Unifor is supporting Premier Doug Ford’s call for Toronto to have its Line 2 subway cars manufactured at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay, a move that would secure jobs for northern Ontario workers amid growing trade tensions with the United States.
The premier has urged Toronto to consider a sole-source deal with Alstom for 55 new subway cars needed to replace the aging fleet on the Bloor-Danforth line, which will reach the end of its 30-year service life next year.
“Unifor backs the push to see our Thunder Bay members building subway cars for Toronto,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Ensuring different levels of governments are coordinating to put procurement dollars to work and maximize Canadian jobs is always good policy and, in these times, even more so.”
The push comes as Canadian manufacturers face increasing pressure from U.S. trade policies. Toronto had already moved in March to bar American firms from bidding on city contracts in response to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Job security in focus
If awarded the contract, members of Unifor Local 1075 employed at the Thunder Bay facility would build the replacement subway cars.
“Our members are ready and eager to build these subway cars,” said Unifor Local 1075 President Justin Roberts. “We’re hopeful that we’ll be given more opportunities, which in turn, will help our communities grow and thrive.”
The proposal follows Ontario’s January commitment to spend nearly $500 million refurbishing 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches at the same plant, a project expected to support hundreds of jobs in the region.
Made-in-Canada strategy
Unifor views these contracts as part of a broader economic strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
“We have a pivotal moment to prioritize supporting our local industries and bolstering Canada’s economy by creating sustainable, good-paying jobs right here in Ontario,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.
The union notes that Canadian governments are expected to invest tens of billions in transit vehicles in the coming years. The transit vehicle manufacturing sector represents approximately $2.9 billion in GDP, and unions argue that leveraging procurement dollars to maximize Canadian content supports domestic jobs while providing reliable vehicles.
