ArcelorMittal leads delegation on Parliament Hill
June 1, 2010
Team has three-day slate of policy meetings to discuss the future of the Canadian Steel Sector
Hamilton, Ontario: President and CEO Juergen Schachler is leading an ArcelorMittal Dofasco delegation in Ottawa this week to meet with Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior officials as part of Steel Days on Parliament Hill.
ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s team, along with the Canadian Steel Producers Association and other industry players are meeting with nearly 40 Members of Parliament as well as senior officials to discuss Canada’s steel industry, its economic and environmental performance and how steel will contribute to a more innovative, green and sustainable future.
An annual event, Steel Days draws attention to steel as the foundation for a strong manufacturing sector. The Canadian steel sector employs 30,000 Canadians directly and another 100,000 indirectly. Canadian firms produce approximately $14 billion in sales and $7 billion in exports.
“Few Canadians realize the significant transformation that steel has undergone,” Schachler said. “Steel is the driver for advanced manufacturing and a key component of the economy moving forward. Steel Days is an opportunity to talk to members of government to ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of the competitive global landscape, ensuring jobs and regional prosperity.”
Locally, the steel sector employs 26,000 directly and indirectly and contributes more than $400 million to the local economy. The Golden Horseshoe is also a hub for apprentice training, with ArcelorMittal investing $5 million per year to train next-generation manufacturing employees. In addition, through its Community Strength program ArcelorMittal Dofasco has a long and rich heritage as a corporate leader, supporting more than 100 organizations with donations of $12 million to community initiatives over the past decade.
Released in conjunction with Steel Days, a recent study by Dr. Peter Warrian at the University of Toronto considered the importance of steel to Canada’s economy. The study points to steel as a leader in the advanced manufacturing sector, spearheading regional manufacturing and technology clusters that create economic prosperity.
The technical advances in steel are large and pervasive, with steel being a key component of the green economy. Steel is a major material in the manufacturing of solar panels and wind turbines and its technical advances have allowed for automobiles to be 25% lighter, requiring less fuel to power. Steel is also the most recyclable product in the world.
During Steel Days, Schachler and team will focus on five key policy areas to ensure that Canada, and the Golden Horseshoe, remain a competitive jurisdiction for the steel sector. The policy areas include: pro-manufacturing policies, innovation and skills, international business, environmental measures and infrastructure and transportation.
ArcelorMittal is the world’s No. 1 steel company with 320,000 employees in 60 countries. ArcelorMittal Dofasco is a leading North American steel producer and supplier of high quality flat rolled steels.
June 1, 2010
For information contact:
Andrew Sloan, General Manager
Public Affairs
T (905) 979-6093
andrew.sloan@arcelormittal.com
Marie Verdun, Senior Specialist
Public Affairs
T (905) 971-4470
marie.verdun@arcelormittal.com
news release