Premier Doug Ford responds to Windsor, Ont. steel rally

Union leaders and steelworkers call for Canadian-made steel to be used locally. Seen in Windsor, Ont. on Oct. 10, 2025. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

Premier Doug Ford has responded to a steel rally that took place in Windsor, Ont. on Friday.

The rally protested the use of Korean-made steel, used in the E.C. Row Expressway and Banwell Road overpass project.

In a statement to CTV News, Ford said:

“Instead of standing up for Ontario’s world class steel industry in the face of President Trump’s tariffs, Mr. (Barry) Zekelman has repeatedly turned his back on steel workers. In 2018, he said he wished Trump’s tariffs on steel were higher. In 2022, he was fined for donating $1.75 million to trump, and this summer, he stated that he ‘understands Trump’s motives behind the tariffs’ – tariffs that are taking direct aim at our economy, costing the Ontario steel industry millions and putting the livelihoods of thousands of workers at risk.

Our government has been clear, we expect all public services, provincial agencies and municipalities to prioritize Ontario and Canadian companies in procurement, especially when it comes to projects our government is funding through out $200 billion plan to build. We will take every opportunity to use Ontario steel and continue to ensure Ontario tax dollars are used to support Ontario workers.

The procurement partners in this case were selected by the city."

In response to the Premier’s comments, Zekelman said they “talk a big game, but don’t walk the game.”

“Proof is in the pudding. Korean beams pounded into our soil when it could be Canadian steel. There is no single company or person in Canada who has stood up and fought harder for Canadian steel and buys more Canadian steel than me,” said Zekelman.

“For them to say that is absolutely ridiculous.”

Zekelman said he financially donates to both Canadian and American politicians.

“We made that donation (to Trump). I forwarded an email for that donation. And because I’m Canadian I wasn’t allowed to do that,” he said.

“I’m a big man, I’m a big boy. We correct our mistakes, and we don’t do it again. I said this repeatedly and the U.S. will say the same thing. We need to block out the other illegally traded and dumped imports that come into Canada that undermine the Canadian steel industry, forcing us to then ship our product to the closest, most viable market, which is the U.S. That’s why the U.S. views us as a threat.”

Zekelman said he advocates for Trump’s policies and what those policies are doing for the U.S.

“I just wish our Canadian politicians would take on some of those same policies and fight just as hard for Canada and then link up with the U.S. and be a great neighbor, a great trading partner, and get back to a good relationship with them,” he said.

His final message to Canadian politicians is to stand up and do the right thing.

“Fight for Canada.”

On Friday, Zekelman, who is the head of Zekelman Industries, which runs Atlas Tube Steel in Harrow, said ‘pounding foreign steel into our soil defies logic and common sense.’

“Every time I hear that hammer hit, it’s like driving a stake in my heart and my gut. It’s terrible,” Zekelman said.

More to come.

- With files from CTV Windsor’s Sanjay Maru.