Hamilton looks to source local steel for city projects in face of ‘troubling’ business slowdown, mayor says [Video]

Mayor Andrea Horwath says steel is the “beating heart” of Hamilton, and that’s why, in the face of U.S. tariffs, she’s urging all levels of government to start prioritizing its use in public infrastructure projects.

City council unanimously voted in favour of her motion Wednesday directing city staff to undertake eight initiatives to “strengthen local procurement and resilience amid U.S. tariff threats.” 

The actions range from the city changing its procurement process to prioritize bids using steel made in Hamilton to calling on upper levels of government to do the same for their public infrastructure projects. 

Horwath told council she’s spent the last couple of “busy days” talking to steel producers, fabricators and workers, as well as government officials, which informed her motion. 

“And its very clear there’s a worry out there,” Horwath said. “We don’t know what’s happening. We don’t know what might come next.” 

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