Mark Carney Visits Hamilton to Champion Canada’s Steel Industry

On July 16th, 2025 Prime Minister Mark Carney came to Hamilton — the heart of Canada’s steel industry — to show his government’s commitment to Canadian workers and manufacturing. The visit underscored Hamilton’s role not just as a historic steel town, but as a vital part of Canada’s modern industrial future.

Carney toured Walters Group’s Rymal Road East facility, where he met with employees, industry leaders, and local representatives to discuss the challenges facing steel producers. Standing among rows of Canadian-made steel beams, he praised the skill, determination, and innovation of Hamilton’s workforce — calling them “the backbone of Canada’s industrial strength.”

“Hamilton built this country once,” Carney said. “And we’re going to make sure it helps build it again — stronger, cleaner, and more competitive than ever.”

A New Plan for Steel

During the visit, the Prime Minister announced a three-part federal plan to protect and strengthen Canada’s steel industry — a sector hit hard by unfair global competition and recent U.S. tariffs.

1. Protecting Canadian jobs and production: Ottawa will tighten import rules to curb steel dumping and apply new tariffs on foreign products that undercut Canadian producers.

   
   

2. Investing in modernization and workers: Through the Strategic Innovation Fund, the federal government will invest $1 billion to help steel companies upgrade equipment, cut emissions, and stay competitive. An additional $70 million will go toward retraining programs for up to 10,000 workers.

   
   

3. Building with Canadian steel: Updated federal procurement rules will prioritize Canadian-made steel for major public infrastructure projects — ensuring taxpayer dollars support domestic jobs.

   
   

Carney said the goal is to move from a reactive stance — “responding to crises” — to a proactive industrial strategy that builds long-term resilience at home.