Skip to Main content

5.13°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Podcast Contact Us

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

danielle-smith-defends-proposal-to-redraw-alberta-electoral-boundaries

AlbertaNov 03, 2026

Danielle Smith Defends Proposal to Redraw Alberta Electoral Boundaries

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has strongly defended a proposal to redraw the province’s electoral boundaries, which the Opposition NDP has described as fraudulent. A report released Monday proposes splitting Lethbridge’s two existing ridings into four. Under the proposal, one riding would be entirely urban, while the other three would combine parts of the city with neighbouring rural communities. Smith said such hybrid ridings are already an accepted practice and are working well in other parts of the province. “I think Lethbridge will be very well served by having four representatives,

CanadaNov 03, 2026

Final Arguments Conclude in $22M Pearson Airport Gold Heist Trial

Final arguments have been completed in the trial of former Air Canada employee Parmpal Sidhu, who is accused of being involved in the largest gold heist in Canadian history at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2023. The case is now in the hands of the judge, who is expected to deliver a verdict in late January 2027. Prosecutors argued in court that Sidhu played a key role in the alleged conspiracy by preparing fraudulent waybills to release more than $22 million worth of gold and currency. However, the defence lawyer rejected the allegations, arguing that Sidhu was framed by Simranpreet

CanadaNov 03, 2026

Canada’s Agriculture Minister Visits China to Strengthen Agricultural Trade Ties

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, is currently visiting China, where he is meeting with Chinese government and industry officials to advance Canada’s agricultural trade interests. During the visit, MacDonald will attend the China International Import Expo, taking place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Notably, Canada has been named the Guest Country of Honour at this year’s event, providing an opportunity for Canadian businesses to expand their presence in the Chinese market and promote Canadian products. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and pr

trump-says-us-to-end-annual-military-aid-to-israel-after-2026

WorldNov 03, 2026

Trump Says US to End Annual Military Aid to Israel After 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end annual American military aid to Israel after this year, saying the country no longer needs the assistance. Trump said the United States currently provides Israel with $4 billion in military aid annually and that the two leaders had agreed several months ago to phase out the funding. He also accused some Democratic and left-wing leaders of using the issue of U.S. funding to criticize the Republican Party. However, Trump emphasized that the United States would still hel

CanadaNov 03, 2026

Crown Seeks 14-Year Prison Sentence for Winnipeg Truck Driver in $1M Cocaine Case

The Crown has requested a 14-year prison sentence for 36-year-old Winnipeg truck driver Harpreet Singh in connection with a cocaine seizure worth nearly $1 million at Ontario’s Ambassador Bridge in 2022. The sentencing request was made in a Windsor court. The incident dates back to August 1, 2022. At approximately 1:23 a.m., Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers stopped two truck drivers, Harpreet Singh and Narinder Singh, for inspection. The two drivers were transporting a shipment of hot tubs from Arizona to Hamilton under a job assigned by a Winnipeg-based transportation company.

Related News

Final Arguments Conclude in $22M Pearson Airport Gold Heist Trial

Final Arguments Conclude in $22M Pearson Airport Gold Heist Trial

Final arguments have been completed in the trial of former Air Canada employee Parmpal Sidhu, who is accused of being involved in the largest gold heist in Canadian history at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2023. The case is now in the hands of the judge, who is expected to deliver a verdict in late January 2027. Prosecutors argued in court that Sidhu played a key role in the alleged conspiracy by preparing fraudulent waybills to release more than $22 million worth of gold and currency. However, the defence lawyer rejected the allegations, arguing that Sidhu was framed by Simranpreet

Canada’s Agriculture Minister Visits China to Strengthen Agricultural Trade Ties

Canada’s Agriculture Minister Visits China to Strengthen Agricultural Trade Ties

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, is currently visiting China, where he is meeting with Chinese government and industry officials to advance Canada’s agricultural trade interests. During the visit, MacDonald will attend the China International Import Expo, taking place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Notably, Canada has been named the Guest Country of Honour at this year’s event, providing an opportunity for Canadian businesses to expand their presence in the Chinese market and promote Canadian products. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and pr

Crown Seeks 14-Year Prison Sentence for Winnipeg Truck Driver in $1M Cocaine Case

Crown Seeks 14-Year Prison Sentence for Winnipeg Truck Driver in $1M Cocaine Case

The Crown has requested a 14-year prison sentence for 36-year-old Winnipeg truck driver Harpreet Singh in connection with a cocaine seizure worth nearly $1 million at Ontario’s Ambassador Bridge in 2022. The sentencing request was made in a Windsor court. The incident dates back to August 1, 2022. At approximately 1:23 a.m., Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers stopped two truck drivers, Harpreet Singh and Narinder Singh, for inspection. The two drivers were transporting a shipment of hot tubs from Arizona to Hamilton under a job assigned by a Winnipeg-based transportation company.

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital