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The ongoing trade war with the United States was top of mind as Unifor National Skilled Trades Council delegates from across the country met to discuss major challenges facing the union’s 50,000 Skilled Trades members.
“This is a challenging time with many of our Skilled Trades members working in trade-exposed sectors of the economy, including auto, IPS and pulp and paper to name a few,” said Unifor National Skilled Trades Chairperson Ken Anderson. “This Council provided a vital check-in so we can evaluate the threat level to our members and prepare to mobilize if and where necessary.”
More than 100 delegates and Unifor staff attended the National Skilled Trades Council, held March 7-9, 2025, in Peterborough, Ontario.
“We will have to show Canadians what it is to fight for our jobs. What it is to lay it on the line. What it means when we say we will do whatever it takes to protect our plants, our jobs. All workers. All of us together,” Unifor National President Lana Payne told Skilled Trades Council delegates.
“Our relationship with the U.S. has changed forever. We have to get through this, and we will fight to do so. But on the other side, there has to be a stronger economy for all Canadian workers. One where we create good, union jobs for generations while building the things we need here in Canada,” added Payne.
The Council meeting took place amid ongoing threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, calls for the elimination of Canadian auto jobs, and outright attacks on our country’s very sovereignty by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“This is a defining moment for our country and our union. It’s a new era for workers. A time when every single Unifor member needs to step up, and we’re going to have to work together like never before to get through this,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “This is a moment for Skilled Trades to lead. Canada must invest in itself and that means investing in you.”
During their reports, delegates from multiple trade exposed sectors including pulp and paper, food manufacturing, heavy equipment manufacturing, IPS and auto took to the microphone to share the concerns of their members and the need to fight back.
“Just the threat of these tariffs will impact investment in our country, which will impact our ability to provide for our families, to put food on our tables and keep a roof over our heads. It will impact our ability to organize workers across this country. If there was ever a time to stand on guard for thee it is now,” said Jason Watson, Unifor National Skilled Trades Council Trustee and Local 1285 Stellantis Brampton Assembly Plant Skilled Trades Chairperson during his report.
“I know for one I will protect my plant and my union. We need to mobilize; we need to be ready to react and we need to send a strong message. That we as Canadians will not stand for it.”
Delegates spoke of the need to unite in the fightback against the tariff threats.
“Canada is a strong country. We stick together, said Rod McGill, President, Local 1459 Stellantis Etobicoke Casting Plant.
Council leadership and delegates also shared experiences on dealing with the ongoing shortage of Skilled Tradespeople in their units and strategies to increase apprenticeships.
“We have a shortage in the trades that is only going to get worse. It’s the journey of the apprenticeship that makes Journeypeople. We can fund everything, but the reality is if we don’t get employers to take apprentices, we’re never going to get through this,” said Anderson.
The shortage of Skilled Tradespeople was also address by guest speaker David Piccini, Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
“We will stand up and protect workers here. We’re on a mission through Skilled Trades Ontario with the largest fund in Ontario history to create better jobs. We’ve got to make it easier to enter the trades,” said Piccini.
Skilled Trades Council delegates also heard from four-term Oshawa MPP Jennifer French.
“More and more we’re hearing about anxiety in younger generations about how they can chart a path forward. We know we re facing a shortage of trades people and we need to attract people back to the trades. We aren’t fostering that natural love of building, making, doing and creating,” said French.
To support the development of young people, the National Skilled Trades Council awarded the Bob Chernecki Charity of Choice to BGC Durham with a $4,000 donation to help enable youth to experience new opportunities, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.
“Unifor is all across Canada but so are Boys and Girls Clubs. The Boys and Girls Club is a safe place for children to come where they can be themselves,” said Bobbi Jo Riel, BGC Durham Director of Children & Youth Recreation Programs.
“We do create opportunity for young people. Your gift allows us to adapt and respond so every child in our program has a chance to succeed,” added Marnie Smith, BGC Durham Interim Executive Director.
The Unifor Skilled Trades Council also paid tribute to retiring Recording Secretary RayHamel. “You’ve always been a mentor, our historian and the one we could always count on to write the Skilled Trades submissions when thing were rough,” said Unifor National Skilled Trades Chairperson Ken Anderson.
“The Red Seal changed my life and at that point I decided to give back. Through this council we worked together, we fought government, and I retire knowing this council is in really good shape,” said Hamel.
View the Peterborough National Skilled Trades Council photo gallery here.
The next National Skilled Trades Council will take place May 23-26 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
