9.77°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

WorldMar 16, 2026

Lebanon says Israeli attacks have killed nearly 900 people since March 2

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says the death toll from Israeli air and ground attacks since March 2 has risen to nearly 900 as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, at least 886 people have been killed and 2,141 others injured during Israeli strikes across parts of Lebanon over the past two weeks. The ministry said the attacks have also affected the country’s health-care system. Medical teams responding to emergencies were among those hit during the strikes. At least 38 health workers have been killed and another 69 injured w
ihit-takes-over-surrey-homicide-investigation-after-fatal-laurel-drive-shooting
CanadaMar 16, 2026

IHIT takes over Surrey homicide investigation after fatal Laurel Drive shooting

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting early Saturday at a residence in Surrey. According to an IHIT news release, officers with the Surrey Police Service responded at about 1:40 a.m. to reports of shots fired inside a home in the 13900 block of Laurel Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said officers immediately provided first aid until paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services arrived. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene. A man was arrested at the residence an
ottawa-commits-200m-toward-canadian-satellite-launch-pad-in-nova-scotia
CanadaMar 16, 2026

Ottawa commits $200M toward Canadian satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia

The federal government says it will invest $200 million over the next decade to secure access to a Canadian-owned satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia, part of a broader effort to build domestic space and defence capabilities. Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the initiative Monday at a laboratory operated by the Canadian Space Agency in Ottawa. The funding will be used to lease a launch pad near Canso that Ottawa says will form the foundation for a future Canadian spaceport. Canada currently relies on other countries, primarily the United States, to send satellites into orbit because i
environment-canada-warns-of-heavy-rain-wind-and-snow-across-parts-of-b-c-as-atmospheric-river-approaches
BCMar 16, 2026

Environment Canada warns of heavy rain, wind and snow across parts of B.C. as atmospheric river approaches

Environment Canada says parts of British Columbia are expected to see heavy rain, strong winds and periods of snow this week as an atmospheric river approaches the coast. The federal forecaster says Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound could receive up to 150 millimetres of rain by Wednesday, with prolonged heavy rainfall forecast to begin early this week. According to Environment Canada weather warnings, some areas could also see rain mixed with snow, raising concerns about rising river levels and localized flooding. Environment Canada has issued yellow weather warnings indicati
81-year-old-man-charged-with-second-degree-murder-after-fatal-shooting-at-port-alberni-trailer-park
BCMar 16, 2026

81-year-old man charged with second-degree murder after fatal shooting at Port Alberni trailer park

An 81-year-old man from Port Alberni has been charged with second-degree murder after a fatal shooting at a trailer park on Vancouver Island Friday night. According to a statement from the B.C. RCMP, Port Alberni RCMP officers were called to a report of a shooting at about 9 p.m. Officers who arrived at the scene found three men, including one who had suffered a gunshot wound. Police say the injured man died at the scene. His identity has not been released. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken conduct of the investigation and is working with Port Alberni RCMP. In a statem

Related News