Unifor is calling on all levels of government to finalize a sole-source contract with Alstom’s Thunder Bay plant for the production of new subway cars for the Toronto Transit Commission, warning that continued delays could threaten Canadian manufacturing jobs.
Despite commitments of funding and public support for the procurement, Unifor says no formal agreement has been signed to confirm the contract. The union represents workers at Alstom’s Thunder Bay facility, where it says 55 new subway cars could be built to replace aging vehicles on Toronto’s Bloor-Danforth line.
“We don’t understand the hold up,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor has been patiently waiting for all three levels to sign on and commit to these important manufacturing jobs for Canadian workers – but so far, we haven’t seen any ink on paper.”
The project, supported by $758 million in federal funding announced last November, is expected to replace TTC subway cars that will reach the end of their 30-year lifespan next year. In recent months, senior government officials including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow have voiced their support for awarding the contract directly to Alstom without a competitive tender, citing both economic and geopolitical considerations.
Premier Ford and Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria pushed for the sole-source arrangement in April, referencing the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. Toronto had already moved in March to block American firms from bidding on city contracts.
Chow publicly backed the Alstom deal in June.
Unifor said the delay in finalizing the agreement is frustrating given the political support already in place and the economic stakes for local workers.
“If there was ever a time to use Canadian procurement dollars to support Canadians and, in this case, Canadian-built transit, it is now,” said Payne.
The Thunder Bay facility was already bolstered earlier this year when the Ontario government pledged nearly $500 million to refurbish 181 GO Transit bi-level coaches—a contract expected to support hundreds of jobs at the plant.
“With the ongoing trade war, Made-in-Canada has never been so important,” said Unifor Local 1075 President Justin Roberts. “Our members are highly skilled and ready to build this transit. This should be a no-brainer given the times we are in.”
