As General Motors in Oshawa cuts shifts and lays off workers, a Durham MP is criticizing Prime Minister Mark Carney for failing to appoint a dedicated labour minister to manage negotiations with unions.
Conservative MP-elect Jamil Jivani took to X on Wednesday, echoing union leaders’ concerns over Carney’s decision to delegate the Labour portfolio to a junior cabinet position.
“Prime Minister Carney has excluded a Minister of Labour from federal cabinet at a time when GM job cuts pose a serious challenge to Durham Region’s economy,” Jivani said. “I am calling on the federal government to take action now to work with labour unions, businesses and industry leaders.”
Carney appointed Patty Hajdu as Minister for Jobs and Families, a role that may absorb some responsibilities traditionally held by a Labour Minister. However, neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor Hajdu responded to True North’s requests for comment.
Joseph Mancinelli, Vice President and Canadian Director of the Labourers’ International Union of North America—a public sector union representing over 70,000 construction, waste management, and healthcare workers—called the move by Carney “a slap in the face.”
“If the Canadian government wants respect from labourers, perhaps let’s start with a Minister of Labour in Cabinet,” Mancinelli said in a post on X. “Respect is earned. This is a slap in the face to our members who show up day in and day out to build and strengthen Canada.”
Jivani said that with ongoing layoffs, strike actions, and threats posed by U.S. tariffs, it is “no surprise” Canadians are concerned by Carney’s decision.
“Prime Minister Carney must do more than pay lip service to the concerns of Durham Region’s labour unions, businesses, and industry leaders,” Jivani said. “A conversation with Unifor Local 222, for example, would provide significant insights into the actions that the federal government can take to help families thrive in our communities.”
Jivani further called on the federal government to appoint a dedicated Minister of Labour to work directly with unions, businesses, and industry leaders in Durham and across the country.
He urged the government to explore ways its policies could help maintain GM Oshawa production for the Canadian domestic market, including support for a fully Canadian automotive supply chain.
Jivani also suggested the Liberals adopt Conservative policy proposals aimed at incentivizing the purchase of Canadian-made vehicles, such as tax cuts on Canadian auto purchases and “made-in-Canada” procurement strategies. He additionally called for an extension of employment insurance and new investments in retraining programs to empower laid-off workers with transferable skills.
This decision comes as another Canada Post strike could be imminent.
Canada Post announced Tuesday negotiations between it and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers was on temporary pause, as the latest days of discussions between the crown corporation and the union had gone on “without meaningful purpose.”
The postal service warned that the breakdown in negotiations could lead to further labour disruptions without a resolution.