Poilievre unveils five-point steel plan, urges Ottawa to sue Stelco’s U.S. owner

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is urging Ottawa to sue Stelco's American owner, Stelco, as soon as Monday as part of a five-point plan to shield Canada's ailing steel industry. Poilievre unveiled the plan in Burlington, Ontario, on Friday, near Stelco's Hamilton operations where layoffs have commenced following the announcement of up to 500 potential job losses.

The Conservative leader outlined his plan, which calls for an immediate legal action against Stelco's American owner, aiming to either bring back workers, restart production, or force the steelmaker's sale to a Canadian owner capable of resuming operations. Poilievre contends that Cleveland-Cliffs, Stelco's parent company, breached its commitments to preserve unionized jobs and maintain most non-unionized positions for five years when it acquired Stelco. He believes Stelco should face legal consequences for violating these promises.

Poilievre's five-point plan extends beyond legal action, advocating for the elimination of the industrial carbon tax, stricter measures against Chinese steel imports, the acceleration of liquefied natural gas projects, and the negotiation of a tariff-free trade agreement with the United States. He also addressed Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves, reminding him of previous promises to recall laid-off workers if Canada and the US reach a trade deal, demanding that the negotiations resume.