Conservatives fail Canadian steel workers, retirees

The NDP blasted the federal Conservatives today for leaving former Stelco workers and retirees – as well as their families and communities – unprotected in the wake of US Steel Canada filing for bankruptcy protection.

“The Conservatives have failed to stand up for workers and communities in the wake of the foreign takeover of Stelco,” said NDP Leader Tom Mulcair. “The Conservatives haven’t held the company to account to maintain employment. And now, over 2200 more jobs are in jeopardy.”

New Democrats have long called for changes to the Investment Canada Act to ensure promises made by foreign buyers are made public and are strictly enforced. US Steel Canada has repeatedly locked out workers and cut jobs since the 2007 takeover of Stelco.

“Our hearts go out to the thousands of families in Hamilton and Nanticoke impacted by this bankruptcy,” said Mulcair. “For years the NDP has been calling for bankruptcy protection for workers’ pensions. But the Conservatives, like the Liberals before them, have refused to listen. Now 9,000 retirees are facing potentially devastating financial situations.”