Brady implores the “Man of Steel” to protect steelworkers

For immediate release
October 22nd, 2025

QUEEN’S PARK: Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady today stood in the Ontario Legislature to implore Premier Ford to protect the nearly 1,200 steelworkers from Local 8782 at the Stelco mill in Nanticoke. Her strategy includes ripping up Empire Homes’ Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) for the Nanticoke Industrial Park and preparing for the threat of tariffs by repatriating our steel industry and putting a stop to the dumping of foreign steel.

“Let me help the premier understand that right now domestic steel products only serve 35 per cent of the Canadian market,” said Brady. “What we should be doing is ensuring Ontario recaptures the remaining 65 per cent. When was the last time the premier called Stelco’s Canadian president – the guy responsible for Canadian steel, the guy responsible for Canadian jobs?”

Brady suggested the premier focus on things he can control instead of lashing out at Cleveland Cliffs CEO, Lourenco Goncalves saying things like: “I got a problem with that guy; remember he doesn’t support you.” Or how about, “I look forward to getting a phone call from him — I’m going to blast him!” She emphasized outbursts are not helpful and that a deal on steel and aluminum is imminent and that Local 8782 steelworkers want to know if the premier will stop with his vendetta against Mr. Goncalves and focus on what is in his control right here in Ontario.

“We should focus on what we can control at the provincial level. Something like MZOs for example, those are in our wheelhouse and many of you now know, there is an application before this government for a city of 40,000 at the Nanticoke Industrial Park,” said Brady. “A city of this size will put the mill and those 1,200 jobs in jeopardy…Will Ontario’s man of steel, our premier, be a superman for local 8782 and rip apart Empire Homes’ request for an MZO at Nanticoke?”

Premier Ford and Vic Fedeli, Minister of Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, both stood to respond to Brady respectively blasting President Trump and his friendship with Mr. Goncalves, blaming them for killing jobs in Haldimand-Norfolk; and of provincial funding supporting the steel sector. No mention of protecting Stelco jobs at the Nanticoke Industrial Park.