Hundreds expected to be laid off at Algoma Steel
As Algoma Steel prepares to lay off a significant number of employees in the wake of a pipe collapse, the federal government is moving to expedite employment insurance claims.
This comes as the local Steelworkers union awaits word on what caused the collapse.
No firm number has been released by Algoma Steel with regard to how many employees will be laid off in the coming days. However, United Steelworkers Local 2251 President Mike Da Prat said he's heard up to 500 workers could receive layoff notices.
"We advised the company that EI should put on an on-site intake because of the large number of people," said Da Prat.
Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan echoed that call, saying he saw a need for an expedited EI application process.
"When I had heard that a quarter, potentially, a quarter of the workforce was going to be laid off, I got on the horn, started making calls, started emailing the minister's office, Service Canada, to make sure that they would do what they call a group intake," said Sheehan, who said presentations by Service Canada staff are already underway at Algoma Steel.
Meantime, Da Prat is waiting on the results of an internal investigation into what led to the pipe collapse.
"We're going to reserve our judgment until the investigation is completed," said Da Prat.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"If the union is satisfied with the investigation, that's one thing. If we're not satisfied with the investigation, we'll go through procedures to try to figure out ourselves."
Da Prat said he can't predict how long the layoffs will last. A request for comment from Algoma Steel was not immediately answered.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk attend rally at same Pennsylvania grounds where gunman tried to assassinate Trump
Donald Trump returned on Saturday to the Pennsylvania fairgrounds where he was nearly assassinated in July, holding a sprawling rally with thousands of supporters in a critical swing state Trump hopes to return to his column in November's election.
'No one has $70,000 dollars lying around': Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.
Vanderbilt takes down AP poll No. 1 Alabama 40-35 in one of college football's greatest upsets
Vanderbilt takes down AP poll No. 1 Alabama 40-35 in historic college football victory.
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico, could intensify as a hurricane threatening Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. It is located 220 miles (355 kilometres) north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico.
Northwestern Ont. woman charged with arson with disregard for human life
A 30-year-old northwestern Ontario woman has been charged with arson following a structure fire Thursday night, police say.