Canada’s Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, announces new measures to support workers and employers facing tariffs and economic pressures. She reveals these initiatives during a visit to Unifor Local 444 in Windsor.
New Workforce Alliances in Key Sectors
The announcement builds on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent creation of a workforce alliance focused on advanced manufacturing. This alliance unites governments, industry, labor, and training partners to tackle bottlenecks and spur investments.
Hajdu introduces five additional alliances targeting critical sectors that shape daily life for Canadians: housing and construction, transportation and supply chains, energy and electricity, mining and minerals, and the care economy.
“Canada’s workforce thrives when employers and training partners collaborate,” Hajdu states. “These investments equip workers with essential skills to adapt amid external pressures, advancing industrial priorities and delivering real benefits.”
Stellantis Revives Third Shift in Windsor
Stellantis starts its third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant today, bringing back 1,700 jobs.
Hajdu and officials plan further talks with employers, unions, educational institutions, industry groups, and Indigenous partners to set leadership and priorities for all six alliances.
In Windsor, she engages advanced manufacturing leaders in the auto industry to explore training investments aligned with sector demands.
Union Leader Welcomes Government Dialogue
James Stewart, president of Local 444, expresses satisfaction with ongoing discussions. “We’re pleased that workers’ voices resonate in talks on tariffs and the economy,” he says.
“A robust auto manufacturing sector in Windsor and Canada sustains communities and safeguards the economy,” Stewart adds.
Worker Retention Grant Now Open
The government opens applications for the new Worker Retention Grant aimed at work-sharing employers. This $102.7 million investment over two years enhances the Work-Sharing program, enabling businesses to prevent layoffs by distributing available work while workers receive Employment Insurance for reduced hours.
Addressing Trade Tensions and Tariffs
Hajdu comments on U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and their effects. Residents feel “pretty upset,” with “grief and fear” common in this auto-dependent region, she notes.
“Deep concerns loom over the auto sector’s future,” Hajdu observes. “Canada fights for these jobs, a renewed Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and tariff relief. We’re not assuming success—we’re advancing our manufacturing and automotive strategies.”
