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TORONTO – Unifor says the Ontario budget delivers major new spending on tariff-mitigation measures and economic safeguards to help workers and businesses navigate a U.S.-provoked trade war but falls short on holding corporations to account.
“The Ontario budget provides guardrails for trade-exposed businesses and communities struggling in the face of U.S. tariffs, through tax deferrals and other supports,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “But without strict conditions that tether these firms to Ontario, the threat of offshoring jobs still negatively impacts workers across the province.”
Unifor welcomes provincial funding to buffer against tariff impacts, and bolster strategic investments, including through a new Protecting Ontario Account and Trade-Impacted Communities Program, although eligibility and application details remain unclear at this point.
“As our members face devastating auto sector layoff announcements and investment delays, Ontario needs a strong industrial defense strategy that keeps workers on the job and that requires businesses to maintain investments and a production footprint in this country,” Payne said. “What we need are strict strings attached to these supports. We need to hold corporations accountable."
The province has also expanded funding for skills training programs, investments in critical mineral sector development, and other infrastructure spending.
Prior to today’s budget announcement, Unifor highlighted the importance of investing in public services, including reversing the privatization of health care, to protect Ontarians against the impacts of the U.S.-initiated trade war.
“The health care investments announced today fall short for the thousands of workers that Unifor represents in the sector," said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “They don’t keep up with inflation and continue this government’s record of privatization by stealth, expanding funding for for-profit clinics and diverting resources away from hospitals and community clinics.”
Unifor has also called on the Ontario government to make the following investments that were not included in today’s budget announcement:
- Addressing methane leaks in gas pipelines
- Improving social assistance rates
- Targeted funding to expand child care access in underserved communities
To learn more about Unifor’s recommendations for building a resilient economy visit protectjobs.ca.
