Oct 22, 2026 2:46 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has issued a 15-day ultimatum to Cleveland-Cliffs, the U.S. parent company of Hamilton-based steelmaker Stelco, demanding that it reinstate approximately 500 laid-off workers or face legal action.
The federal government says Cleveland-Cliffs agreed not to carry out layoffs in Canada until 2029 when it acquired Stelco in 2024. However, the company has defended the job cuts by citing tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian steel.
Joly has warned that the government could take the matter to court, potentially forcing Cleveland-Cliffs to give up its stake in the Canadian steelmaker. The dispute centres on whether the company has violated the commitments it made to Ottawa as part of the acquisition agreement.

