Controversy Erupts Over 500 Stelco Job Cuts as Minister Joly and U.S. Company Clash

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and the American owner of Stelco are engaged in a war of words over planned job cuts at the company’s Hamilton and Nanticoke plants in Ontario.

Joly recently warned the company against laying off nearly 500 workers at the two facilities. In response, Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves accused the minister of bullying and harassment.

Goncalves said the Canadian government’s threats were completely unreasonable, adding that the company was not violating any agreements. He defended the planned layoffs, saying they were temporary and driven by business conditions.

Joly had warned that if job cuts at Stelco continued, the American company could be forced to exit its Canadian operations.