Today in Washington, DC, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and BC Premier David Eby co-chaired a roundtable on the growing tensions between the U.S. and Canadian federal governments attended by Canada’s Premiers and labor leaders across North America, including ATU Canada President John Di Nino. In a diplomatic effort, Canada’s Premiers are in the U.S. Capital for the Council of the Federation’s (COF) joint mission to meet with U.S. elected officials and discuss the critical issue of tariffs.
Hosted by the AFL-CIO, the roundtable underscored the crucial role the labor movement has played in defending workers across the U.S. and Canada, as well as the harm that tariffs can inflict on both American and Canadian workers. The group discussed how tariffs on Canada will raise costs for American businesses and increase prices for American consumers, jeopardizing jobs and making life less affordable for American workers. Tariffs also threaten to damage America’s most enduring and successful alliance at a time when our two countries should be strengthening our relationship.
As International President John Costa and Di Nino wrote in a joint statement last week, “The solidarity of workers transcends borders. We can’t let them divide us. Stay strong. Stay united. We are Stronger Together!”