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Stelco must recall laid off workers ‘immediately,’ Joly says in new letter
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 14:04:23.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade]Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a letter on October 29, 2026, demanding that parent company Cleveland-Cliffs and Stelco immediately recall approximately 500 workers laid off at the Hamilton steel plant, or face potential legal action under Section 39 of the Investment Canada Act that could lead to forced divestiture. Joly rejected an interim compliance report submitted by Stelco on October 26 as unsatisfactory. Stelco initiated the layoffs in early October due to reduced operations, offering alternative positions at its Lake Erie facility, which the United Steelworkers union notes has only accommodated about 40 of the affected employees.
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Joly says she will meet with Stelco owner if company gives 'concrete' plan to bring workers back
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 13:55:47.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Economy, Trade, Labour, Industry]Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a letter to Paul Simon, president of Stelco, stating she will only meet with the company and its American parent firm, Cleveland-Cliffs, if they provide a concrete plan to immediately recall 300 to 350 laid-off workers at the Hamilton steel plant. The dispute follows recent layoffs and public remarks by Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves regarding the rationale behind the 2024 acquisition. Minister Joly is evaluating potential legal action for non-compliance with undertakings under the Investment Canada Act, which require maintaining unionized employee levels at 2024 figures through 2029.
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U.S. steel CEO's 'confessions' for buying Stelco prompted government to call its lawyers: industry minister
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-28 16:11:32.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade, Economy]Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly stated that department lawyers were consulted following public comments by Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves regarding the acquisition of Hamilton-based steelmaker Stelco. Goncalves admitted in a media interview that Cleveland-Cliffs purchased Stelco in 2024 specifically to prevent it from undercutting U.S. production facilities, prompting Ottawa to review potential legal consequences under the Investment Canada Act. The federal government previously issued a 15-day ultimatum to Cleveland-Cliffs demanding the reversal of announced layoffs at Stelco to maintain unionized employment levels agreed upon through 2029, threatening court action that could include financial penalties or forced divestment.
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Stelco owner says he could sell plant next year after becoming 'persona non grata in Canada'
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 23:34:42.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry]Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves announced that he is willing to sell the Hamilton-based steel plant Stelco next year following a legal dispute with the federal government over Investment Canada Act obligations. Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly threatened legal action and potential monetary penalties or divestment after Stelco announced 300 to 350 layoffs in September, violating undertakings to maintain unionized staffing levels at 2024 baselines through 2029. While Cleveland-Cliffs maintains it is in full compliance and that the cuts are necessary due to U.S. steel tariffs, Minister Joly stated that potential buyers are already interested in Stelco's Canadian assets.
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Cleveland-Cliffs says Stelco in 'full compliance' with commitments to Ottawa, wants to meet with Joly
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 12:14:41.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry, Economy]Ohio-based parent company Cleveland-Cliffs announced that Stelco is in full compliance with its 34 undertakings under the Investment Canada Act, following a demand letter from Industry Minister Mélanie Joly giving the company a 15-day deadline to reverse 300 to 350 layoffs in Hamilton and 50 layoffs at the Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke. Despite Cleveland-Cliffs citing U.S. tariffs and the need to ensure company survival for the cutbacks, Joly rejected the rationale and stated that market changes do not relieve the company of its binding commitments. Cleveland-Cliffs requested a meeting with Minister Joly and CEO Lourenco Goncalves to discuss resuming full employment for the affected workers, though the minister has not yet responded.
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Canada-U.S. trade talks intensifying but wide gap remains, sources say
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 17:30:50.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Economy, Industry]Trade discussions between Canada and the United States have intensified amid the U.S. midterm elections, though Canadian government sources and chief trade negotiator Janice Charette emphasize that a deal is not imminent and a wide gap remains on key elements. U.S. President Donald Trump and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett have suggested that progress is being made toward an agreement, while the White House recently removed certain tariffs on Canadian goods to assist U.S. Senator Susan Collins' campaign in Maine. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated that a fair deal protecting steelworkers, autoworkers, and manufacturing workers would prompt him to restore American alcoholic beverages to Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) shelves.
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Diplomacy or ‘interference’? U.S. warns Canadian officials as midterms near
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 19:14:45.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Governance]The United States Embassy in Ottawa issued a list of nine points alleging that Canadian federal officials, including Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, and provincial leaders, such as Ontario Premier Doug Ford, engaged in foreign interference by attempting to influence U.S. politics and oppose American tariffs. Canadian legal experts and officials, including Carleton University law professor Leah West and former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley, disputed the claims, clarifying that overt public advocacy and diplomatic engagement do not meet the legal thresholds for foreign interference under Canadian or American law. The diplomatic friction arises as the U.S. approaches midterm elections amid historically low approval ratings for U.S. President Donald Trump and ongoing cross-border trade tensions.
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Ottawa gives Stelco 15 days to reverse Hamilton layoffs or face lawsuit
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 14:16:39.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade]Federal Industry Minister Melanie Joly issued a 15-day ultimatum to Stelco's U.S. parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs, demanding the reversal of layoffs affecting up to 500 workers at the Hamilton steel plant or face federal legal action. The government asserts that the layoffs violate a 2024 binding agreement stipulating that the average aggregate annual full-time equivalent employment of unionized employees in Canada would remain at 1,766 (100% of the baseline level ending June 30, 2024) through 2029. While court action could potentially force the company to sell its Canadian operations, senior government sources acknowledge that judicial timelines may be too slow to immediately protect current staffing levels in Hamilton.
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Minister giving Stelco owner 15 days to reverse layoffs before turning to the courts
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 14:15:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Trade, Labour, Economy]Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a 15-day demand letter to Ohio-based parent company Cleveland-Cliffs, threatening legal action under Section 40 of the Investment Canada Act if it does not reverse planned temporary layoffs of up to 500 workers at the Hamilton-based Stelco steel facility. The federal government asserts that the layoffs violate binding commitments made during Cleveland-Cliffs' 2024 acquisition of Stelco to maintain unionized and non-unionized employment levels through 2029. While Cleveland-Cliffs blamed the workforce reductions on U.S. steel tariffs aimed at ensuring the company's survival, Minister Joly dismissed market conditions as a valid reason to break binding investment commitments and warned that legal proceedings could include monetary penalties and a forced divestment from Stelco.
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U.S. Embassy says Carney government brushing off 'potential interference' in midterms
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 21:03:27.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Governance, Economy]The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet accusing the Canadian federal government and provincial officials of attempting to influence the upcoming U.S. midterm elections through targeted lobbying, advertising campaigns, and political event appearances related to an ongoing bilateral trade war and tariffs. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford strongly denied the interference allegations, maintaining that all policy responses and trade actions are executed strictly to protect Canadian workers, families, and domestic industries. U.S. trade adviser Peter Navarro and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra previously warned that Canadian lobbying against tariffs in key U.S. border states like Michigan and Maine could result in severe economic repercussions.
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Premier Ford and Prime Minister Carney Launch New Action Plan to Protect Workers from Tariffs and Strengthen Ontario Industries
Source: Ontario - Premier's Office
Date: 2026-10-21 19:30:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Economy, Trade, Labour, Industry, Infrastructure, Mining, Energy]The Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada announced a combined $8.7 billion action plan to protect workers and industries from U.S. tariffs. The package includes the Joint Steel Action Fund with $3.55 billion from the federal government and $1.67 billion from Ontario, an additional $2.5 billion over two years for large-scale automotive capital projects (up to $1.5 billion federal and $1 billion provincial), and a federal commitment of up to $1 billion over three years for essential road infrastructure in Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire region. Additionally, light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas regulations will be maintained at 2026 levels (172 grams per mile) through 2029 to provide trade-related relief to the automotive sector.
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Premier Ford and Prime Minister Carney Launch New Action Plan to Protect Workers from Tariffs and Strengthen Ontario Industries
Source: Ontario - Premier's Office
Date: 2026-10-21 19:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Economy, Trade, Labour, Industry, Mining, Infrastructure]Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced an $8.7 billion joint action plan to protect workers and industries from U.S. tariffs and global uncertainty. The initiative establishes a $5.22 billion Joint Steel Action Fund ($3.55 billion federal, $1.67 billion provincial), a $2.5 billion automotive manufacturing capital upgrade fund ($1.5 billion federal, $1.0 billion provincial), and a $1 billion federal matching investment for road infrastructure in Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire region. Furthermore, the plan creates bilateral task forces for steel, automotive, and critical minerals, implements tighter trade remedies through the Canada Border Services Agency, and leverages Buy Canadian and Buy Ontario procurement policies.
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Carney and Ford set to announce support for workers amid trade war
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 14:47:20.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry, Economy]Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are set to announce joint support measures for workers and industries impacted by ongoing United States tariffs. The announcement follows imminent layoffs at Stelco's Hamilton plant after pressure from U.S. tariffs forced production to concentrate at the Lake Erie Works plant in Haldimand. Industry Minister Melanie Joly stated that the federal government is pursuing potential financial penalties and forced divestiture under the Investment Canada Act due to multiple breaches of commitments by Stelco. Additionally, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced that the federal budget will be released on November 5, 2026, following lowered economic growth projections by the Parliamentary Budget Officer of 0.9 per cent for 2026 and 1.5 per cent for 2027.
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Carney, Ford to announce funding for clean auto investments: source
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 13:59:35.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Economy, Trade, Industry, Environment]Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are scheduled to unveil a joint support package on Parliament Hill to assist Canadian auto companies making clean investments. The announcement comes in response to ongoing U.S.-Canada trade tensions—including U.S. tariff threats of up to 50 percent on cars, trucks, auto parts, and steel taking effect January 1, 2027—and addresses Canada's greenhouse gas standards following the U.S. Trump administration's rollback of federal fuel economy standards. Federal industry and finance ministers are expected to join the premier and prime minister for the announcement.
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Stelco layoff legal challenge timeline is in ‘days,’ Joly says
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-16 18:05:12.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Industry, Labour]Industry Minister Melanie Joly announced that the federal government's legal challenge and resolution timeline regarding steel manufacturer Stelco Holdings Inc. is a "question of days" following the company's breach of commitments under the Investment Canada Act. Stelco began executing layoffs affecting approximately 90 workers at its Hamilton plant—with notices issued and layoffs taking effect—while concentrating steel production at its Lake Erie Works plant in Haldimand due to pressure from U.S. tariffs. Minister Joly warned that Stelco faces potential financial penalties and a forced divestiture requiring the sale of all its Canadian assets if it fails to maintain operational capacity and jobs in Canada.
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'In a perfect world,' federal government would nationalize Stelco, says Hamilton union leader
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-16 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade, Economy]United Steelworkers Local 1005 union president Ron Wells and political leaders are calling on the federal government to nationalize the Stelco steelmaker facility in Hamilton, Ontario, following layoffs affecting approximately 350 workers. U.S.-based parent company Cleveland-Chiefs implemented the layoffs, citing temporary measures pending U.S.-Canada trade deals and tariffs, while the federal government weighs potential legal action against Cleveland-Chiefs for allegedly breaching five-year employment commitments made during its 2024 acquisition. Member of Parliament John-Paul Danko highlighted that American flat-product steel imports are heavily impacting Canadian production at Stelco, prompting federal warnings that Ottawa will take necessary measures to hold the company accountable.
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U.S. 'monitoring' Canada for signs of midterm election interference, ambassador says
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-14 21:15:55.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Economy, Governance, Industry]U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra announced that American officials are closely monitoring Canadian politicians for signs of election interference ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections. Hoekstra cited political advertisements run by the province of Ontario during the 2025 World Series and comments made by federal officials including Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and former prime minister Justin Trudeau. Joly pushed back against the allegations, stating that Canada does not engage in election interference and that her recent U.S. visits focused solely on attracting investments from American companies. Meanwhile, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro warned that Canada would face severe repercussions if it attempts to lobby or influence elections in border states regarding ongoing tariff disputes.
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What happens next with Stelco layoffs as Ottawa threatens legal action?
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-14 17:19:09.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Industry, Labour]Cleveland-Cliffs, the American parent company of Stelco, is proceeding with layoffs affecting up to 500 workers at its Hamilton Works plant in Ontario while shifting production to its Lake Erie Works facility in Haldimand. Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly threatened legal action under the Investment Canada Act, claiming the layoffs violate binding undertakings agreed to during the 2024 corporate acquisition that required maintaining employment levels and operations. Stelco President Paul Simon responded that the company has not breached its undertakings and that the layoffs are a necessary response to a 58 per cent plunge in cold-rolled and coated steel exports caused by United States President Donald Trump's Section 232 tariffs of up to 50 per cent. The federal government's legal team is reviewing Stelco's response as the dispute centers on whether market conditions and foreign trade pressures excuse a company from Investment Canada Act employment commitments.
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Cleveland-Cliffs CEO says he's prepared to fight Canada in court over Stelco layoffs
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-11 21:13:15.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry, Economy]Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves stated he is prepared to fight the Canadian government in court over employment commitments tied to the 2024 acquisition of Hamilton-based steelmaker Stelco. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued an ultimatum demanding a plan to save up to 500 impacted jobs at the Hamilton and Lake Erie Works plants or face potential legal action under the Investment Canada Act. Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed that Ottawa will use all legal powers to pursue Cleveland-Cliffs, while the company defends the layoffs as a temporary measure driven by U.S. Section 232 tariffs.
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Stelco says Hamilton layoffs still happening despite Ottawa's threats of legal action
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-10 18:14:09.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Trade, Labour, Economy]Hamilton-based steelmaker Stelco Inc., owned by Ohio-based Cleveland-Cliffs following a $3.4-billion cash-and-stock acquisition, announced it is proceeding with hundreds of layoffs (impacting up to 500 workers) at its Hamilton Works facility despite legal threats from federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. Minister Joly issued a five-day ultimatum demanding a job-saving plan, alleging that the layoffs violate binding employment commitments under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) to maintain baseline unionized and non-unionized workforce levels established during the transaction. Stelco rejected the allegations, arguing that the undertakings do not explicitly forbid layoffs and that the workforce reductions are driven by external factors beyond its control, specifically United States President Donald Trump's 50 per cent steel tariffs and the idling of its finishing lines. While Stelco submitted a compliance plan offering laid-off workers potential positions at its Lake Erie plant, the company countered that the federal government should instead impose stricter import restrictions on cold-rolled and coated steel products, limit import substitution, and eliminate remissions.
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