Government of Canada announces support for more than 2,100 Canadian steel workers in western Canada Français
Government of Canada fulfilling its commitment to protect Canadian steel workers and Canadian interests
REGINA, March 6, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada stands with hard-working steel and aluminum workers, their families and their communities. In these challenging times, the government is delivering on our commitment to support the steel manufacturing sector and its workers.
Today the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced a $40-million investment in a $112.6-million project that will create 35 jobs and maintain more than 2,100 more in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Red Deer, Alberta.
This investment will help EVRAZ North America Inc. make numerous upgrades to its facilities in western Canada and increase its competitiveness in serving the oil country tubular goods (OCTG) market while decreasing emissions and the overall carbon footprint of Canadian steel. This will enable the company to produce valued-added OCTG products that match Canadian market demand and make them available at a competitive price to Canadian resource firms that, like EVRAZ, are facing shortages owing to the cost-prohibitive effects of U.S. tariffs.
The government's investments in Canada's world-class steel and aluminum producers, such as EVRAZ, Algoma Steel Inc., ArcelorMittal, Alcoa Corporation and Rio Tinto Aluminum, are ensuring they continue to provide thousands of Canadians with good middle-class jobs and remain important contributors to our economy and manufacturing supply chains.
Quotes
"We committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with Canadian steel workers and supporting the innovative, world-class products they produce. We are delivering. Our investment in EVRAZ will help strengthen the competitiveness of Regina's steel plant for years to come, maintain Canada's position in the global market and support middle-class jobs for Canadians."
– The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
"Canadian steel producers and workers form the economic backbone of communities across our country. In the face of unfair and unjust U.S. tariffs, our government is keeping its promise to support Canada's steel producers and their thousands of workers. This investment will support 2,100 jobs at EVRAZ and help it upgrade its facilities to become more competitive and expand its market reach."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Quick facts
- EVRAZ North America Inc. is the largest steel company in western Canada, making steel plate and coil, small- and large-diameter pipe, and oil and gas well tubing for the energy sector.
- In 2017, the Canadian steel industry employed more than 23,000 Canadians and contributed $4.2 billion to Canada's gross domestic product. This industry is a vital supplier to the Canadian manufacturing, energy, automotive and construction industries.
- This investment is being made through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a program designed to attract and support high-quality business investments across all sectors of the economy by encouraging R&D that will accelerate the transfer of technology and the commercialization of innovative products, processes, and services and will facilitate the growth of innovative firms.
- In addition to the Strategic Innovation Fund, there are hundreds of programs and services to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy. With a simple, story-based user interface, the Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about two minutes.
Associated links
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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Dani Keenan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-1710; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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