Over 1,500 union members gathered for a Unifor rally at the Vancouver Convention Centre to protect Canadian jobs. Unifor National President Lana Payne emphasized the need to defend various industries from the threats posed by President Trump’s trade war.
The union is taking a stand against the unjust tariffs imposed on Canada’s steel, aluminum, softwood lumber, and auto sectors. Mark Hancock, National President of CUPE, expressed solidarity in the fight for good Canadian jobs, vowing to support efforts against the detrimental effects of the tariffs.
Concerns have escalated with the U.S. expanding tariffs to include additional product categories, impacting various sectors and increasing costs for Canadian businesses. Despite this, Canada plans to lift most retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods by September 1.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to align Canadian tariff exemptions with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement has received praise from President Trump, potentially leading to reduced prices for consumers on previously tariffed goods.
However, Unifor criticizes Carney for what they view as a loss of leverage in negotiations with the United States, advocating for a stronger stance to protect Canadian interests.