The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Dec. 2, edition that Algoma Steel Group is laying off over a third of its work force to expedite equipment upgrades due to U.S. tariffs. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that Algoma issued about 1,050 layoff notices on Monday. The job cuts come as Algoma has accelerated plans to shut down its blast-furnace and coke oven operations as it transitions to more efficient electricity-based steel production. The plans have been in the works for years, but U.S. tariffs on steel pushed the company to move faster. The company reported almost half a billion dollars in losses last quarter as the 50-per-cent tariffs on steel imposed by the U.S. effectively shut it out of the market. It was while releasing its last results that the company said it was accelerating the transition to its electric arc furnace, which will give it more flexibility as it reorients production to focus on steel plate for the Canadian market. The latest package of measures aims to boost the domestic market for steel, and includes tighter quotas on foreign steel entering Canada and a promise to trim freight rates for interprovincial rail travel.