Share
Unifor is reiterating its position that bold action is needed from the Government of Canada in order to build a resilient economy in its submission to the finance committee’s consultation process in advance of the Fall 2025 Federal Budget.
“This is a critical moment for the federal government to support Canadian workers and industries by prioritizing Made-in-Canada. Every public procurement decision is an economic policy decision–a strong economic plan and industrial strategy supports Canadian workers, expands our supply chains, and bolsters our resilience as we fight back against President Trump’s tariff attacks,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“In these uncertain times, workers need strong, forward-looking industrial strategies that set up our industries and workers for success.”
In its submission, Unifor challenged the federal government to design and implement solutions that reduce Canada’s over-reliance on the U.S., defend Canada’s national interest, respond to ongoing threats levied by President Trump, and pursue a strategy of good, union job growth.
The union presented five strategies on how government can achieve this–including by leveraging domestic economic strengths, building stronger connections between provinces, and advancing close economic relationships with allies:
- Penalize companies that move jobs to the United States;
- Fortify East-West energy linkages;
- Ensure defence spending that supports Canadian industries;
- Restrict foreign ownership of critical minerals;
- Support forestry with a Made-in-Canada affordable home strategy.
In its submission for the fall 2025 budget, Unifor also outlined several sector-specific recommendations to:
- Resolve the U.S. tariff dispute and support Canadian industries severely impacted, including in automotive, aluminum and steel;
- Establish targeted aerospace industry investment and job creation programs;
- Improve travel and working conditions in the aviation industry based on Unifor’s Aviation Workers’ Charter of Rights and Freedoms roadmap;
- Create an energy investment policy that supports energy solutions built in Canada for the unique Canadian economy and climate, and reduces emissions that drive climate change;
- Address the negative impacts of wildland fires through a forest fire strategy that incorporates climate change and fire mitigation, risk management, and disaster planning;
- Provide support for media workers and increased access to local news, while better protecting journalists and media workers from harassment and abuse;
- Expand infrastructure funding to local public transit and maximize Canadian content in procurements, including finalizing that subway cars for the Toronto Transit Commission are made in the Thunder Bay Alstom plant;
- Reject any privatization schemes for VIA Rail and develop a funding program that keeps VIA Rail public;
- Enhance labour standards and workplace safety for long-haul drivers in the road transportation sector; and
- Implement legislation requiring telecommunications companies in receipt of federal funding to report contracting out and ensure universal access to affordable wireless and broadband internet plans.
Unifor also highlighted the need to fix Employment Insurance, so it works for workers, and stronger protections for workers during employer insolvency.
Read more about these recommendations, including how government can act to improve and protect housing, pharmacare, long-term care childcare and more in the full submission.
