Unifor is urging provincial governments to take immediate steps to protect workers in trade-exposed sectors as concerns grow over potential U.S. tariffs.
The union participated in a trade roundtable convened by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey on Thursday, where it pushed for stronger income supports and strategic resource management to shield workers from economic fallout.
“If sweeping tariffs are imposed by the U.S., workers will feel the impacts quickly, so we are discussing ways the province can prepare and be ready to support workers in parallel with the federal government’s plans,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray following the meeting in St. John’s.
The Newfoundland and Labrador roundtable includes representatives from labour, industry and government. It was formed after Unifor National President Lana Payne was appointed to the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations. Payne said she welcomed Furey’s initiative but stressed that all provinces need to act now.
“Premiers can’t sit back and wait for the federal government to handle what’s on the horizon—strategic conversations like these have to be happening at the regional level at the same time,” she said.
Unifor has called for pre-emptive measures, including improved access to Employment Insurance and other income assistance programs, to help workers in sectors such as oil and gas, forestry and the fishery. The union is also advocating for provinces to use public procurement policies to support industrial development.
Murray urged the premiers of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to follow Newfoundland and Labrador’s lead and form their own roundtables to address the potential impact of trade disruptions.
“We have now met several times as the Newfoundland and Labrador roundtable and are finding these meetings productive as we discuss ways to support key sectors where jobs and livelihoods are threatened by a looming trade war with the U.S.,” she said. “It is essential for each province to strategize and take pre-emptive action in the new environment we find ourselves in.”
Murray also backed a call from Nova Scotia’s opposition leader, Claudia Chender, for Premier Tim Houston to convene a similar discussion.
“To assure our collective success, each province must use the talent and insight available across government, business and labour to address its own unique challenges and opportunities,” Murray said.
Unifor, which represents 320,000 workers across Canada, held a webinar this week to mobilize its members on the issue.
