Feds provide up to $420M to make Algoma Steel 'greenest' steel producer
With election buzz in the air, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday the government will provide Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie up to $420 million to become the "greenest" flat-rolled steel producer in Canada.
Trudeau was in the Sault to make the announcement, along with François Phillippe Champagne, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
The funding will help with Algoma Steel’s proposed transformation to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking.
“With new state of the art equipment, Algoma Steel will transition to electric arc furnace production, giving them an even greater competitive edge over imported steel," Trudeau said. "That’s not just good for business -- that’s good for the environment.”
The money includes up to $200 million from the Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund through the Net Zero Accelerator "to rapidly expedite decarbonization projects and accelerate Canada's industrial transformation," the federal government said in a news release.
"Under an investment agreement in principle, the Canada Infrastructure Bank is committing a further $220 million towards the project. The funding will be provided over four years and will support thousands of very good direct and indirect jobs in Sault Ste. Marie and the Province of Ontario, and ensure green steel products are available for inclusion in automobiles, consumer products, and renewed infrastructure that utilizes Algoma steel."
The transformation could reduce Algoma's carbon emissions by as much as 70 per cent, making the project among the lowest-cost-per-tonne of GHG reduction in Canada.
"When combined with Ontario’s low-carbon power, Algoma Steel will be positioned as the greenest producer of flat-rolled steel in Canada, and among the greenest in North America," the release said.
Algoma has important history in the Sault
Christian Provenzano, mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, said Algoma is an integral part of the city's history.
“Many of us here in Sault Ste. Marie can trace our history, our families’ stories, directly or indirectly, to the operation of this steel plant," Provenzano said. "My family would not be here but if for Algoma Steel. It has been the economic life blood of this community for well over a century.”
Michael McQuade, CEO of Algoma Steel said the funds will help lead Canada to a "net-zero" economy.
"And (it's) so very important as we look to make our proposed transformation to EAF steelmaking a reality," McQuade said in the release.
"We were honoured to host Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Champagne today and we took to the opportunity to showcase our new No. 2 Ladle Metallurgy Furnace, another significant milestone in Algoma Steel’s transformation journey, which we commissioned this past February.
"The momentum is building on our path to our enhanced sustainability, with the promise of good secure jobs and a greener future for our community and our customers.”
- With files from Mike McDonald
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.