Zekelman Industries announced on March 18 that it has awarded $30,000 CAD in rewards to Canadians who identified the use of imported steel in publicly funded construction projects across the country.
The initiative, launched in November 2025, aimed to highlight instances where taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects used imported materials instead of Canadian-made steel. The program sought to encourage accountability and support domestic manufacturing by offering $1,000 CAD for each verified report submitted through an online form. The rewards program will conclude at the end of March 2026.
Barry Zekelman, Executive Chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries, said, “Canadians repeatedly stepped up to help hold government-funded projects accountable and ensure Canadian tax dollars support Canadian workers and manufacturers.” He added, “With 30 projects identified in just five months, it proves that Canadians are frustrated with the current landscape and are feeling empowered to speak up against unfair practices.”
The company stated that submissions came from a range of public infrastructure projects including bridges, schools, hospitals, and transit centers. The rewards program was part of a broader effort to support the Buy Canadian Act’s goal of prioritizing Canadian-made materials in taxpayer-funded infrastructure.
While the reward initiative is ending soon, Zekelman said its underlying mission continues. “Someone had to do something dramatic to start the conversation,” he said. “I was happy to shine a light on the problem, but the momentum we’ve seen shows how important this is to all Canadians. Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call to Canadian leaders that we won’t stand by quietly while they outsource materials to foreign entities.”
Zekelman Industries operates several companies including Atlas Tube, Picoma, Sharon Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, and Z Modular. With 17 manufacturing locations and more than 3,200 employees across North America, it is recognized as a leading independent manufacturer of hollow structural sections (HSS), steel pipe, electrical conduit and related products.
