Government and Democracy

LONDON— The Unifor Auto Council and Independent Parts Suppliers (IPS) Council held an emergency joint meeting today to address the ongoing tariff threat and U.S. President Donald Trump’s open demand for Canadian auto and parts jobs to be moved to the United States.  

In an International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) webinar this week, Unifor shed light on how United States President Donald Trump’s attacks on press freedom in the U.S. has ushered in a similar ripple effect in Canadian media.

EDMONTON—The Alberta government’s 2025 budget delivers tax cuts while shifting costs onto workers, underfunding public services, and funnelling more money into private schools at the expense of the public education system.  

“Workers aren’t fooled by this government’s spin,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This budget gives tax cuts with one hand but takes from workers with the other through higher fees, property tax hikes, and underfunding public education and health care.”  

Unifor is calling on all provincial and territorial governments to follow Manitoba’s lead after the province became the first to join the national pharmacare program.

Unifor will take the concerns of workers to three government taskforces aimed at safeguarding Canadian jobs: the Manitoba U.S. Trade Council, the B.C. Trade and Economic Security Taskforce, and the B.C. Softwood Lumber Advisory Council.

TORONTO, Ont.-Unifor is urging Canada’s largest grocery stores, owned by Empire, Loblaw and Metro, to prioritize the purchasing and promotion of made in Canada products in response to the Trump administration’s reckless trade war against Canadian workers. 

In a letter to the CEOs of Empire, Loblaw and Metro, Unifor National President Lana Payne encouraged the grocers to make it easier for shoppers to identify made in Canada products on their shelves to support domestic industries and protect jobs.

ST. JOHN’S—Unifor participated in Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey’s trade roundtable’s most recent meeting today, calling for swift action to protect workers, particularly in the province’s trade-exposed sectors like oil and gas, forestry and the fishery.

Premier Doug Ford has called an early election. Ontarians are heading to the polls on Thursday, February 27. 

“This election is an opportunity to tell candidates what workers expect from their next government, said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “In this election, Unifor calls on all parties to protect workers, secure the economy, and save public services.”  

View Samia’s video message: 

In his government’s mandate letter to B.C. Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey, Premier Eby recognized the epidemic of gender-based violence and empowered Bailey to take steps to address the crisis.  

MONTREAL - Unifor denounces Amazon's decision to close seven warehouses in Quebec. The union also reaffirms support for the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), which has fought to improve conditions for Quebec’s unionized Amazon workers.