Canada's industry minister, Mélanie Joly, has given Cleveland-Cliffs, the Ohio-based owner of Hamilton steelmaker Stelco, 15 days to reverse planned layoffs or face legal action, CBC News reports.
In a demand letter sent on Thursday, Joly said the company was breaking commitments it made under the Investment Canada Act when it bought Stelco in 2024, including keeping union staffing at the same level until 2029. If it does not comply, the government could ask a court to impose financial penalties and possibly order the company to sell Stelco.
Cleveland-Cliffs said last month it would temporarily lay off up to 500 workers as it idles some production, blaming US tariffs on steel for squeezing sales. Joly rejected that argument, saying changing market conditions did not cancel the company's obligations. CBC said it had asked Cleveland-Cliffs for comment.
Source: CBC News
