the Mayor of Hamilton can be a relentless advocate for this city.”
Cooper also committed to using the City’s purchasing power to create opportunities for Canadian workers while maintaining competitive, transparent and value-based procurement.
We need a strong steel industry, a strong manufacturing sector and a City Hall that understands that good-paying jobs are the foundation of an affordable and prosperous city.”
