Government and Democracy

TORONTO—Unifor denounces federal funding cuts to public transit, which threaten safe, reliable service and push costs onto working people and municipalities already under strain.

“Public transit is a public good and there is no better time to invest in both the services and the manufacturing of strong public transit in cities across Canada,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Cuts to transit funding don’t save money. They shift the burden onto cities, workers, and riders through service reductions, fare hikes, and deteriorating working conditions.”

TORONTO– Unifor welcomes measures in the new federal auto policy to map the direction of industry, with the understanding that this plan must be backed by bold action to safeguard Canadian auto jobs and ensure a future for autoworkers at idled plants in both Brampton and Ingersoll. 

“We need a strategy that reassures workers that automaking has a future in Canada, regardless of U.S. trade attacks,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Unifor Local 89 President Alex Dumais presented testimony about the province’s forestry sector to the Ontario Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on January 27.

Members of one of the largest auto locals in the country sent a clear and united message to Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government, unanimously passing a motion stating that Unifor Local 222 does not support opening the door to cheap, subsidized Chinese EV imports at the expense of Canadian auto jobs.

Unifor National President Lana Payne brought the concerns of Unifor forestry sector members to the inaugural meeting of the federal government’s new Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force, held January 19 in Vancouver.  

Unifor is calling on the Quebec and federal governments to take immediate action to prevent irreversible damage to the F.F. Soucy mill and preserve any chance of a future restart.

RIVIÈRE-DU-LOUP — Following the bankruptcy of F.F. Soucy, Unifor is urging both levels of government to intervene without delay to ensure the mill remains heated and powered, and that skilled workers are retained to safely operate and maintain critical equipment.

Montreal – Unifor Quebec acknowledges the announcement that François Legault is stepping down as Premier of Quebec. While this decision marks the end of a political cycle in the province, it is essential that it open the door to a profound re-examination of the policies that have undermined workers, public services and social dialogue in Quebec.

On International Migrants Day, Unifor recognizes and celebrates the invaluable contributions of migrants across Canada and around the world. 

This year’s theme, “One City, Many Journeys – Honouring Migrants and Shaping a Shared Future”, is a reminder that migrant workers are integral to our workplaces, our communities, and our collective future.

Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray, Atlantic Area Director Mike MacMullin and Forestry Director Ian Hutchison met with several representatives from the New Brunswick government to discuss supporting good jobs in the province and the need to avoid future layoffs due to escalating energy costs.

Unifor Québec members, supported by a large delegation of Unifor members from Ontario, gathered in Montréal on November 29 as part of a major inter-union rally that brought together more than 50,000 people to denounce the attacks by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) on union rights and democracy, notably through Bill 3.