Unifor is raising concerns about the future of Canada’s auto industry following Honda’s decision to delay its $15 billion electric vehicle (EV) supply chain project in Ontario — a move the union says is influenced by escalating U.S. trade barriers under former President Donald Trump.
“Honda’s decision is the latest blow to Canadian autoworkers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Trump’s rollback of EV policies and his punishing tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles are killing jobs week after week and threatening the future of our industry.”
The plan, originally announced in April 2024, outlined the creation of four new manufacturing facilities in Alliston, Ontario, with the capacity to produce up to 240,000 EVs annually. Although Unifor does not represent Honda’s Alliston workforce directly, the union represents workers in its supply chain and sees the delay as a significant threat to Canadian jobs.
Canada’s auto industry has already seen setbacks in recent months. General Motors paused production of its BrightDrop electric van at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll and plans to reduce a shift at Oshawa Assembly this fall — both tied to Trump’s 25% tariff on Canadian-assembled vehicles introduced on April 3.
While the Canadian government responded with equivalent tariffs, the U.S. exempted Canadian-made auto parts, which Unifor argues is a calculated move to protect U.S. production while pressuring manufacturers to relocate vehicle assembly operations south of the border.
“These policies are designed to intimidate companies into abandoning Canada,” Payne said. “This isn’t about fair trade — it’s economic sabotage.”
Unifor is calling on the federal government to act urgently by implementing stronger job protections, ramping up investment in Canadian auto manufacturing, and establishing a clear strategy to support the EV transition in the face of rising U.S. protectionism and global competition, particularly from China.
The union is also urging Ottawa to revoke tariff-free access for automakers that cancel or shift Canadian investments to the U.S.
Unifor represents 320,000 workers across Canada, making it the largest private sector union in the country. It continues to advocate for workers’ rights, social justice, and a strong future for Canadian industry.
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