I just got a layoff notice

The first days matter most for money. Do three things this week: get your Record of Employment on its way, apply for Employment Insurance, and register with the Steelworker POWER Action Centre, which was set up for exactly this. If you're a union member, loop in your local too.

Steps to take

Apply for Employment Insurance now
Apply online at canada.ca as soon as your last day of work — don't wait for your Record of Employment (ROE). Your employer sends the ROE to Service Canada, usually electronically within about five days. You'll need your Social Insurance Number and your banking details for direct deposit. Questions: 1-800-206-7218.
Register with the Steelworker POWER Action Centre
This is a free drop-in help centre for laid-off steelworkers, run by the United Steelworkers and CSTEC and funded by the Province — job-search help, short-term training, and guidance on EI and your options, with referrals to other services. Register at cstec.social; the in-person centre is at 68 Dennis Street.
Talk to your union local
If you're with USW Local 2251, the hall can explain your rights, the collective agreement, your benefits, and the choice many members face between keeping recall rights and taking severance. Call 705-942-3900.
Know when the recall-vs-severance decision lands
For laid-off steelworkers there is a real choice between waiting on recall to the plant and taking severance now — and taking severance means resigning, so the recall right goes with it. USW Local 2251 has said the company expects the layoffs to run at least 35 weeks, and that members can make the severance decision once they have been off that long: for notices effective late March 2026 that falls around late November 2026. Your own date depends on your last day and your years of service, so get the union's and the Action Centre's read before you sign anything.

Papers to gather

Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Your layoff or termination letter from the employer
Your Record of Employment (ROE) — your employer issues it; you don't need it in hand to start the EI claim
Banking information for EI direct deposit

Who to contact

Service Canada — Employment Insurance

Apply for EI regular benefits — free

Phone: 1-800-206-7218
Website: canada.ca

Steelworker POWER Action Centre

Free drop-in help for laid-off steelworkers — 68 Dennis Street; register online

Website: cstec.social

United Steelworkers Local 2251

Union hall — 8 Albert St. E — rights, the agreement, severance vs recall

Phone: 705-942-3900
Website: usw2251.ca

The Algoma layoffs have been phased, and some notices have shifted. Whatever your dates, applying for EI early and registering with the Action Centre costs nothing and keeps your options open.

I want to retrain or go back to school

Retraining in Ontario is largely paid for if you've been laid off. The main door is Better Jobs Ontario, and you apply for it through a local employment-services office — not on your own. Sault College also runs free upgrading and pre-apprenticeship programs.

Steps to take

Start with a local Employment Ontario office
These free storefront services assess you, help with a plan, and are how you actually apply for Better Jobs Ontario. In the Soo: Sault College Employment Solutions, the Sault Community Career Centre, and March of Dimes Canada Employment Services. Walk in or call any one of them.
Ask about Better Jobs Ontario
For laid-off workers, Better Jobs Ontario can cover tuition, books, and other training costs — up to $28,000 for programs of a year or less (more for longer ones), plus a living allowance of up to $500 a week. You can apply while you're on EI. Your employment office confirms whether you qualify and helps you apply.
Look at Sault College directly
Academic Upgrading is tuition-free for most Ontario residents and can get you the Grade-12 equivalency (ACE) you may need first (705-759-2554 ext. 2433). Tuition-free Pre-Apprenticeship programs combine basic-skills training with a paid work placement. General admissions: 705-759-2554 or 1-800-461-2260.

Papers to gather

Your layoff or termination letter (proof you were laid off)
Your Record of Employment, if you have it
A rough idea of the kind of work or training you're interested in — even a shortlist helps

Who to contact

Sault College Employment Solutions

477 Queen St. E, Suite 203 — employment help & Better Jobs Ontario

Phone: 705-945-0705
Website: employment-solutions.ca

Sault Community Career Centre

503 Queen St. E — free employment services

Phone: 705-759-0909
Website: saultcareercentre.ca

March of Dimes Canada — Employment Services

550 Queen St. W, Suite 103 — free employment services

Phone: 705-945-1044
Website: modcemploymentservices.ca

Better Jobs Ontario

The retraining funding — apply through an office above

Website: ontario.ca/page/better-jobs-ontario

Sault College — Academic Upgrading

Tuition-free upgrading to Grade-12 equivalency

Phone: 705-759-2554
Website: saultcollege.ca

Better Jobs Ontario asks you to look at a few training options and shows the program leads to real local demand — the employment office helps you put that case together, so start there rather than enrolling and hoping to be reimbursed.

I'm looking for a new job now

The same free employment offices that handle retraining also do the day-to-day job search — resumés, postings, connecting you with employers — at no cost. For steelworkers, the POWER Action Centre does this too, alongside people who understand the plant.

Steps to take

Use a free employment office
Sault College Employment Solutions, the Sault Community Career Centre, and March of Dimes Employment Services all help with resumés, job postings, applications, and interview prep for free. You can use more than one.
Register with the POWER Action Centre
If you came out of Algoma, the Steelworker POWER Action Centre offers job-search help and short-term training with peer support from people who've been there. Register at cstec.social; drop in at 68 Dennis Street.
Keep your EI claim active while you search
You can look for work while on EI — just complete your reports honestly. Taking short-term or part-time work usually doesn't end your claim; Service Canada can explain how earnings are handled (1-800-206-7218).

Papers to gather

An up-to-date resumé — the employment offices will help you build or fix one
A list of your tickets and certifications (trades papers, licences, safety tickets)

Who to contact

Sault College Employment Solutions

477 Queen St. E, Suite 203 — free job-search help

Phone: 705-945-0705
Website: employment-solutions.ca

Sault Community Career Centre

503 Queen St. E — free job-search help

Phone: 705-759-0909
Website: saultcareercentre.ca

Steelworker POWER Action Centre

68 Dennis Street — job help & short-term training for steelworkers

Website: cstec.social

My EI is running out, or I don't qualify

If EI has ended or you didn't have enough hours, there is still a floor. Check first whether your claim can be extended, then Ontario Works for basic income and help with essential costs — and the Soo has food banks and a daily meal you're welcome to use while you get back on your feet.

Steps to take

First, check whether your EI can be extended
A temporary federal measure adds up to 20 extra weeks of EI regular benefits for long-tenured workers — people who have drawn little EI in the last three years and paid into it for most of the last decade — taking the maximum from 45 weeks to 65. It applies to claims starting up to October 10, 2026. Service Canada can tell you whether it applies to your claim: 1-800-206-7218.
Apply for Ontario Works
Ontario Works, run locally by the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Board, gives monthly financial help for basic needs and shelter and connects you with employment help. Apply by phone at 705-759-5266 (or 1-866-363-6007), or start online at ontario.ca. You can be on Ontario Works and still get retraining through Better Jobs Ontario.
Use the food banks — that's what they're for
St. Vincent Place runs a food bank (705-253-2770) at 222 Albert St. E, and the Soup Kitchen Community Centre (172 James St., 705-942-2694) serves a free take-out lunch weekdays. Using them frees up money for rent and bills; no one is turned away for needing help.
Ask about help with rent and utilities
When you apply for Ontario Works, ask about emergency help with rent or a utility bill you can't cover — the board administers those supports and can point you to community programs too.

Papers to gather

Your Social Insurance Number and a piece of ID
Rough numbers on your income, rent, and monthly bills
Any EI paperwork showing your claim has ended or was denied

Who to contact

Ontario Works — DSSMSSAB

548 Albert St. E — monthly basic-needs support

Phone: 705-759-5266
Website: socialservices-ssmd.ca/ontario-works

St. Vincent Place — Food Bank

222 Albert St. E — food & basic needs

Phone: 705-253-2770
Website: vincentplacessm.ca/contact

Soup Kitchen Community Centre

172 James St. — free take-out lunch, weekdays 11:30–4

Phone: 705-942-2694
Website: soupkitchencommunitycentre.org

I'm struggling — money, stress, or my mental health

Losing a job you counted on hits more than your bank account. Free, confidential help is here around the clock, and reaching out early is a strength, not a weakness. You can call about the worry itself, not just an emergency.

Steps to take

Talk to someone now, any time
The 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline is free and open 24 hours — call or text 9-8-8. Algoma's own 24-hour crisis line is 1-800-721-0077. For mental-health or addictions help and referrals across Ontario, ConnexOntario is 1-866-531-2600.
Steady the basics — money and food
Stress eases when the essentials are handled. If money is tight, see the 'My EI is running out' path for Ontario Works and the food banks. It's practical help, and it's yours to use.
Lean on the Action Centre's peer support
The Steelworker POWER Action Centre is drop-in and peer-driven — people who've been through the same layoff. Talking with them about next steps can lift some of the weight. 68 Dennis Street; register at cstec.social.

Who to contact

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Free, 24 hours — call or text 9-8-8

Phone: 988
Website: 988.ca

Algoma 24-Hour Crisis Line

Local crisis support, any time

Phone: 1-800-721-0077
Website: algomafamilyservices.ca

ConnexOntario

Mental-health & addictions help and referrals

Phone: 1-866-531-2600
Website: connexontario.ca

If you or someone with you is in immediate danger, call 911.

Laid Off? Your Next Steps in the Soo

About these tools

What's your situation? Tap the one closest to yours.

I just got a layoff notice

Steps to take

Papers to gather

Who to contact

I want to retrain or go back to school

Steps to take

Papers to gather

Who to contact

I'm looking for a new job now

Steps to take

Papers to gather

Who to contact

My EI is running out, or I don't qualify

Steps to take

Papers to gather

Who to contact

I'm struggling — money, stress, or my mental health

Steps to take

Who to contact

Good to know

Official links