Government and Democracy

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. 

WASHINGTON— Unifor warns that Canada must act to protect workers and Canadian jobs amid the continued threat of U.S. tariffs in the Trump era. 
 

“The looming tariff threat serves as a real wake up call on the need to mitigate the risk to Canadian workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 
 

President Trump indicated that he may move ahead with a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff on Canadian goods as soon as February 1, 2025. 
 

THUNDER BAY, ONT.—Unifor welcomes today’s Ontario commitment to spend nearly $500 million to refurbish 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches, which is expected to support hundreds of jobs for Unifor Local 1075 members at the Alstom facility in Thunder Bay.

“This investment extends the life of the manufacturing facility in Thunder Bay and introduces some near-term stability for hundreds of Unifor members and their families,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.