Zekelman Issues More Than $10,000 in Rewards as “Buy Canadian” Movement Gains Momentum!
By Ashutosh Arora
Zekelman Industries, a major North American manufacturer of steel pipe and tube with significant operations in Canada, has announced that it issued over $10,000 in reward cheques within the first two weeks of launching its new “Buy Canadian” movement. Introduced in early November, the initiative urges Canadians to report publicly funded construction projects that use foreign steel—an effort aimed at safeguarding domestic manufacturing, supporting local workers, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are reinvested into Canada’s own industrial base.
According to CEO Barry Zekelman, the movement calls attention to foreign steel being used on government-backed projects even when high-quality Canadian alternatives are readily available. In his words, “You’re snitching on the government who is bringing in foreign steel at the expense of Canadian workers and Canadian tax dollars.” The company says multiple verified reports have already come in from across the country, each eligible for a CAD 1,000 reward. These early submissions involve large-scale or community-focused projects such as the PNE Amphitheatre in Vancouver, the Pattullo Bridge Replacement in Surrey, a fire hall in Amherstburg, the St. Clair transmission line in southwestern Ontario, Blanche E. Williams Public School in Brantford, and the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension.
Zekelman notes that the enthusiastic response reflects a growing desire among Canadians to ensure publicly funded infrastructure prioritizes Canadian-made materials. He emphasized that using local steel not only strengthens domestic supply chains but also ensures long-term resilience, quality, and accountability. “Whether it is a bridge in British Columbia or a fire station in Ontario, we’re taking a stand for Canadian workers, businesses and the integrity of our infrastructure,” he said. “The response to the Buy Canadian movement has been overwhelming and we expect to issue additional rewards checks in the coming weeks.”
The initiative aligns closely with Canada’s federal Buy Canadian Act, which encourages the use of locally manufactured materials on government-supported projects. By rewarding citizens for identifying foreign steel usage, Zekelman Industries hopes to raise awareness of the economic risks associated with imported materials, particularly in critical sectors like infrastructure, energy, and public facilities. The company believes that keeping steel production within Canada helps preserve skilled jobs, maintain manufacturing capacity, and strengthen national self-reliance.
Canadians who spot foreign steel on construction sites funded by taxpayer money can submit reports through Zekelman Industries’ website. Verified tips will earn a CAD 1,000 reward. The company stresses that the movement is not intended to promote any single manufacturer—it is intended to advocate for all Canadian steel producers who contribute to the country’s industrial backbone. As Barry Zekelman explained, “This is not a ‘Buy Zekelman’ campaign; it’s a Buy Canadian movement. Every steel manufacturer in Canada deserves to benefit from the Buy Canadian Act.”
As participation continues to rise, the “Buy Canadian” movement is quickly becoming a national call to action—one that unites citizens, manufacturers, and policymakers around the shared goal of protecting Canada’s economic interests and strengthening the future of domestic industry.
