NDP Leader Ryan Meili and NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon were joined by Mike Day, president of United Steelworkers Local 5890 to call for action in defence of jobs in Canadian steel, as the union raises concerns about up to 500 jobs in danger at the Evraz steel mill in Regina.

“Hardworking families are being left behind by the federal government, and Scott Moe is doing nothing to put Saskatchean workers first,” said Meili. “If I am elected Premier on October 26, I will push Justin Trudeau to deliver a fair deal for workers that ensures Canadian steel is used for major infrastructure projects in Canada, including the crucial pipelines that are necessary to get our oil and gas resources to market.”

Wotherspoon noted that the Sask. Party has a poor track record on keeping good jobs in Saskatchewan.

“The ten biggest infrastructure projects in the last ten years under the Sask. Party have all gone to companies outside of Saskatchewan and even outside of Canada,” said Wotherspoon. “Before COVID-19 hit, that was a mistake, right now it is downright reckless. Scott Moe needs to get on the phone to his buddy Jason Kenney and make sure he understands the stakes, because jobs and livelihoods of our friends and neighbours in Regina are at risk through no fault of their own.”

Wotherspoon also called on the Sask. Party to commit to using Saskatchewan steel in replacement lines for SaskEnergy. “When we’re spending our dollars on our infrastructure, we should be using our companies, our workers, and our products – grown, mined and manufactured right here in Saskatchewan.” 

“The steel that Canada needs can and should be made right here in Regina, by some of the hardest-working men and women in the world,” said USW 5890 President Mike Day. “The clock is ticking for up to 500 mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who live and work right here in Saskatchewan. We need action now.”