13.62°C Vancouver

Apr 25, 2024 6:02 PM - The Canadian Press

Conservatives, NDP demand Ottawa protect Canadians' jobs at new EV plants

Share On
conservatives-ndp-demand-ottawa-protect-canadians-jobs-at-new-ev-plants
Canada's Building Trades Union says Canadian workers are being sidelined in favour of foreign workers at the NextStar battery plant in Windsor, Ont., owned by Stellantis and LG Energy Solution.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Federal Conservatives and New Democrats are demanding assurances from Ottawa that local jobs will be protected at new electric-vehicle plants.

Canada's Building Trades Union says Canadian workers are being sidelined in favour of foreign workers at the NextStar battery plant in Windsor, Ont., owned by Stellantis and LG Energy Solution.

Both Stellantis and the federal government say foreign workers account for just 72 jobs, and specialized equipment is being installed that Canadians will be taught to use.

But the union's executive director Sean Strickland says those are tasks that Canadian workers can already handle.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the latest multi-billion dollar EV project in southern Ontario today as the Canadian auto industry sees a battery-powered renaissance.

Trudeau sidestepped a question about how jobs for Canadian workers can be protected under the Honda deal.

Latest news

WorldOct 19, 2026

Landmine Blast, Gunfire Kill 15 in Nigeria, Including 10 Soldiers

At least 15 people, including 10 Nigerian soldiers, were killed in a landmine explosion and gunfire targeting a military convoy in Borno State, Nigeria. The victims also included five members of the Civilian Joint Task Force. Six soldiers were injured in the attack and were taken to hospital. According to reports, soldiers from a battalion in Gamboru were patrolling a road between Gamboru Ngala and neighbouring Cameroon on Saturday when a pickup truck struck a landmine suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram militants. Eight soldiers travelling in the vehicle were killed on the spot. The
amit-shah-likely-to-meet-family-of-parvinder-singh-jhota-during-punjab-visit
IndiaOct 19, 2026

Amit Shah Likely to Meet Family of Parvinder Singh Jhota During Punjab Visit

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to meet the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa during his scheduled Punjab visit on October 20. Jhota had raised his voice against drug abuse in Punjab, and his death has sparked demands for justice. Discussions are ongoing over the response of the Justice Committee and various groups to Shah’s visit. The committee had announced its decision to oppose the visit. However, Bhim Singh, Jhota’s father, has appealed to people not to oppose the Union Home Minister. Ahead of Shah’s visit, he urged various groups to prioritize the family’s demand f
canadas-annual-inflation-rate-rises-to-3-1-in-september
CanadaOct 19, 2026

Canada’s Annual Inflation Rate Rises to 3.1% in September

Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.1 per cent in September, slightly exceeding the Bank of Canada’s upper target limit of 3 per cent. Inflation had remained steady at 3 per cent in August. According to a report released by Statistics Canada on Monday, higher gasoline and diesel prices were the main contributors to the increase in inflation last month. Food prices also rose, although the pace of growth was slower than in the previous month. Statistics Canada reported that grocery prices increased by 1.7 per cent year over year in September, down from 2.8 per cent in August. This marke
AlbertaOct 19, 2026

Alberta Votes in Historic Referendum on Separation from Canada

Albertans are voting today in a historic referendum that will determine whether the province should begin a legal process and formal voting on separating from Canada in the future. Around 1.3 million Albertans have already cast their ballots through mail-in voting or advance polls. Premier Danielle Smith has voted in favour of Alberta remaining part of Canada. The ballot paper contains 10 questions. Nine relate to immigration, constitutional issues and demands for greater provincial powers from the federal government, while the 10th concerns separation from Canada. Last week, Prime Minister Ma
four-canadian-soldiers-killed-in-explosion-at-alberta-military-training-base
FeaturedOct 19, 2026

Four Canadian Soldiers Killed in Explosion at Alberta Military Training Base

Four Canadian Armed Forces personnel were killed in an explosion following a wildfire at the Wainwright military training base in Alberta on Saturday, while 39 other soldiers suffered serious burn injuries. Nineteen of the injured remain in critical condition. Military officials acknowledged that they had been aware of the fire but initially did not consider it a threat, as it was approximately one kilometre away and appeared to be under control. Live-fire training was therefore allowed to continue. However, strong gusts of wind suddenly changed the fire’s direction in the evening, allowing

Related News