The United Steelworkers of America wants Ottawa to impose tougher trade restrictions on cheap foreign steel to ensure another wave of imports does not plunge the Canadian steel industry into chaos again.
In a submission to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal prior to three weeks of hearings in June to examine the problem, the 23,000-Canadian member union says Canadian steelmakers need safeguard measures to protect the domestic market from excess steel imports.
The hearings come three months after the U.S. imposed tariffs on cheap foreign steel in an effort to protect their markets. Canada and Mexico are exempt as North American Free Trade partners.
The steelworkers express concern that Canada, without tariffs measures, may become a dumping ground for foreign steel destined for the U.S.
Import steel contributed to the near downfall of Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie which emerged, financially restructured, from bankruptcy protection in January. More than two dozen American steel companies have sought creditor protection in the last two years.
The hearings are expected to last three weeks. A final decision on any trade barriers is expected to be made Aug. 19.
