Joly highlights green steel potential during Algoma Steel tour

Mélanie Joly made a site visit to Algoma Steel today to get a first-hand look at the company's first electric arc furnace.

 

The minister of Innovation, Science and Industry made the site visit this morning, meeting with company executives, as well as shaking hands with operators, electricians and supervisors with Sault MP Terry Sheehan by her side.

 

Leading the tour of the company's melt shop was Michael Garcia, CEO of Algoma Steel.

 

Earlier this month, Algoma Steel achieved its first steel production from the electric arc furnace. The furnace was not active during today's visit.

 

The company began construction of two $880-million Danieli-designed furnaces in 2021 to replace its blast furnace and basic oxygen steel-making operations. 

 

Algoma said the EAF will better meet the needs of its customers with a more “green steel” product, using a technology that will reduce the steel plant’s carbon emissions by up to 70 per cent. 

 

Joly's tour of the facility followed meetings between herself and Garcia about the future of Algoma Steel.

 

"We had very constructive conversations and we want to make sure that the steel sector in Canada, which is the crown jewel of our manufacturing sector, is also able to fulfill the needs of Canadians," she said in her brief remarks to the media.

 

Joly said the steel industry is key to the government's plans in investing in the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as meeting the needs for major infrastructure investments.

 

Neither Joly or Algoma Steel executives took questions from the media.

 

In a video interview, Garcia told Village Media's Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti approximately 200 employees have been laid off since U.S. tariffs took effect — and the future of the Sault-based steelmaker remains “very uncertain."

 

Last week SooToday reported that Algoma Steel was requesting $400 to 600 million from the federal government to help with the tariffs. 

 

— with files from Northern Ontario Business