EZRA LEVANT | Steelworkers unite behind the pipeline vision Canada’s politicians keep ignoring

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Rebel News Podcast
Host: Ezra Levant
Episode Title: Steelworkers unite behind the pipeline vision Canada’s politicians keep ignoring
Date: December 11, 2025

In this episode, Ezra Levant travels to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to visit the Algoma Steel mill amidst sweeping layoffs precipitated by US steel tariffs and explores the local steelworkers’ strong support for using Canadian steel—specifically from Algoma—in domestic pipeline projects. The episode features direct conversations with the workers, reflections on political decisions affecting the industry, and a special field report on a recent incident at a Christmas market in Guadeloupe.

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Main Theme & Purpose

Ezra Levant highlights the challenges facing Canadian steelworkers due to international tariffs and government policy, and argues for a pro-steel, pro-pipeline approach as a realistic solution to industry woes. The episode centers on giving voice to steelworkers’ perspectives, challenging government handouts in favor of practical projects, and counters misinformation around recent international incidents.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context: Steel Industry in Crisis (00:00–04:55)

• US Tariffs and Algoma’s Struggles:
  Ezra opens by laying out the crisis:

  • Algoma Steel (Sault Ste. Marie) has faced devastating layoffs—roughly half the company’s workforce (1,000 laid off).
  • Donald Trump’s administration has ramped up tariffs on Canadian steel from 25% to 50%.
  • Despite $500 million in combined provincial and federal government support, the mill's situation remains dire.

• Pipeline Projects as a Solution:

  • Ezra underscores the connection: “Pipelines are made of steel. Algoma makes steel. It seems like a natural fit.” ([00:38])
  • He references major canceled pipeline projects (Northern Gateway, Energy East, Keystone XL) that could have supplied real, private-sector demand for Canadian steel.

• Critique of Subsidies:

  • “What if we came up with a real bona fide project paid for by the private sector that uses steel?... Those [government] giveaways never work, and they certainly never last.” ([03:48])

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2. Steelworkers Speak: Interviews at the Algoma Mill (05:22–13:00)

Ezra and crew arrive at the mill with a billboard truck ("Build steel pipelines"), speaking to workers arriving early in the morning:

• Worker Reactions – Strong Support:

  • “That's great for the community, for Sault Ste. Marie, for Algoma. I love it.” ([06:21], anonymous worker)
  • “Considering steel's not really selling in the States right now, it's a good idea.”
  • “I absolutely agree. I think that's a good idea. Pipelines are made of steel. Algoma makes steel. It seems like a natural fit.” ([07:02])
  • “I just love Canadian steel.” ([07:08])
  • “If you had one message for Alberta, what would you say about oil pipelines and steel? I think go for it 100%. It will help Alberta and help the rest of the country.” ([08:34])

• On Politics and Reality:

  • “Trump cannot put a tariff on a Canadian project.” ([07:45])
  • Only one person disagreed, but even that disagreement centered on disliking Rebel News, not the pipeline idea.

• Ezra's Observation:
  “About 80% of the cars stopped to talk to me... 90%... liked our idea.” ([09:30])

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3. A Skeptic’s Interlude: “You’re just politicizing this” (13:00–15:17)

• Criticism from a Worker:

  • Worker: “You're putting on a show that's despicable... your organization... be a decent journalist... The reason for the layoffs, trashing the CEO's motives, making conspiracies about the liberals, and, like, none of this is based in reality.” ([13:49–14:51])
  • However, even he concedes: “If we can get orders for a pipeline, that's great.”
  • Ezra responds by maintaining his pro-steel stance and explaining his critique of the CEO taking multimillion-dollar compensation while overseeing mass layoffs.

• Ezra’s Philosophical Stance:

  • “I'm a free market guy by nature and I'm not against wealth. When the CEO makes 5.6 million bucks but lays off 1000 workers, I'm going to criticize it.” ([15:03])

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4. Tensions with Algoma Security and Police (15:18–18:52)

• Interaction with Security:

  • Security rebuffs Ezra: “You're on private property here.”
  • Ezra replies, “We've got a very pro steel message here.” ([16:28–16:35])
  • Security asks them to relocate and later calls the police, resulting in a measured, somewhat humorous back-and-forth ("Only three cruisers. I feel like I'm not important. I'm joking." — Ezra, [18:55]).

• Corporate Contradictions:

  • Ezra notes: “The corporation wants the public to give it money, but it doesn't want the public... to ask questions. I think you gotta pick a lane.” ([18:38])
  • He points out the paradox of seeking public funds while shunning public scrutiny.

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5. Ezra’s Advocacy: Petition and Call to Action (19:10–20:10)

• Ezra’s Core Argument:
  “The only way to make [the mill] sustainable is by having real customers, not by asking for more handouts from Mark Carney or Doug Ford. That's why we're here. And so far the steelworkers agree.” ([19:36])

• Petition:

  • Promotes the petition at buildsteelpipelines.com, emphasizing this isn’t a left/right issue but about real Canadian jobs. ([20:04])

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6. Special Report: Guadeloupe Christmas Market Incident (16:15–33:37)

Alex Alaboir (Rebel News Montreal) reports from Sainte Anne, Guadeloupe:

• Incident Facts:

  • On Dec 5th, a 45-year-old intoxicated man lost control of his car and crashed into a Christmas market, injuring 19.
  • “The possibility of a terrorist attack is widely dismissed. Locals described the incident as a serious accident linked to the driver's impairs condition.” ([17:09])
  • Contradicts rumors and viral misinformation (no deaths; not a terrorist act).

• Terror Alert Context:

  • France’s Interior Minister recently instructed beefed-up Christmas market security nationwide due to terror fears—a reminder of previous attacks in Europe (Nice, etc.).
  • Here, security was not notably heightened and rumors spread rapidly online—Elon Musk even shared a false claim that “10 people had died.” ([20:58])

• Fact-Checking and Media Skepticism:

  • “It was impossible to dismiss beyond all doubt the possibility of a terrorist attack in the immediate aftermath… This is also why the rumor claiming 10 people had died went viral...” ([21:33], [20:58])

• Commitment to On-the-Ground Reporting:

  • “We are traveling on a tight budget because we believe we have to come here to verify the facts. We are here to follow the facts and to bring you the other side of the story.” ([33:04])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ezra Levant (on pipeline/steel connection):

  • “Pipelines are made of steel. Algoma makes steel. It seems like a natural fit.” ([00:38])

• Steelworker Support:

  • “If we could get an oil pipeline from Alberta to BC, we could use Algoma Steel. What do you think of that?” Anonymous worker: “That's a perfect idea. That's great for the community, for Sault Ste. Marie, for Algoma. I love it.” ([06:21])

• Skeptic on Rebel News:

  • “You're putting on a show that's despicable… The reason for the layoffs, trashing the CEO's motives, making conspiracies about the liberals… none of this is based in reality.” ([13:49–14:51])

• Ezra’s Principle:

  • “The only way to keep these jobs is with real customers, not handouts.” ([19:41])

• Fact-Checking Rumor Outbreaks:

  • Alex Alaboir: “Today we are bringing you the facts. Ironically, the tragic event… happened right here, just in front of the police station.” ([22:12])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–04:55: Opening, Algoma context, problem with tariffs & subsidies
• 05:22–13:00: Steelworker interviews, strong support for pipelines
• 13:00–15:17: Interaction with dissenting worker, criticism of media coverage
• 15:18–18:52: Security confrontations; police called
• 19:10–20:10: Ezra’s on-site reflection and petition plug
• 16:15–33:37: Guadeloupe incident report, mythbusting, on-site interviews
• 33:37: Sign-off

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Conclusion

Ezra Levant’s report from Sault Ste. Marie powerfully underscores how distant government policy and international trade dynamics directly impact the lives of Canadian steelworkers. The resounding takeaway: steelworkers overwhelmingly want practical, private-sector projects (like pipelines) that use Canadian steel—eschewing both tariffs and government handouts. The episode also exemplifies Rebel News’ commitment to field reporting and counteracting misinformation, as highlighted by the Guadeloupe segment.

Final words:
"The only way to keep these jobs is with real customers, not handouts." — Ezra Levant ([19:41])

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Transcript

[A]

Hello, my friends. Very exciting show today. I just got back from Sault Ste. Marie, where the Algoma Steel mill is, and we had a very special question for the steelworkers going into work early in the morning. You're not going to want to miss this very special show. But first, let me invite you to become a subscriber to Rebel News plus, that's the video version of this podcast. You absolutely need to see this to believe it. We drove up there with our big, beautiful truck, so you know what that means. You've got to see this for it to ring True. Go to rebelnewsplus.com click subscribe. And not only is it a way to get great content, but you'll also keep Rebel News strong. You're listening to Rebel News podcast. Shame on you, you censorious. We are returning all of the proceeds, every dollar, from those tariffs to protect our workers and the businesses that are most affected by this trade war. Algoma Steel, based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has laid 1,000 workers today. We've got a very pro steel message here. I see that. That's good. Pipelines are made of steel. Algoma makes steel. It seems like a natural fit. I totally agree. That's great for the community, for Sault Ste. Marie, for Algoma. They want to build a pipeline and let's use Algoma Steel. I just love Canadian steel. 50% the tariffs on steel into the United States of America. Trump cannot put a tariff on a Canadian project. Yes, exactly. Look at this. You're putting up a big Good morning. We've been up since the wee hours and behind me is one of the gates at Algoma's steel factory here in Sault Ste. Marie. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, just across the river from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, shows how close this city and this company is tied to American markets. Unfortunately, Donald Trump has other plans for steel and he's put a walloping tariff on on Canadian steel sold into the United States. We're going to bring it from 25% to 50% the tariffs on steel into the United States of America, nobody's going to get around that that's thrown this company into disarray recently, even though the governments of Ontario and Canada have given $500 million to Algoma, they announced 1,000 more layoffs, almost half of the company's workforce. So we came here with an what would happen if we increase demand for Canadian steel here in Canada beyond the reach of foreign tariffs and not with some government giveaways? Or subsidies. Those never work and they certainly never last. What if we came up with a real bona fide project paid for by the private sector that uses steel? Well, I'm born and raised in Alberta. I know a little something about pipelines. The one thing I know mainly is, is they are made of steel. A billion dollars worth of steel is what was estimated in the Northern Gateway pipeline that the liberals killed. They also killed the Energy east pipeline and then Barack Obama killed the Keystone XL pipeline. Those are three pipelines in whole or in part in Canada that could have bought steel from this company and kept these workers working. So we did one of the things that we love to do. We brought our big beautiful billboard truck on the nine hour drive up from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie and we parked it here outside the gate. And as the workers are coming in at 6:30 and 7 and 7:30 in the morning, we're asking them a simple question. Do you think we should build a pipeline and use Algoma Steel? Here's what they've been saying. How are you? We have a billboard truck. We say build steel pipelines. If we could get an oil pipeline from Alberta to bc, we could use Algoma Steel. What do you think of that? That's a perfect idea. That's great for the community, for Sault Ste. Marie, for Algoma. I love it. I think it gives us jobs as Canadians. Considering steel's not really selling in the States right now, it's a good idea. Right on. Cheers. You work here? Yeah. Good luck. Yeah. Thank you. Thanks. What do you think of that idea? I agree. I absolutely agree. I think that's a good idea. Pipelines are made of steel. Algoma makes steel. It seems like a natural fit. I totally agree. I just love Canadian steel. Right on. Me too. You know, there'd be a billion dollars worth of steel in a pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast. I think it should be bought right here. What do you think? I think so too. Right on. I'm glad to hear you say that. Listen, I wish you good luck. Our heart's breaking for what's going on because Trump's putting the tariffs on, but. But Trump cannot put a tariff on a Canadian project. Yes, exactly. All right, well, good luck. Thank you. Nice to meet you. You too. I would take the opportunity, get more jobs out here. What do you think? I believe too. You believe too? Right on. Good luck. I totally agree with that one. If you had one message for Alberta, what would you say about oil pipelines and steel? I think go for it 100%. It will help Alberta and help the rest of the country. I sure hope we get somebody who wants to buy Canadians. I hope so. Thanks. Good luck. I support everything that makes. Right on. Thank you. Friendly guy. He says he supports anything that makes Algoma great. I can't think of a greater thing than to build a pipeline from Alberta through the Rocky Mountains to the coast. It's an enormous project. Well, about 80% of the cars stopped to talk to me either. People said they were a little bit late for work and no problem. Only one person disagreed. Well, he didn't really disagree with the idea. He just didn't like Rebel News. That's okay. Not everybody does. 90% of the people who stopped to talk liked our idea. Here's my conversation with a skeptic who thought we were being too mean to the CEO and maybe we were politicizing things. Take a listen to what he told me and what I said. Do you think it should happen or what are your thoughts on that? My. My thoughts are you're putting on a show that's despicable. What's despicable about it? Your organization. You don't like Rebel News? No. Okay, well, we're supporting the steel workers. That's a matter in itself, isn't it? Don't you think we should build a pipeline with Algoma Steel? There's better ways to support it. Give me one and I'll let you go. Tell me what we should do instead. Be a decent journalist. Okay, well, this is a real question, though. I mean, the pipeline, it would take steel from Algoma. What's wrong with that? If we can get orders for a pipeline, that's great. Okay. I didn't mean to stress you out. I think it's a good idea. Like, look at this. You're putting up a big show. Well, we're trying to get it to people. Political points while people are losing their jobs. Well, our whole point is that you get jobs by building a real pipeline. A billion dollars worth of pipeline. Maybe there, you got a good point. Well, that's the point I'm trying to make here today. That's all I'm talking. I would consider that. And maybe they'll do that. I hope they do. Listen, I didn't mean to stress you out. I believe that the pipeline is a smart way to get steel demand that it's not artificial. It's a real demand. I've seen your other video about Algoma Steel and it upset me very much. What part of it Can I ask you all of it? It was a lot of lies in there. Like, why Tell me when? Because I did my research and I get. What did I get wrong? The reason for the layoffs, trashing the CEO's motives, making conspiracies about the liberals, and, like, none of this is based in reality. All right, well, listen, I'm glad you told me what was on your mind and I'm sorry if I upset you. Okay? Okay. Good luck. He says we poked at the CEO. It's true. I mean, he took $5.6 million, he's leaving this year and he laid off a thousand people. I'm sorry, I'm going to criticize the CEO. I. I'm a free market guy by nature and I'm not against wealth. When the CEO makes 5.6 million bucks but lays off 1000 workers, I'm going to criticize it. I'm sorry, I hurt his feelings somehow. But my message is pro steel. I think saying we're politicizing things is sort of a little bit too late to say that this whole thing is being extremely politicized. So he's threatening Canadian workers in auto manufacturing and workers throughout the industry's supply chain, including here at Algoma. It was politics that put the tariffs on. It was politics that put the half billion dollar federal provincial money into it. When it comes to protecting Ontario, I'll fight like I've never fought before. Donald Trump thinks he can break us. He thinks he can divide and conquer us. He doesn't know what we know. It's politics, especially by the federal government that said, hey, Algoma, get off coal fired ste Mills and move to this new green scheme of electric arc steel. Making this whole thing is political. That's one of the reasons why Rebel News is here, is because public money and the public interest are at stake. Algoma isn't just a private company. It's a private company that is at the heart of a public battle. And it's taken hundreds of millions, in fact, almost a billion dollars over the last five or so years. Hey, just one side note. When we pulled up, I introduced myself to this security guard. I said, hi, I'm Ezra. And he was pretty snarky. I get it. Because he's probably had some frustrating media coverage over the last few weeks, frankly, over the last few years. I'm Azra and I'm gonna need to delete that. Okay. I'm Ezra Levan. How do you do? Good, Very good. Okay, you're not shaking my hand. That's not friendly. You gotta. You're on private property here. Okay, we'll move. We've got a very pro steel message here. I see that. That's good. If you want to just park on the other side of our parking lot, you guys could do whatever you want out there. Okay. Sure will. Perfect. You know, can I just give you 30 seconds? Our message is no. Every pipeline means billions in steel demand. We're literally. I told you five minutes ago to move it. Well, you're not my boss. And you wouldn't even shake my head. Trespassing. Well, you wouldn't even shake my head. Passing. So the police are coming. Okay, that'll be. And we want all the video. I'm sure you do, but you won't even shake my hand. Why would I shake your hand? You don't listen to me. Well, it was the very first thing I said before. Before you started shouting at me. Sure it does. You're being mean. You're trespassing, sir. Well, we're leaving now and you're being mean. No, you're not leaving. Well, yes, I told you to leave five minutes ago. Well, you're not my boss. They did ask us to leave the property, which we promptly did. Nonetheless, they called some of Sault Ste. Marie's finest. Two police cars pulled up. Another did a patrol, I guess, looking for any more rebels out there. Only three cruisers. I feel like I'm not important. I'm joking. I'm Ezra Levant and this is my friend, Lincoln J. What have they told you so far? Well, they. When we were over there, they said, that's our private property. I said, okay, so we'll go on the. In fact, he said, go on the street. Okay, so that's what we did here. And everyone. I wave at them when they come in. I say, hey, I got this idea. I say, I got this idea. They're building the pipe. They want to build a pipeline and let's use Algoma Steel. So everyone is very friendly. We stop, have a 30 second chat on the way in, and the security guard there said, don't be up there. Okay. So we moved. And he said, move over here. So we did. Okay. And now what if they. Because they called us again. Really? Yeah. What did they say? Because they haven't talked to us since we left. They said it was a trespassing issue, so. But this is a public. At the end of the day, I'm going to ask them what their property is, because it's my understanding that they own, basically from west street in I know you know your laws when it comes to traffic. And I'm not looking. I'm not looking to make a fuss here. And so. So we immediately. Well, in 60 seconds, yeah, we moved. And I think he's a bit cranky. The fact of it is I spoke to the H, the VP of hr. Oh, yeah. And they're saying they own from west street in now. They're saying it. And I know they told you they're provided to me when she gets in. She obviously can't do it right now. Okay. So for the time being, I'm going to ask you guys to go. At least I guess I'd be east of West Street. Even though the company furnished no proof that they own the public street, we did move our truck. I think it goes to the fact that Algoma wants it both ways. And I'm talking about the corporation, not the workers, the management. The corporation wants the public to give it money, but it doesn't want the public, through journalists, to ask questions. I think you got to pick a lane. If you are a private, reclusive, secluded company that doesn't like talking to the media, fine. But then don't take half a billion dollars and lay off a thousand workers. I think you have to have it both ways. Speaking of which, here's Sault Ste. Marie's finest. What's the word? Nine meters, 30ft. Okay, I think we're pretty close. Yeah. All right. Fair deal. Thanks for checking that. It seemed a little long. I wish every one of these steelworkers well. I want them to be working at this big, beautiful plant for a very long time. The only way to make that sustainable is by having real customers, not by asking for more handouts from Mark Carney or Doug Ford. That's why we're here. And so far the steelworkers agree. If you think that we need to build steel pipelines, why not go to our petition and build steel pipelines pipelines.com. i don't care if you're left wing or right wing. We need these jobs in Canada. And the only way to keep these jobs is with real customers, not handouts. For Rebel News, I'm Ezra Levans. Hey guys, I'm back in Toronto now. What an exciting mission up to Sault Ste. Marie. I feel very sad for that steel factory because without a natural big customer like a pipeline, I am very afraid that those jobs are not coming back. And that's very sad. Now, by the way, the oil patch has lost probably a hundred times that in employment over the last Decade because of anti oil policies. Very sad as well. Anyways, I was glad to go up there and I was glad that the ordinary steel workers liked what I had previously proposed. I don't know if that will amount to a hill of beans in the end, but it was nice to see. Hey, while I was in Sault Ste Marie, two of our team who speak French were coming back from the island of Guadeloupe. Now where is that? What were they doing there? Well, we saw a few days ago a crazy report that the French overseas territory, which is in the Caribbean called Guadeloupe, someone rammed their car into a Christmas market injuring 19 people. And I immediately thought, oh my God, that happens in France. A terrifying frequency across Europe. In fact, all these Christmas markets are targeted by Islamic terrorists. Is that happening in Guadeloupe? Because it's happened in France. There was a horrific case of an Islamic terrorist who got behind a huge truck and drove down the street in Nice, France, killing 83 people. Just horrific. And I thought, oh my God, has that come to Guadalupe? It was very hard to tell, but there was a not so expensive flight down there. It's not too far away from Montreal. So we sent our French speaking Montrealers there to find out was this a terrorist attack in the Caribbean? And here's what they found.

[B]

Alex Alaboir for Rebel News and I'm currently in Sainte Anne, Guadeloupe right here on Plaise Scholzer in front of the church where the Christmas light illumination event took place on December 5th. That evening the municipality had gathered with families to kick off the holiday festivities.

[A]

Local Duchamps.

[B]

At around 7:30 at night. According to information gathered on site, a 45 year old man reportedly intoxicated with alcohol and cannabis came speeding down this slope, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the crowd at the corner there, hitting several people, including children who were waiting in line at the food truck. Some witnesses told us that no one died that night, but they described horrifying scenes mentioning that a child had to be pulled out from underneath the vehicle and that the windshield was completely shattered, showing just how violent the impact was. One point consistently comes up in the testimonies. The possibility of a terrorist attack is widely dismissed. Locals described the incident as a serious accident linked to the driver's impairs condition.

[A]

Director terrorist.

[B]

However, Western countries are facing a growing level of terrorist threats. This is why on December 3rd, just two days before this incident, France Interior Minister Laurent Nunez instructed all prefects to reinforce security around Christmas markets, citing a very high level of terrorist threats. Apparently these measures were not implemented here in Guadeloupe. We also remember the nice attack where a Tunisian national drove a truck into the crowd during the national holiday, killing many people. And more recently, several Christmas related events have been and continue to be targeted by Islamist extremists and pro Hamas supporters. In this context, it was impossible to dismiss beyond all doubt the possibility of a terrorist attack in the immediate aftermath, especially today, when the information spreads extremely fast online and the public no longer trusts mainstream media for good reasons. This is also why the rumor claiming 10 people had died went viral to the point where Elon Musk himself reshared it. Today we are bringing you the facts. Ironically, the tragic event that took place last Friday here in Guadeloupe happened right here, just in front of the police station.

[A]

Smoking.

[B]

To verify the facts, we tried to go and talk with the firefighters as well as the police department and they all referred us here at the mayor office. So we took the time to have an interview with the mayor of St. Anne.

[A]

It. The person. And espouse who met Librise to treat him.

[B]

The minister l' interior, laurent nunez.

[A]

She Illumination. Premier. Population. Linoguration. No. Mesa. Basilaba apari pet kizonite system. Amer. To sell. Say pop zova kosi. Official manifestation.

[B]

So we are traveling on a tight budget because we believe we have to come here to verify the facts. We are here to follow the facts and to bring you the other side of the story. To make sure that all the information is accurate. If you believe that it's important that we are here and bring you the truth, go over the truth about guadalupe.com chip in to help us to offset our travel expenses. Thank you.

[A]

Well, that's our show for today. Until tomorrow, on behalf of all of us here at Rebel World headquarters, to you at home. Good night and keep fighting for freedom.