The Saskatchewan government says Crown corporations are supporting the province’s steelworkers by buying local steel.
It says SaskPower, the electrical utility, has negotiated with Evraz North America to purchase 10,000 tons of steel from the company’s mill in Regina.
The steel is to be used for the construction of transmission structures and other infrastructure.
SaskEnergy, the gas utility, has also purchased 125 kilometres of steel pipe for a new power plant near Lanigan, southeast of Saskatoon.
The province says in the first three fiscal quarters of last year, Crown corporations have awarded $1.2 billion to Saskatchewan suppliers for projects.
Saskatchewan’s support for the sector comes after U.S. President Donald Trump recently imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.