NDP Statement on Steel Safeguard Ruling

NDP International Trade Critic Tracey Ramsey issued the following statement:

“The steel sector is a vital contributor to Canada’s economy, providing good-paying and community-building jobs. The hits our steel industry has taken over the past several years due to the illegal dumping of cheap, dirty steel by other countries is hurting our workers, their families and communities.

This is on top of the unfair tariffs imposed by President Trump in the new NAFTA deal that are already costing jobs and forcing businesses to close shop. Canadian workers and their families can’t afford to have another blow to our world-class steel facilities.

While it is imperative that the Liberal government do everything it can to remove these tariffs, we also call on Minister Morneau to impose permanent safeguard measures to protect steel jobs immediately. Despite the recent ruling from the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT), our steel sector remains vulnerable without these provisions in place.

It is now urgent for Minister Morneau to override the CITT decision and make the steel safeguard measures final before the deadline at the end of May 2019.

We urge Minister Morneau to follow the lead taken by the European Union and ensure that the 23,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs in the steel sector are protected in Canada. The stability of our steel market depends on immediate action. Canadian workers and businesses cannot wait any longer; people’s jobs are at stake.”