Ottawa’s tightening steel tariffs rankle Western Canada

Ottawa's latest measures are a godsend for beleaguered Canadian steel producers such as Algoma Steel Group Inc, ArcelorMittal Dofasco and Stelco.

With Canadian steel exports to the United States in free fall, Ottawa has taken a series of escalating steps to shore up demand for the country’s steel mills by restricting imports of foreign-made metal.

These protectionist measures, which will be further tightened in the coming weeks, have been lauded by Canadian steel producers, who have seen their business models upended by U.S. President Donald Trump ’s 50-per-cent steel tariff.

But the measures are also drawing criticism from steel users, particularly in Western Canada, who warn of shortages and rising costs for construction materials and manufacturing inputs if they’re forced to buy fr