Minister Freeland says industry leaders agree to build with as much Canadian steel and aluminum as possible
The federal government's plan to "build Canada" is going to require "a lot of steel," and "a lot of aluminum," Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday. And, she said, industry leaders in rail, maritime and ship-building agree as much of that steel and aluminum as possible should come from Canada.
Freeland spoke to reporters outside the office of steelmaker ArcelorMittal Dofasco in Hamilton's industrial sector following a private meeting about building Canadian ferries and rail infrastructure. She said the meeting involved representatives from those sectors, steel companies, related unions and elected officials including Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Some participants were in-person and others, like the premier, attended virtually.
"This was about really putting them together with the steel industry, putting them together with the aluminum industry, to be sure that as you're building Canada, we are using Canadian steel, we are using Canadian aluminum," Freeland said.
She did not share details or forthcoming actions but said the meeting was "productive" and "practical." Participants discussed existing barriers to building in Canada and how the government can help, Freeland said.
Freeland spoke alongside local Liberal MPs Aslam Rana (Hamilton Centre), John-Paul Danko (Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas), Lisa Hepfner (Hamilton Mountain) and Sima Acan (Oakville West) as well as Etobicoke North MP John Zerucelli, who is the Secretary of State for Labour.
When asked about a recent decision by B.C. Ferries to purchase Chinese-built ships, Freeland said she was "encouraged and inspired" by the enthusiasm she heard for building more in Canada.
She added Ontario builders will be part of that effort.
Canadian-made steel and aluminum faces a 50-per-cent tariff at the U.S. border. In response to the ongoing trade war, labour, industrial and political leaders have suggested bolstering the Canadian market, including in Hamilton.
In response, Canada placed duties on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. Many of those tariffs were removed as of Monday, though some remain on non-CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement)-compliant goods — including steel and aluminum products.
The federal government has pledged related supports, such as a three-year, $450-million program to help businesses overcome trade challenges, which Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, announced while visiting Hamilton manufacturer Hooper Welding in late August.
cbc.ca
