Autoworkers in Windsor had a front-row seat Wednesday as Liberal Leader Mark Carney visited the city, unveiling a $2-billion campaign promise aimed at supporting jobs and shoring up Canada’s auto sector.
With the Ambassador Bridge in the backdrop and a group of Unifor members in attendance, Carney raised concerns about potential fallout from proposed U.S. auto tariffs, expected to take effect next week.
“One of the things we’re learning is that on the other side of the bridge, they’re a little volatile,” Carney said.
“They’re a little up and down.”
The Strategic Response Fund, if implemented under a Liberal government, would be designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience, provide worker training and establish what Carney described as an “all-in-Canada” network for producing auto parts — reducing how often those parts cross the border during production.
“Parts go back and forth probably five, six, seven times before you get the finished product,” said retired Windsor autoworker Mike Sankoff, who attended the announcement.
“It’s going to be difficult. And price — vehicles are going to go up. A lot of people aren’t going to be able to afford them.”
Sankoff said he supported the general strategy but remained concerned about the broader effects the proposed tariffs could have on the Windsor area.
“I don’t know what this area would look like if the auto industry wasn’t here,” he said.
“It’s a scary thought.”
Unifor Local 444 Secretary Treasurer Manny Cardosa also expressed support for the proposal, pointing to previous federal investment in Windsor’s auto and EV sectors.
“If you go back 15 years ago, when the last American-made financial crisis happened, federal Conservatives put it on the back of autoworkers,” Cardosa said.
“It’s taken us 15 years to try to get those gains back.”
Carney said the proposed fund would “fortify the entire Canadian auto supply chain, from raw materials to finished vehicles.”
He also pledged that a Liberal government would prioritize domestic procurement.
“I’m committing that a new Liberal government will buy Canadian vehicles to grow our auto industry and create more good union jobs,” he said.
While much of Monday’s announcement focused on long-term goals, Cardosa noted that workers are already feeling the pressure.
“There haven’t been any cutbacks yet,” he said.
“I think the companies right now are working as much as they can to get some product across the border to avoid any tariffs… but sales are slow. People are scared.”
Carney’s Windsor stop comes as all major parties ramp up activity ahead of the April 2 tariff deadline.
While Windsor’s three ridings remain competitive, the region’s deep ties to the auto industry continue to draw national political attention.
The Liberal proposal is part of the party’s campaign platform and has not been enacted as government policy.
