Unifor workers rally in Vancouver to ‘protect Canadian jobs’

A Unifor rally was held in Downtown Vancouver on Thursday at the city’s convention centre. More than 1,500 attendees came together for the union’s 5th Constitutional Convention in the name of ‘protecting Canadian jobs.’

“The entire auto industry, the entire forest industry, the aluminum industry, the steel industry, the aerospace industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the entire industrial base of Canada is at risk unless we all stand up to defend it,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

The union says they are committed to fighting back against the effects of U.S. President Trump’s trade war — including what they are calling unjust tariffs on Canada’s steel, aluminum, softwood lumber, and auto sectors.

“Every step of the way when you take on President Trump, when you take on the tariffs, when you stand up for good Canadian jobs, CUPE will be there, standing side by side with you, until we get the deal that we need,” said National President of CUPE, Mark Hancock.

They say there are growing concerns over a recent move by the U.S. to make hundreds more product categories subject to the country’s 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum content.

“We are going to do whatever it takes to protect Canadian jobs from the clutches of Donald Trump,” said Payne.

The addition of 407 categories of products, ranging from bulldozers to furniture to wind turbines, came into effect last week — adding pressure and increasing costs to those hoping to sell into the U.S. market.

Most of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on goods from the U.S. are set to be removed on September 1.

Additionally, Prime Minister Mark Carney looks to match the American tariff exemptions for goods covered under the Canada – U.S. – Mexico agreement on trade — a decision Trump was happy to see.

“I want to be very good to Canada — I like Carney a lot, I think he’s a good person, and we had a good talk,” said Trump in front of reporters.

Because of this, consumers could soon notice prices come down at the grocery stores for some of the things that were tariffed, like orange juice, some American spices, nuts, baked goods, and more.

But not everyone thinks this was the right decision, as Unifor calls out Carney for losing leverage against Trump.

“I was opposed to this. I think it’s important that we keep as much leverage and as much pressure on the United States as possible. In fact, I would argue there are other things we have to put on the table,” explained Payne.