Unions call for greater protection of workers, jobs
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is calling on Canadian governments to take decisive action to support workers amid the country’s ongoing tariff dispute with the United States.
“We must protect Canadian jobs and industries through retaliation and investments in our future,” said the CLC in a statement. “We must enhance Employment Insurance benefits, expand Work-Sharing programs and provide direct financial support to those at the frontlines of this trade war.”
Beyond immediate financial support, the CLC is also urging governments to rebuild manufacturing, strengthen Canada’s supply chains, and create union jobs.
“This is a time for action. Canadians expect a strong and decisive response that meets this attack with the full weight of our country’s power. This is not a moment for half-measures or empty words,” the group said.
“We need our governments to match the ambition of Canadians in defence of this country. This war will not be won on the cheap.”
With Trump pushing through with the implementation of the tariffs on Canada, the Canadian unemployment rate could surge, according to James Orlando, director of economics at TD Bank.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is calling for a “worker-focused response” to the crisis posed by President Donald Trump’s “assault on Canadian workers”.
“Our response must be about more than just ‘buying Canadian’,” said the union. “This is our opportunity to reshape the Canadian economy into something that truly works for the people. We must advance public solutions in key sectors like agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, and natural resources, and diversify markets for Canadian products beyond the United States.”
The union also notes that it will build “strong coalitions across the labour movement”.
Meanwhile, the United Steelworkers union (USW) noted that the U.S tariffs on Canadian exports is “a reckless economic attack that threatens workers, their families and the communities that depend on the jobs under attack by the U.S. president”.
“These tariffs are a direct assault on Canadian workers and the federal government must act decisively,” said Marty Warren, USW Canadian national director.
“We need strong and immediate responses from the federal government, both in terms of retaliatory measures and support for workers who could and will be affected by the U.S. president’s harmful policies. We also need to start reviewing our industrial policies now, to reduce our dependence on the U.S., starting with domestic procurement policies for projects financed with public money. Canada cannot afford to hesitate – we must send a clear message: we will not be intimidated.”
Half (50%) of Canadian employers are reducing production or laying off employees in anticipation of tariffs. And over a quarter (28%) say they will start reducing headcount and production four to six months into a tariff war, according to a KPMG survey.
