The High Cost of Saving Steel

The Ontario NDP is urging Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney to utilize taxpayer funds to purchase Stelco, the Hamilton-based steel producer. According to Global News Toronto, the push for public ownership comes as Stelco begins laying off hundreds of workers. The company's owner, U.S.-based Cleveland Cliffs, claims the Ontario facility produced more steel than could be sold within Canada.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles told reporters that public ownership is the only way to save approximately 350 jobs and secure a reliable supply of Canadian steel for future infrastructure projects. Federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis echoed this sentiment, noting that more than 500 workers in Hamilton face layoffs. Lewis called for the nationalization of the firm and accused Cleveland Cliffs' CEO of supporting U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, which Lewis claims are designed to destroy Canada's manufacturing base.

Global News Toronto reports that Premier Ford previously suggested in August 2025 that the government might "just buy em" after Cleveland Cliffs owner Lorenco Goncalves described Trump's tariffs as "bold action." While government insiders say Ford's comment was made in passing, a senior source noted the government is currently taking a "wait and see" approach, suggesting the federal government must lead the assessment after the U.S. mid-term elections.

Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has previously stated that the 2024 approval for Cleveland Cliffs to acquire Stelco was contingent on maintaining union and non-union job levels. While Joly suggested the current layoffs could lead to legal action, Stelco maintains it is in compliance with those 2024 agreements.