Unifor is urging the federal government to prepare for possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods as early as Feb. 1, 2025, saying employers should brace for significant risks to jobs and investment.
“The looming tariff threat serves as a real wake-up call on the need to mitigate the risk to Canadian workers,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “The reality is that Trump could impose punishing tariffs at any time while continuing to make demands for concessions from Canada. This intentional strategy of constant chaos and the mere threat of tariffs is damaging to jobs, investment and our economy.”
Payne made the comments Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C., where she joined Canadian stakeholders at the Canadian Embassy on Inauguration Day. She was appointed to the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and is a member of the industry-led Canada U.S. Trade Council.
Unifor outlined steps it wants Ottawa to take in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including enhanced income supports, expanded Employment Insurance access, and other special income assistance programs if tariffs are imposed. The union also called for more robust management of strategic resources through industrial policy, along with reciprocal procurement rules to leverage public purchasing for industrial development.
In the event President Donald Trump follows through on a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff, Unifor said the federal government should respond with targeted and strategic tariff retaliation and emergency relief programs to help protect Canadian industries.
“Unifor has been clear that a 25 per cent tariff would be devastating to both Canadian and American workers,” said Payne. “We cannot afford to let down our guard and taking proactive measures to protect Canadian jobs just makes sense.”
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in a range of industries.
