Today, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili defended jobs in Canadian steel as 500 jobs are in danger as Evraz steel mill in Regina is set to lay off workers. Orders at the steel mill are declining due to governments choosing to use offshore steel in domestic projects and lower demand from the oil and gas industry.
“Hardworking families are being left behind by the federal government, and Scott Moe is doing nothing to put Saskatchewan workers first,” said Meili. “If I am elected Premier on October 26, I will push Justin Trudeau to deliver a fair deal for workers that ensures Canadian steel is used for major infrastructure projects in Canada, including the crucial pipelines that are necessary to get our oil and gas resources to market.”
“The steel that Canada needs can and should be made right here in Regina, by some of the hardest-working men and women in the world,” said USW 5890 President Mike Day. “The clock is ticking for up to 500 mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who live and work right here in Saskatchewan. We need action now.”
“I’m pleased to see Ryan Meili and the Saskatchewan NDP taking action to protect steel jobs in Saskatchewan,” stated Stephen Hunt, United Steelworkers Western Canada Director. “Buying Canadian will keep good jobs in the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when it’s critically important to support domestic manufacturers. If we lose jobs at Evraz, everyone in the community will lose as these workers support local businesses by spending money earned at their good-paying unionized jobs.”
“The ten biggest infrastructure projects in the last ten years under the Sask. Party have all gone to companies outside of Saskatchewan and even outside of Canada,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “Before COVID-19 hit, that was a mistake, right now it is downright reckless. Scott Moe needs to get on the phone to his buddy Jason Kenney and make sure he understands the stakes because jobs and livelihoods of our friends and neighbours in Regina are at risk through no fault of their own.”
Wotherspoon also called on the Sask. Party to commit to using Saskatchewan steel in replacement lines for SaskEnergy. “When we’re spending our dollars on our infrastructure, we should be using our companies, our workers, and our products – grown, mined and manufactured right here in Saskatchewan.”
On October 26, Steelworkers are encouraged to vote to protect steel jobs in Saskatchewan.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Layoffs coming at Nova Tube, more uncertainty in the steel sector MONTREAL – The United Steelworkers union (USW) is publicly asking how many more jobs must be lost, or steel plants closed, before the federal government takes stronger action to crack down on unfair trade that is harming Canada’s steel industry. The USW has learned […]
USW District 3 welcomes the BC Federation of Labour’s declaration of a hot edict on mineral products and by-products from Teck’s Highland Valley Copper operation. This is a powerful show of solidarity with more than 1,200 members of USW Local 7619 who have been on strike since October 24, fighting for fair wages, pensions, adequate […]
TORONTO – The United Steelworkers union (USW) issued the following statement in response to the federal budget 2026: “The United Steelworkers welcomes federal investments in Canada’s forestry and wood products sector, as well as in the critical minerals industry. These are important steps toward the industrial strategy Canada needs. But we cannot build the industries […]