Joly demands Stelco recall laid-off workers “immediately” before she meets its owner

In a letter to Stelco's president, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says she will sit down with its executives only if workers are recalled immediately. She expects a “concrete and credible plan” to bring them back.

“The workers who have been laid off or received layoff notices must be recalled immediately.”

— Industry Minister Mélanie Joly

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the mistake would be Cleveland-Cliffs “not respecting the obligations, the commitments that they made in the acquisition.” He declined to say more, citing a legal process heading to the courts.

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Joly calls the interim compliance report Stelco filed on Oct 26 “far from satisfactory”. Last week she warned that Ottawa will start legal action unless the layoffs are reversed within 15 days, which could end in a forced sale of Stelco.