Stelco didn’t apply for Ontario tariff aid before laying off up to 500 workers, says finance minister - Toronto Star

Workers are “sick and tired of seeing these Protect Ontario ads but not seeing any workers protected,” said MPP Jamie West of the layoffs.

The Stelco steel mill in Hamilton, Ontario, is pictured on Sept. 28. 

Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says Stelco didn’t apply for any provincial tariff relief before laying off hundreds of workers, a decision the head of a steelworkers union called shocking.

Bethlenfalvy said Tuesday that Stelco did not apply for aid aimed at businesses hit hard by Donald Trump’s tariffs before deciding to shut its cold mill and coating lines in Hamilton effective Oct. 9, leaving up to 500 workers facing layoffs.

“They weren’t interested, is my understanding,” he told reporters at the legislature, a day after Stelco’s announcement.

Stelco parent company Cleveland-Cliffs didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

Steelmaker will shut Hamilton cold mill and coating lines Oct. 9, with job losses spreading to Nanticoke.