Mr. Speaker, today I am honoured to extend a very warm welcome to the members of the Canadian Steel Producers Association as they partake in day two of “steel days” on Parliament Hill.
Its member companies include Sault Ste. Marie's Essar Steel and Tenaris Algoma Tubes. Together with their partners in this association, they annually produce approximately 13 million tonnes of primary steel as well as one million tonnes of steel pipe and products in other Canadian facilities.
This important industry is very dear to the Canadian economy, as it produces $14 billion. Also, the Canadian Steel Producers Association does other important work, such as employing 22,000 middle-class people across the nation. It indirectly employs and creates 100,000 middle-class jobs as well.
I am glad to have this opportunity to welcome this very important association to Parliament today.