Story perspectives

Canada orders Stelco to submit job plan or face action

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 6:08 PM UTC · How we work

Center

CEO blames tariff

In October 2026, Stelco, owned by Cleveland-Cliffs, announced up to 500 layoffs at its Hamilton and Nanticoke Ontario plants.
CEO Lourenço Gonçalves blamed the 50% tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump for closing a market and forcing the cuts.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Stelco cannot invoke the tariff as a force-majeure excuse.
The government gave Stelco five days to submit a job-saving plan or face legal action.

Left

Union trust eroded

Cleveland-Cliffs-owned Stelco announced in early October 2026 plans to lay off up to 500 workers at its Hamilton and Nanticoke plants in Ontario.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the government will use powers to force Cleveland-Cliffs to honour the Investment Canada Act.
Ontario pledged $200,000 to help 75 displaced workers upgrade skills and find new jobs.
United Steelworkers Local 1005 president Ron Wells said the layoffs shattered trust in Cleveland-Cliffs.

Blindspot

Ontario announced a $200,000 investment to help 75 displaced Stelco workers upgrade skills and transition to other careers.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

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CEO blames tariff

In October 2026, Stelco, owned by Cleveland-Cliffs, announced up to 500 layoffs at its Hamilton and Nanticoke Ontario plants.
CEO Lourenço Gonçalves blamed the 50% tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump for closing a market and forcing the cuts.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Stelco cannot invoke the tariff as a force-majeure excuse.
The government gave Stelco five days to submit a job-saving plan or face legal action.

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