TORONTO– The U.S. Supreme Court ruling to strike down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) represents a legal rebuke of presidential overreach but does nothing to resolve the ongoing trade crisis threatening Canadian jobs and key industrial sectors.

“This ruling exposes how abusive and legally flawed the IEEPA tariffs were, but Canadian workers should not mistake this for a victory,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The risk to Canadian jobs remains severe, with the potential to even increase if Trump looks for new ways to impose tariffs or target Canadian jobs and investment.”

While the Court confirmed that IEEPA does not grant President Trump authority to impose sweeping ‘economic emergency” tariffs, the ruling does not end the U.S. trade war against Canada with industry-targeted Section 232 tariffs and other punishing measures still in place.

Although the Supreme Court decision removes specific IEEPA tariffs, U.S. officials have already signalled their intent to reinstate or replace them using alternative legal authorities.

“The most damaging tariffs Canada faces were never IEEPA tariffs in the first place, because the Trump Administration chose to exempt goods that comply with our trade agreement,” said Payne. “However, so-called ‘national security’ tariffs under Section 232, targeting auto, steel, aluminum, and wood products remain fully in force and could be expanded at any time.”

The decision also has no impact on long-running anti-dumping duties, including the softwood lumber dispute, which continues to punish Canadian workers and communities.

“Protecting workers means developing and implementing strategic industrial policy and investments.” Payne added.

Unifor has advocated for actions to protect jobs, build a more resilient economy, and defend Canadian sovereignty. Find information on the union’s asks here.

Unifor local presidents from across the Greater Toronto Area gathered on Feb. 24 at the union’s National office, where they heard updates from national departments and exchanged ideas about the issues shaping their members’ workplaces.

“I just want to say thank you very much to all of our leadership, who are showing up every single day for our members, doing the hard work,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Even in dark times, it’s the union that fights to let the light in. We stand up. We push back. We never stop.”

Payne spoke about the U.S. tariff threats and the negative impact on members and Canadians, asking for continued solidarity and resistance during this era of uncertainty. Applauding the recent historic telco contract win at Bell Clerical, Payne also offered nuggets of wisdom when it comes to bargaining strategies.

“Our strength at the bargaining table comes from the members. Unity is what turns proposals into progress,” she said.

“Preparation, discipline, and solidarity — that’s how you push back against concessions and win better contracts.”

Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi framed her remarks around the broader economic and industrial pressures affecting sectors including manufacturing, auto and forestry, while expressing confidence in frontline local union leadership.

“In every period of instability, it is local union leaders who anchor our members. Your leadership is what turns uncertainty into collective strength,” she said.

“Even in challenging economic conditions, our union is strongest when we fight together.”

Unifor Toronto Area Director Nena Bogdanovich said the meeting provided space for local leaders to connect and share perspectives.

“Everyone always finds something to add to the conversation,” she said.

“There are a lot of times I get emails or feedback talking about opportunities for locals to come together. These are the kinds of forums where you can do some of that networking and have those conversations.”

Local presidents representing 31 locals also received updates from Unifor departments.

Equity and Racial Justice Director Tricia Wilson highlighted the upcoming Black History Month event, while the Health and Safety and Pensions departments outlined available resources.

Unifor Women’s Director Tracey Ramsey spoke about the continued growth of the Women’s Advocate Program and ongoing political priorities, including affordable childcare and research into sexual harassment.

Strike and Defence Director Erin Harrison, who also oversees Retired Workers, joined via Zoom from Windsor’s Titan Tool and Die picket line, where Unifor members have been locked out since Aug. 11, 2025. She said while Titan is the only current labour dispute in Unifor, the union is ready to act should additional members need picket line support this year.

Unifor’s Member Mobilization and Political Action department shared updates on lobbying efforts focused on protecting Canadian jobs and advancing Unifor’s worker-first economic vision.

The meeting wrapped up with Unifor Researcher Graham Cox delivering a presentation on the economics of automation and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on workers.

 

Hundreds of members gathered at the Unifor Local 1285 hall on February 19 to hear an update on the union’s push to reopen the idled Stellantis Brampton Assembly Plant.

Unifor Local 1285 President Vito Beato opened the meeting with a message of resolve, vowing to hold the company accountable.

Beato also detailed the union’s efforts at the municipal level, including lobbying the city to protect the future of the facility. He explained that the union has pushed for a motion at Brampton City Council to rezone the Assembly Plant property as an auto manufacturing zone.

“This has put us in this position right now to get the city on our side and to put the hammer down and zone that facility where we can only build cars,” added Beato.

Stellantis Brampton Assembly Plant Chairperson Ardis Snow thanked members for their solidarity and acknowledged the toll the idling has taken on workers and their families.

“This has been the absolute toughest times we’ve ever gone through in Brampton. Our members are struggling and we know that our members want and deserve to get back to work,” said Snow.

Jason Watson, Brampton Assembly Plant Skilled Trades Chairperson, outlined measures the union has secured to support members during the shutdown. These include income security protections, credited service recognition, and the continuation of health benefits through the 2026 negotiations.

“Our union has continued to act with purpose, with responsibility and with determination. Our commitment to defending our membership has never wavered,” said Watson.

“This is a difficult moment, but it is moments like this that leadership matters and in these moments, solidarity becomes our greatest strength. Corporations will always prioritize profit. They do not make decisions based on conscience or community. That is why we exist. This is why working people form unions. We are the balance. We are the voice. We are the moral compass. We will continue to fight with integrity and together we will see this through.”

Unifor National President Lana Payne then addressed the membership, outlining the union’s government advocacy efforts as Canada’s auto sector faces mounting pressure from ongoing U.S. trade and tariff threats.

Payne highlighted the union’s fight to ensure auto is not sacrificed in the pursuit of a trade deal, its call for a tariff remission framework that penalizes automakers for reducing their Canadian footprint, and the need for a federal auto policy based on the principle that if you sell here – you build here.

She warned that the challenges facing the industry are not accidental, but part of a broader pattern of economic pressure.

“We need to understand that the attack on our auto industry has been surgical, designed to do exactly what we’re seeing. This industry does not belong to Donald Trump or the United States or anybody else. It belongs to us, and we have to fight for it every single minute of every single day.”

Payne pointed out that tariffs do not excuse what happened in Brampton, arguing that Stellantis had other options.

“Since Stellantis announced its temporary pause in February last year, there hasn’t been a week when this local team, all of us together, haven’t demanded answers and clarity from the company,” Payne said. “We’re going to keep building cars in Brampton. Let’s keep fighting together, and let’s make sure that we are saving this industry for you and for your kids and for the next generation of workers, because they deserve to work in an auto industry in this country.”

Echoing that message of unity and resolve, Beato reinforced the union’s determination and confidence in its members.

“When you look at our history, we have a history of winning,” Beato told members. “I bet on us every single day of the week – us, the leadership and union membership – and twice on Sunday that we’ll get through this and build cars in Brampton.”