Workers at the Hamilton steel facility operated by Stelco Holdings Inc. will face layoffs as the company plans to halt its finishing operations in the area.
Stelco mentioned in a statement to on Monday that it is shifting its steel production focus to its Lake Erie Works plant located in Haldimand, Ont.
The company stated that job openings at the Haldimand facility will be extended to those laid off from Hamilton.
“We anticipate that many of the employees impacted by the indefinite shutdown at Hamilton should be accommodated at Lake Erie Works,” the company shared in a statement.
The United Steelworkers Local 1005, representing workers at the plant, informed that they were told by Stelco that U. S. tariffs on steel and reduced imports from other nations were contributing factors behind the layoffs.
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The union indicated that they were informed by the company that around 500 production workers would lose their jobs. However, union local president Ron Wells believes actual job losses will be closer to 350.
In an interview, Wells noted that operations in both the cold-mill and coated departments would be impacted according to what Stelco conveyed to them.
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Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories. “It’s extremely devastating,” Wells remarked. A year-and-a-half ago, U. S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel products of up to 50 percent under Section 232 duties, with similar measures affecting aluminum and autos as well. Wells mentioned that Stelco claimed prices for coated products have been “very low” due to these ongoing tariffs. “So they’re telling us they can’t make money under these conditions,” he added. According to Stelco, total steel production won’t change significantly; however, there will be a shift in product types “with a higher concentration of hot rolled steel products.” The counter-tariffs implemented by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government and quotas on foreign steel are not “strong enough,” said Wells. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., based in the U. S., took over Stelco in 2024. More on Canada More videos The office of federal Industry Minister Melanie Joly released a statement saying that the government intends to use “every lever possible” to support Canadian industry, protect jobs, and ensure supply chain security. Story continues below “For some time now, our government has made it clear we are ready and willing to provide financial assistance to help sustain operations and safeguard jobs,” read the statement. “The company’s choice to dismiss these practical proposals and proceed with layoffs is incredibly disappointing.” Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli also expressed his concern for employees at the Hamilton site. “This is certainly a significant blow for all those hardworking men and women who showed up this morning only to hear this news,” Fedeli commented.
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