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Members of one of the largest auto locals in the country sent a clear and united message to Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government, unanimously passing a motion stating that Unifor Local 222 does not support opening the door to cheap, subsidized Chinese EV imports at the expense of Canadian auto jobs.
“These companies are counting on being able to import to Canada without building here,” Unifor National President Lana Payne told members at a Local 222 information session. “That’s why every recommendation, every word, every conversation with government has come back to one core principle of any Canadian auto policy: if you want to sell here, you need to build here.”
Members packed the Unifor Local 222 hall in Oshawa on January 17 to discuss the pending loss of the third shift at the GM Oshawa Assembly Plant, the ongoing trade war, and Unifor’s fight to protect Canadian auto jobs. The motion on Chinese EVs was passed at the end of the information session, which included updates from Payne, Local 222 President Jeff Gray, and GM Oshawa Plant Chairperson Chris Waugh.
Gray spoke about the impact of tariffs on GM Oshawa workers and the broader parts supply chain, the importance of CUSMA, and the significance of the Canadian market to the Detroit Three.
“We’ve had to fight together before for the GM Oshawa plant, and we are ready to fight again,” said Gray, referring to the loss of the plant’s third shift. “Everyone in this room is determined to find a way to keep our members working.”
Waugh highlighted members’ dedication in building award-winning, high-quality trucks and parts that generate billions in profit for General Motors.
“How does the company repay that loyalty? With disrespect,” said Waugh. “This union was not built by staying silent. This union was built to fight back. It was built by standing up, pushing back, and demanding respect.”
The session also included a presentation by Unifor Director of Research Angelo DiCaro, outlining the tariffs currently targeting the auto sector, measures designed to undermine Canadian auto jobs and weaken the country’s industrial economy, and the urgent need for policies that protect domestic production.
Members also discussed the dangers posed by a deal struck by the federal government the previous day allowing up to 49,000 EVs from China-owned companies to be imported into Canada at a minimal tariff rate.
“I don’t want to hear that it’s ‘just three per cent of the auto market,’” said Payne. “It always starts like this. It’s already 20 per cent of the EV market. The Chinese quota will grow every year. In fact, the government has given them an escalator. There will be no turning back this clock.”
Payne stressed the importance of solidarity as workers face coordinated threats to jobs and industrial capacity.
“We’ve been through tough times before,” Payne said. “We know how to fight, by building solidarity, standing shoulder to shoulder, and showing up for each other. I can guarantee you this: this union will never stop fighting.”
View the photo gallery from the Oshawa Local 222 information meeting here.
Unifor will hold additional auto information sessions in Brampton and Windsor in the coming weeks. Further details will be announced soon.
