Unifor has presented its recommendations for strengthening Buy Canadian policies before a federal committee, emphasizing the need to rebuild Canada's industrial capacity in the face of trade tensions with the United States.
Unifor's Appearance Before Parliamentary Committee
Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director, appeared before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) on June 16, 2026, as part of its examination of the federal government's Buy Canadian policy. The trade war launched by the United States has highlighted Canada's economic vulnerability and the urgency of bolstering domestic industrial capacity, Cloutier stated.
“Buying Canadian isn’t an expense,” Cloutier said. “It’s an investment in our resilience. Unifor members aren’t asking for charity. They’re asking for a chance to build here what governments buy here.”
Unifor National President Lana Payne added, “Public investment represents a unique opportunity to support good jobs and Canadian manufacturing expertise. By promoting more Canadian content in public procurement, we can help build a stronger economy for the future.”
Impact on PACCAR Plant
Cloutier highlighted the dire situation at PACCAR in Ste-Thérèse, Canada’s last remaining truck assembly plant. Since the trade war began, the plant has experienced multiple rounds of layoffs, losing nearly 800 jobs, with daily production plummeting from 92 to 25 trucks. Unifor argues that governments can leverage procurement policies to support such struggling manufacturing facilities.
Three Key Recommendations
During his testimony, Cloutier presented three main recommendations for strengthening Buy Canadian policies:
- Apply Buy Canadian rules to major strategic contracts financed by public funds that have not yet been awarded, including VIA Rail’s $3-billion contract for new railcars and locomotives.
- Exclude U.S. suppliers from any preferential treatment in future reciprocal procurement policies.
- Use available legislative tools to discourage companies from relocating production to the United States in response to unjustified trade measures.
Cloutier also urged the government to reconsider the “lowest bidder” principle, advocating for criteria such as local content, industrial footprint, and manufacturing sovereignty.
“When our industrial footprint is eroded, jobs, tax revenue and communities disappear,” Cloutier said. “The true cost of a purchase is not limited to the amount on the invoice.”
Unifor's Broader Advocacy
Unifor believes that local procurement policies should become a cornerstone of Canada’s economic strategy to protect jobs, support communities, and strengthen economic resilience amid international trade disruptions. The union has been advocating for actions to safeguard jobs, build a more resilient economy, and defend Canadian sovereignty.
Unifor is Canada and Quebec’s largest private-sector union, representing 320,000 workers across all major economic sectors. In Quebec, Unifor has nearly 55,000 members and is affiliated with the Fédération des travailleuses et travailleurs du Québec (FTQ). The union champions workers' rights, equality, social justice, and progressive change for a better future.
