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“The extension of the time-limited remission provides relief for downstream manufacturers while they continue to undertake efforts to secure new Canadian sources of supply,” the Finance Department said in a statement, adding that the vast majority of the requests for exemptions came from companies in the energy, advanced manufacturing, construction, automotive, aerospace and defence industries.

In all, the amendments add $110 million in potential tariff refunds for Canadian companies, pushing the total to $395 million.

But the move has disappointed steel industry leaders who are pressing Ottawa to bolster import restrictions, arguing that global overcapacity has left the world awash in steel that has been shut out of the U.S. due to its tariffs and is now seeking a home in alternate markets, including Canada.

Photo by Peter J. Thompson/National Post files

The waivers also weaken Canada’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s levies on Canadian steel and aluminum at a time when Ottawa is pushing to have them dropped, said Catherine Cobden, president of the Canadian Steel Producers Association.

“The key question I have for the government is if you keep doing these remissions, how much sting do the retaliatory measures have?” said Cobden. “We’re in a situation with the U.S. where they’ve put our industry under illegal and unfair tariffs and we need them lifted. If we offer these remissions and extend the remission date, we’re telling the market there’s not a real problem here.”