Minister Tassi announces investment to support almost 2,300 Canadian steel workers in southern Ontario

Government of Canada investing in Canadian steel workers and Canadian interests

HAMILTON, ON, Aug. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada stands with hard-working steel and aluminum workers, their families and their communities. The government is delivering on its commitment to support the steel manufacturing sector and its workers.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced a $49.9-million investment in Stelco to support a $412-million project that will create 75 jobs and maintain 2,200 more in Ontario.

This investment will enable Stelco to upgrade its facilities in Hamilton and Lake Erie, Ontario, to modernize its steel production lines; improve its ability to supply customers in advanced manufacturing sectors; expand its suite of products; and bring new and innovative products to the North American market.

The government's investments in Canada's world-class steel and aluminum producers—such as EVRAZ, Algoma Steel Inc., ArcelorMittal, Elysis (Alcoa Corporation and Rio Tinto Aluminum joint venture), Alcoa (in French), Aluminerie Alouette, Nova Tube Inc., Gerdau Ameristeel and Tenaris—are ensuring they continue to provide thousands of Canadians with good middle-class jobs and remain important contributors to our economy and manufacturing supply chains.

Quotes

"We are committed to supporting Canadian steel workers and the innovative, world-class products they produce. Our investment in Stelco will help strengthen the competitiveness of the steel sector for years to come, maintain Canada's position in the global market and support jobs for middle-class Canadians."
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors 

"Canadian steel producers and workers form the economic backbone of communities across our country. This investment will support almost 2,300 jobs at Stelco and help it upgrade its facilities to become more competitive and expand its market reach."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development 

"Stelco has a proud history of bringing innovation to market by revolutionizing the steelmaking process and through the products we develop for our customers. Through this partnership with the Government of Canada, we intend to continue that tradition by modernizing our facilities and empowering our 2,300 employees to manufacture the next generation of steel products our customers demand."
– David Cheney, Chief Executive Officer, Stelco    

Quick facts

• Stelco is an Ontario-based, fully integrated steel company specializing in the production of the next generation of flat-rolled steel used by the automotive, construction and energy sectors.
• In 2018, the Canadian steel industry employed more than 23,000 Canadians and contributed $4.3 billion to Canada's gross domestic product. This industry is a vital supplier to the Canadian manufacturing, energy, automotive and construction industries.
• This investment is being made through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a program designed to attract and support high-quality business investments across all sectors of the economy by encouraging R&D that will accelerate the transfer of technology and the commercialization of innovative products, processes and services and will facilitate the growth of innovative firms.
• In addition to the Strategic Innovation Fund, there are hundreds of programs and services to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy. With a simple, story-based user interface, the Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about two minutes.

Associated links

• Strategic Innovation Fund
• Government of Canada announces support for more than 2,100 Canadian steel workers in western Canada
• Government support ensures jobs for over 3,000 steel workers in Sault Ste. Marie
• Government announces support for 6,400 Canadian steel workers in Ontario and Quebec
• Alcoa and Rio Tinto announce world's first carbon-free aluminum smelting process
• Government of Canada announces support for the aluminum sector in Quebec
• Government of Canada announces support for at least 830 aluminum sector workers in the Côte-Nord region
• Government of Canada announces support for 108 Canadian steel workers in Quebec
• Parliamentary Secretary O'Connell announces support for more than 818 Canadian steel workers in southern Ontario
• Minister Blair announces support for over 600 steel workers in northern Ontario and Alberta

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Dani Keenan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-1710; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [e-mail]