Canadian chamber backs local steel resolution.

The steel industry gained the backing of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) in September, with the passing of a resolution designed to help lobby the federal government for support.

A resolution put forward by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce--in concert with the Hamilton and Windsor-Essex Chambers of Commerce--was adopted during the CCC's annual general meeting in Regina, Sask., held Sept. 17-19.

"We've all seen the direct correlation that the steel industry has on almost every other business in our community," said Paul Johnson, the Sault chamber's president, in a release.

"When the steel industry suffers a downturn, every other business sector in our city feels the ramifications, from trades to suppliers and the service sector, which relies on the jobs created by the industry."

The resolution makes several recommendations, including:

* develop a coordinated steel manufacturing strategy;

* prioritize allocation of carbon pricing revenue to help incentivize energy-intensive industries like steel and evaluate expanding the free allowance coverage under carbon pricing programs to minimize uncertainty, delay and costs;

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