NDP Leader to Prime Minister: Nationalize Stelco to Save Canada’s Steel Industry

NDP Leader Avi Lewis made the following statement:

"Canada cannot afford to lose its steel industry. That’s why today I am calling on Prime Minister Carney to nationalize Stelco and protect the jobs and industry our country depends on.

Stelco’s American owners have broken legally-binding commitments that they agreed to when they purchased the company in 2024, including maintaining at least the same number of unionized workers and most non-unionized employees. Their CEO is a supporter of Trump’s tariffs, which are designed to deindustrialize our economy and destroy our manufacturing base.

As a result, 500 workers in Hamilton are facing layoffs, with the first notices issued over the Thanksgiving long weekend. When workers should have been celebrating the holiday with their loved ones, they were instead left to wonder how they’ll continue to provide for them.

It’s a positive sign that the federal government is preparing to take legal action, but a court process will take years to resolve. If we’re serious about saving these jobs and the Canadian steel industry, we need immediate action. That action must include nationalizing the plant.

It can be done. This past July, the UK Government nationalized British Steel to protect thousands of jobs. They recognized what we in the NDP recognize – that once our steel industry is gone, it’s gone forever.

We cannot let that happen. You don’t save Canada by allowing American investors to dismantle steel production in this country piece by piece. It’s time for the Liberal government to take back control of our industry by nationalizing Stelco."