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A Plan to Protect Ontario
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Finance
Date: 2026-10-29 18:10:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Economy, Taxation, Finance, Trade, Industry]Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy released the 2026 Ontario Economic and Fiscal Review: A Plan to Protect Ontario, projecting a deficit of $16.9 billion in 2026-27 and a return to a balanced budget in 2029-30. The fiscal plan features an $8 billion Ontario Competitiveness Tax Cut tied to the federal Productivity Mega Deduction, an $8.7 billion Canada-Ontario action plan targeting the steel, automotive, and critical minerals sectors, and nearly $30 billion in cumulative tariff relief and business supports implemented since April 2025. Additionally, the government committed to streamlining 35 to 50 percent of the province's 375 business-facing permits by the end of 2028 and restoring capital expenditures as eligible under the Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit and Ontario Innovation Tax Credit to provide over $50 million in tax support over three years.
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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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Province Announces $8 Billion Ontario Competitiveness Tax Cut to Support Investment and Create 30,000 Jobs
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Finance
Date: 2026-10-28 14:08:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Taxation, Economy, Finance, Trade, Industry]The Ontario Ministry of Finance announced the $8 billion Ontario Competitiveness Tax Cut as part of its multi-year Tax Action Plan to counter U.S. tariffs and lower business investment costs. Administered as the provincial counterpart to the federal Productivity Mega Deduction, the policy allows eligible businesses to immediately write off 100 per cent of capital investments in assets such as fibre-optic cables, software, aircraft, machinery, and patents. The measure is projected to drive at least $11 billion in new capital investment, add $6 billion to the provincial GDP, and support the creation of 30,000 new jobs over five years. Combined with prior initiatives from Budget 2026, total business tax relief will exceed $12 billion over five years, reducing Ontario's Marginal Effective Tax Rate to 3.6 per cent.
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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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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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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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Ontario Investing More Than $390,000 to Protect Workers in Hamilton from U.S. Tariffs
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Date: 2026-10-20 20:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Municipal, Economy, Trade, Industry, Labour]The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade is providing over $390,000 to the City of Hamilton through the $40 million Trade-Impacted Communities Program (TICP) to launch the $588,000 Hamilton Tariff Response Team (TRT). Administered by the City of Hamilton, the TRT will assist local steel and manufacturing businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs under Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The initiative operates through two streams: delivering operational support for supply chain diversification into new markets and job retention, and expanding municipal data resources to help businesses adapt to trade disruptions.
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Ontario Celebrates Small Business Week
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Date: 2026-10-19 14:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Economy, Taxation, Finance, Industry, Labour]In recognition of Small Business Week, Associate Minister Nina Tangri highlighted that Ontario's over 500,000 small businesses employ nearly 2.5 million people. The 2026 Ontario Budget cut the small business corporate income tax rate from 3.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent, providing $1.1 billion in relief and up to $5,000 in annual savings to over 375,000 small businesses. Additionally, the government is investing a record $49 million over the next three years in the Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres (OSBACs) network across more than 50 locations, alongside ongoing investments in Futurpreneur and Summer Company.
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Ontario Welcomes $479 Million Advanced Manufacturing Investment in London
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Date: 2026-10-16 13:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, National, Economy, Industry, Energy, Infrastructure]Hitachi Energy Canada is investing $479 million to establish a 21,000-square-meter Transformer Insulation Centre in London's Huron Industrial Park, creating over 100 new jobs with completion expected by 2028. The facility will feature the world's first transformer pressboard manufacturing line with four formers, capable of producing up to 20,000 tonnes of material annually to strengthen North America's transformer supply chain. The Ontario government is providing up to $20 million in funding through the Invest Ontario Fund, while the Government of Canada is contributing $20 million through the Strategic Response Fund alongside $10 million from Natural Resources 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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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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Trump’s steel tariffs likely here for ‘long term:’ Canadian industry group
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-08 15:27:46.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Industry, Labour, Economy]The Canadian Steel Producers Association warned the Senate foreign affairs committee that U.S. President Donald Trump's steel tariffs are likely permanent, urging the federal government to strengthen Buy Canadian rules. Meanwhile, Cleveland-Cliffs announced plans to lay off up to 350 to 500 workers at its Stelco steel plant in Hamilton, Ontario. Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly threatened legal action and expressed extreme disappointment, noting that Cleveland-Cliffs' 2024 takeover of Stelco was conditional on maintaining employment levels regardless of market conditions.
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Ottawa gives Stelco's U.S. owner 5 days to share plan to keep jobs
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-06 14:56:06.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry, Economy]Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a five-day deadline to Ohio-based Cleveland-Cliffs to submit a plan maintaining jobs at the Stelco steel production facility in Hamilton, Ontario, or face potential legal action. The federal government asserts that the planned idling of operations and subsequent layoffs of approximately 500 workers violate binding commitments made under the Investment Canada Act during the company's $3.4-billion acquisition in 2024. Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves defended the cuts as a survival move necessitated by U.S. tariffs and the Canada-U.S. trade war, while Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Ottawa will use all available enforcement powers under the law, which include seeking court-ordered compliance, divestiture, or monetary penalties.
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