The Parliamentary Steel Caucus
Mike Wallace, MP Chairman

The Parliamentary Steel Caucus is the oldest non partisan caucus of the Canadian Parliament. It started with Bill Kempling (MP, Burlington) at a time when the Canadian Steel Industry was at odds with Washington and MPs came to provide an additional interface with US Congressman. This was generally to the advantage of Canada and the Canadian Steel Industry. The visits back and forth between Washington and Ottawa were few but the continual dialogue has been very helpful in the past.

The Steel Caucus has usually comprised about a dozen members from steel making areas – Contrecoeur QC, Whitby, Burlington, Hamilton, Haldimand-Norfolk, Cambridge and Sault Ste. Marie ON, Selkirk MB, Regina SK, and Edmonton AB. Cabinet Ministers are not normally invited to join the Caucus because of their busier schedule and because the Caucus often evolves into an advocate for the industry on policy issues – for example, taxation or the environment.

Historically, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Steel Caucus has been a Government member and usually from a constituency that has a steel interest – either the production or the employment. Recently there have been two vice-Chairmen – one from the Bloc and one from the NDP. Past chairs of the Steel Caucus have included Bob Speller, Marlene Jennings, Carmen Provenzano, Tony Valeri and most recently John Maloney.

Mike was approached by the Canadian Steel Producers Association and local companies such as Dofasco and Stelco, who were interested in having him take a leadership role; the Chairmanship. Mike accepted their nominations, and will be formally taking over the Chairmanship at a meeting in early May.

The role of the Chairman is fairly unique in that he is encouraged to get support from Opposition colleagues on policy matters.

“I’m really excited as a new MP to get this unique political experience and to play a leading role in this important non partisan body. I look forward to learning more about steel making and the scale of the issues facing the industry today”