Latest News

OFL, Labour leaders to Doug Ford: destabilizing the province for personal political gain is “reckless and irresponsible”

January 27, 2025

TORONTO — Over 30 labour leaders from Ontario’s private, public, and trades sectors gathered on Monday, Jan. 27, to demand that Doug Ford immediately establish a tariff taskforce and develop a unified strategy to confront the economic and social impacts of U.S.-imposed tariffs.

“Doug Ford’s decision to shut down the legislature—destabilizing the province in favour of heading to the polls for his own political gain—is opportunistic, reckless, and irresponsible,” said Laura Walton, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL). “It’s not Doug Ford who will pay the price for these tariffs; it’s Ontario workers, their families, and the communities they call home. British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Manitoba have all established tariff tables to address the threat to jobs and communities. It’s time Ontario followed suit.”

Kevon Stewart, Director of United Steelworkers (USW) District 6, warned of the devastating consequences tariffs could bring to critical industries.

“Our members—particularly those in steel, aluminum, auto, and manufacturing—are deeply concerned about their future. These punitive tariffs threaten to devastate entire industries, cost thousands of good jobs, and severely disrupt the supply chains that sustain communities across Ontario.”

Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, pointed to Ford’s motives and called for action from voters. “By calling this election, Doug Ford is trying to distract us from his record of failure as Premier. But the people of Ontario won’t be fooled by his game of blame and bribes. This election is about Ontario’s workers, families, and the future. We can and we must use the power of our votes to fire Ford, so that anyone who works for a living can finally get ahead.”

JP Hornick, President of OPSEU/SEFPO, called out Ford’s decision: “Calling an election is not a ‘bold move’ to tackle the Trump threat head-on. It’s a decision to do nothing for a month.”

Erin Ariss, RN, Provincial President of the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), condemned Ford’s inaction on the health-care crisis. “We cannot stand idly by as Doug Ford unnecessarily shuts down the legislature while Ontario’s health-care system is in chaos,” said Ariss. “Front-line health-care workers know how outrageous it is to see politicians focused on getting re-elected while urgent issues, like addressing the nursing shortage, remain ignored.”

Labour leaders issued a united call for immediate action, warning that failure to act will leave Ontario’s workers and communities to bear the brunt. Ontarians must fight back at the polls for the leadership they deserve.

The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. It is the largest provincial labour federation in Canada. Visit OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and TikTok.

Join our newsletter

Recent news

Featured image for Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel

Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel

February 18, 2025 | Media Releases

HAMILTON – With job losses already a reality, United Steelworkers union (USW) representatives met today in Hamilton to underscore the urgency of a national program to protect Canadian workers from the Trump administration’s threats of devastating, unprecedented tariffs. USW members from five manufacturing and steel plants in Hamilton and the nearby community of Nanticoke held […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel
A photo of group of people taking a photo in a park wearing winter clothes while smiling to the camera.

Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – December 2024

February 14, 2025 | Publications

Temporary foreign workers, permanent exploitation Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) in Canada are trapped in an unjust labour system that favours employers and erodes workers’ access to proper wages and occupational safety because of their immigration status. Under a “closed” work permit, their contract binds them to one employer, a situation that makes them at risk […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – December 2024
a group of people sitting inside a white tent with white and bleu flag

District 6 Update: A year of wins and progress for USW District 6

February 14, 2025 | News Articles

As the new USW District 6 Director, I am honoured to share our significant achievements over the past year. Our collective efforts have strengthened our organizing initiatives and led to notable bargaining successes that advance workers’ rights across Ontario and the Atlantic provinces. A highlight of our bargaining victories was at IMT Defence in Ingersoll, […]

Read More
Click to read the article about District 6 Update: A year of wins and progress for USW District 6