President of USW Local 9548 Cody Alexander (centre of photo) met with several Cabinet Ministers while in Ottawa, including Minister Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, (left) who praised Alexander and the union movement for their leadership in promoting gender equality. Alexander thanked Sault MP Terry Sheehan for his continuing support.

Supplied by Sault MP Terry Sheehan…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) Friday, December 8, 2017 – This week, Sault MP Terry Sheehan met with USW Local 9548 President Cody Alexander of Tenaris, who was in Ottawa to testify at a hearing of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal regarding the serious steel dumping issue in Canadian markets.
A modern and effective trade remedy system is an important part of the Government’s commitment to protect Canadian jobs and investment, which is integral to supporting economic opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
Building on the measures in Budget 2016, the Government held public consultations on ways to enhance the trade remedy system. In response, Budget 2017 made changes to Canada’s trade remedy system that improves enforcement and transparency.
· Particular market situation: The Government is acting on a key ask of the steel industry- new tools to address price distortions, to provide more effective protection from dumped goods.
· Anti-circumvention: The Government is providing new tools to deal with circumvention of trade remedy duties (e.g. where exporters try to avoid duties)
· Scope rulings: Domestic producers will now have a say in whether a particular product is subject to trade remedy duties, to ensure proper enforcement and application of duties.
· Union participation: Unions will be able to participate in trade remedy investigations- so they can make their views known when unfair trade practices affect jobs in Canada.
Because of changes made by the Liberal Government in Budget 2017, including recognizing that labour unions have an important perspective to bring to trade remedy investigations, Mr. Alexander was able to participate in a process designed to strengthen domestic industries when it comes to international trade.
Sheehan has worked hard to advocate for the steel industry at every opportunity. He notes that by giving workers, companies and unions “a seat at the table” Canada has made concrete advances over the last year in protecting our industry.
“We can’t just have politicians deciding what’s best for our industries. I want to talk with my constituents, hear their concerns and get them in front of the Cabinet Ministers who can hear from them directly. That’s why I’m here–to make things better for people back home,” Sheehan said.
Mr. Alexander was able to meet with several Cabinet Ministers while in Ottawa, including Minister Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, who praised Mr. Alexander and the union movement for their leadership in promoting gender equality.
“I had a very informative discussion with Terry during my visit to Ottawa, about steel and trade. It is great to know that our community and our local steel industry have Terry working hard for us all in Ottawa. His Government’s support is going to be paramount to our continued success in the CITT, fighting against foreign dumped steel products. USW 9548 thanks Terry for the continued support,” Alexander said.