NDP Leader Avi Lewis Cites 97 Per Cent Strike Mandate in Windsor

Federal NDP leader Avi Lewis addressed members of Unifor Local 444 in Windsor on Sunday, urging the government to protect industrial jobs and reduce household costs. Lewis spoke during a tour of southern Ontario that included previous stops in Hamilton and Brantford. He framed his message around the immediate needs of workers at Stellantis plants, which are facing production slowdowns and work stoppages.

Lewis highlighted the strong bargaining position of the union, noting that Unifor holds a roughly 97 per cent strike mandate. He stated that this mandate provides the leverage necessary to secure commitments regarding production in Windsor and the future of the Brampton Assembly Plant. The NDP leader affirmed full party support for the union, asserting that the current dispute can be resolved at the bargaining table.

The leader argued that the financial strain on Canadian families extends well beyond the current trade tensions with the United States. He described the situation as a cost of living crisis that long predates the trade war. To address these pressures, Lewis proposed a national rent freeze and public options for groceries, cellphone service, and internet. He suggested that the federal government should implement these measures to help families pay their bills while pursuing longer term economic projects.

Lewis criticized the current government’s approach to labor rights, specifically what he described as an attack on the right to strike in federally regulated sectors. He maintained that the government should support workers as they press the automaker for specific job and production guarantees. The NDP leader positioned his visit as a defense of collective bargaining rights against federal policy changes.

Regarding trade negotiations with the United States, Lewis said any agreement must provide lasting certainty for Canadians. He questioned whether a deal could withstand sudden changes in direction from U.S. President Donald Trump. Lewis argued that Canada needs measures it can pursue regardless of the outcome of formal talks. He defended keeping proposed export taxes on energy and critical minerals as negotiating tools, stating that an unpredictable response from Trump should not prevent Canada from considering its options.

Lewis cautioned against reaching a trade agreement that gives the U.S. president a political victory without reliable commitments for Canada, especially with U.S. midterm elections approaching. He also discussed the conditions for corporate subsidies, stating that public money must come with strong obligations. However, he argued that employment guarantees alone do not always prevent layoffs, citing Stelco in Hamilton. Lewis reiterated his call for the steelmaker to be brought into public ownership through a government purchase with compensation, rather than a seizure of the company.