New Federal Measures to Strengthen Hamilton’s Steel Industry and Protect Local Jobs

Hamilton, ON — Member of Parliament John-Paul Danko welcomed today’s federal announcement introducing stronger protections for Canada’s steel industry, including tighter import controls, Buy Canadian procurement rules, and new worker supports—measures that will directly benefit steelworkers and manufacturers in Hamilton, home to ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Stelco, and thousands of good-paying industrial jobs.

Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu was in Hamilton today to announce major new federal measures to protect Canada’s steel industry and local jobs. The announcement was made alongside local Members of Parliament John-Paul Danko, Lisa Hepfner, and Aslam Rana, Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ron Bedard, and executives and workers from ArcelorMittal Dofasco.

The announcement includes reduced import quotas, a 25 per cent tariff on targeted steel-derivative products, and enhanced enforcement against unfair trade practices, helping ensure Canadian steel producers can compete on a level playing field. New federal procurement and housing programs will prioritize Canadian steel, creating stable domestic demand for Hamilton-made products.

Dofasco CEO Ron Bedard said the support “is critical,” highlighting the federal response to an “unprecedented” trade war and noting the announcement will help protect the “thousands of people that work here every day.”

Local producers will also benefit from a 50 per cent reduction in interprovincial rail freight rates beginning in Spring 2026, lowering transportation costs and improving competitiveness across Canadian markets. To support workers during market transitions, the federal government is expanding work-sharing and training programs to help keep skilled workers employed.

Hamilton is the heart of Canada’s steel sector, with more than 10,000 local jobs directly tied to steelmaking and an additional 40,000 jobs supported through related manufacturing, fabrication, transportation, and supply-chain industries. The measures announced today are critical to ensuring fair competition, stable demand for Canadian steel, and long-term security for workers and their families.

Mayor Andrea Horwath called the announcement “one of the most important things I’ve seen coming from our federal government,” saying the breadth of supports “is going to literally save our steel industry.”

For Hamilton workers and the regional economy, this announcement represents a decisive step toward protecting good-paying industrial jobs, strengthening domestic supply chains, and reinforcing Hamilton’s role as Canada’s steel capital.

“Hamilton families rely on the Canadian steel industry. With continued indifference by the Trump administration, our government is taking decisive action to protect the livelihood of Canadian steelworkers," Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas MP John Paul Danko said in a news release Wednesday. "By standing up to unfair US tariffs and enhancing our domestic market, we’re protecting good jobs and securing a strong future for Hamilton families.” Read more here

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