International trade

Poll shows vast majority of Canadians back protecting auto jobs in trade negotiations

Canadians overwhelmingly support the protection of Canadian auto jobs and other key industrial sectors, according to a new Pollara survey. The nationwide poll shows three-in-four (74%) believe if the Canadian auto sector collapsed, it would have a “devastating” impact on the Canadian economy.

Importantly, 70% feel Canada should not sacrifice the auto sector to get a good trade deal with the US, with that figure rising to 75% in Ontario. 

Poll shows vast majority of Canadians back protecting auto jobs in trade negotiations

TORONTO –Canadians overwhelmingly support the protection of Canadian auto jobs and other key industrial sectors, according to a new Pollara survey. The nationwide poll shows three-in-four (74%) believe if the Canadian auto sector collapsed, it would have a “devastating” impact on the Canadian economy.

Importantly, 70% feel Canada should not sacrifice the auto sector to get a good trade deal with the US, with that figure rising to 75% in Ontario. 

Trump heavy-duty truck and bus tariffs latest attack on Canadian auto

TORONTO – President Trump’s new tariffs on heavy-duty trucks and buses are the latest direct attack on our auto manufacturing sector—another act of economic blackmail designed to drag investment and good jobs out of Canada.

“Trump is coming for Canada’s industrial manufacturing base, weaponizing tariffs one sector at a time using security-threat provisions that everyone knows are completely bogus,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The question is, how many more hits is Canada willing to take before we fight back?”

Unifor auto leadership meets Premier Ford to address U.S. tariffs and trade threats

A delegation of Unifor auto leadership, led by Unifor National President Lana Payne, met with Premier Doug Ford on October 14 to discuss escalating U.S. trade threats, punishing tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles, and the urgent need for a coordinated national strategy to defend Canadian auto jobs.

“America is bold enough that the U.S. Commerce Secretary has said out loud that the Trump administration’s goal is the elimination of assembly plants in Canada. We need an equally bold, coordinated Team Canada approach to fight back,” said Payne.