Federal measures aimed at supporting Canadian workers and industries affected by U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions are a step forward, but more comprehensive action is needed, says Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union.
Unifor praised the government’s adjustments to Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, including the removal of the 20 per cent sales requirement for 2026, calling it necessary temporary relief for the domestic auto industry.
“We cannot surrender the future of EV production to overseas automakers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Canada needs consumer incentives, investments in domestic EV supply chains, and for automakers to start building affordable EVs here in Canada. A mandate alone won’t secure a Canadian EV industry—we need a full industrial strategy that ensures we both make and sell EVs in this country.”
Other government initiatives were also welcomed, but face calls for more detail. These include a Canadian content policy, improvements to Employment Insurance benefits for long-tenured workers, and a $382-million Workforce Alliances program over five years. Unifor stressed the need for permanent changes and broader industrial development strategies.
The government also announced a $5-billion Strategic Response Fund to help trade-exposed industries adapt and diversify, along with a $450-million skills package aimed at retraining 50,000 workers. New biofuel incentives worth $370 million over two years were highlighted as a boost for Canadian producers facing competition from heavily subsidized U.S. imports.
“These measures show progress, but this is the time for bold action to make transformative change in our economy,” Payne said. “Workers in auto, aluminum, steel, forestry, energy, and beyond need permanent protections, ambitious industrial strategies, and a sustained Buy Canadian approach that puts our jobs and communities first.”
Unifor represents 320,000 workers across major sectors of the Canadian economy, advocating for workers’ rights, equality, and social justice.