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CBC
3 minutes ago
- CBC
NextStar Energy workers ratify their 1st collective agreement
Workers at Canada's first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery cell manufacturing facility have voted in favour of their first collective agreement. In a news release issued Sunday afternoon, Unifor said its members at NextStar Energy have voted 88 per cent in favour of ratifying their first collective agreement, "marking a historic milestone for workers" at the southwestern Ontario plant. "Bargaining a first collective agreement is never easy, and this one took place in an exceptionally difficult economic and political climate," Unifor national president Lana Payne said in the news release. "The work of our bargaining committee at NextStar Energy ensures that as the electric vehicle sector grows, good union jobs grow with it." The one-year agreement includes a five per cent wage increase and gains on wages, wage progression, pensions, short- and long-term disability programs, and workplace health and safety. It also certifies Unifor and Local 444 as the exclusive bargaining agent for employees at the Windsor facility. "By ratifying this collective agreement, our members have secured a voice at work and a seat at the table as this industry takes shape in Canada. We're ready to build the future — together," Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart said in a news release. Unifor said the agreement's one-year term positions workers at NextStar Energy to return to the bargaining table in 2026, aligning closely with the next round of Unifor negotiations with Detroit Three automakers.
CTV News
32 minutes ago
- CTV News
Sudbury's Valley East twin-pad arena gets $10M in provincial funding
The Minister of Sport announced $10 million for a state-of-the-art facility in Valley East featuring two NHL-sized accessible rinks and a multipurpose gymnasium The Ontario government is providing $12.6 million in funding to upgrade recreation facilities across northeastern Ontario, with the largest share – $10 million – going toward Greater Sudbury's long-awaited Valley East Twin-Pad Multipurpose Sports Complex. Neil Lumsden Ontario Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden announced $12.6 million in funding to upgrade recreation facilities across northeastern Ontario while in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 18, 2025. (Neil Lumsden/X) Provincial funding supports arena upgrades, economic growth The funding, announced Friday by Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden and Minister of Northern Economic Development George Pirie, is part of the province's $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund. The Greater Sudbury project, estimated at nearly $50 million, will feature two NHL-sized accessible rinks, a multipurpose gymnasium, daycare facilities, a café and administrative offices, positioning it as a community hub and potential event venue. 'The Twin Pads we have been talking about for over a decade now, but the city has always said we would only advance it if we had other levels of government funding,' said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre. 'The province of Ontario established a $200 million fund for the whole province – we received 5% of that fund for Sudbury alone. That is the $10 million, which is really a recognition, I believe, by the province of the importance of Sudbury to the overall economy of Ontario.' Sport as an economic and social driver Minister Lumsden emphasized the broader impact of recreational investments, particularly in northern communities. 'I feel real strong that sport does so much more than just having people running around a field – it makes a big difference in communities,' he said. 'Especially on the sport tourism side, which drives revenue back into a community for weekends at a time. People don't always think about that, but it's important to all the businesses here.' Funding announcement - Sudbury - July 18 The Ontario government is providing $12.6 million in funding to upgrade recreation facilities across northeastern Ontario – including $10 million going toward Greater Sudbury's Valley East Twin-Pad Multipurpose Sports Complex. Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg, Ontario Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden and Minister of Northern Economic Development George Pirie are shown at the announcement in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 18, 2025. (Neil Lumsden/X) The province framed the funding as part of its strategy to counter rising costs while promoting active living and economic resilience. 'At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support organizations focused on delivering better services,' Lumsden said in a news release on July 18. Smaller communities benefitting from repairs, upgrades Beyond Sudbury, the new sports infrastructure funding allocations include: $1 million to replace the aging refrigeration system at Espanola Arena with an energy-efficient CO₂ system. to replace the aging refrigeration system at with an energy-efficient CO₂ system. $614,600 for critical repairs at Kashechewan Arena , including roof replacement and safety upgrades. for critical repairs at , including roof replacement and safety upgrades. $585,250 for renovations at Markstay-Warren's Multiplex to expand programming like pickleball and Zumba. for renovations at to expand programming like pickleball and Zumba. $484,100 to replace the roof at Temiskaming Shores' Don Shepherdson Memorial Arena. Philip Goodwin, the executive director of Kashechewan First Nation, highlighted the significance of the funding for his remote community. 'In a fly-in access community, having an operational arena is critical to bring people together through hockey tournaments, cultural events, and community gatherings,' he said. 'These much-needed repairs mean our children, youth, families, and the wider community will continue to have a safe and welcoming space.' Northern priorities and long-term vision Minister Pirie tied the investments to broader regional development goals. 'By investing in important community spaces, our government is helping to ensure our northern communities have the resources to support their health and well-being now and in the future,' he said. Funding announcement - Sudbury - July 18 Ontario Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden, alongside Minister of Northern Economic Development George Pirie and Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg announced $12.6 million in funding to upgrade recreation facilities across northeastern Ontario while in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 18, 2025. (Neil Lumsden/X) Bill Rosenberg, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, echoed the sentiment, framing sports infrastructure as a tool for social cohesion. 'Investing in community sports isn't just about physical activity; it's about cultivating connection, inclusivity, and pride across generations,' he said. Next steps for Sudbury's twin-pad With provincial funding secured, Sudbury's twin-pad complex is expected to move forward after years of delays. The city will now focus on finalizing design and construction timelines, with the goal of creating a facility that serves both athletes and families. The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund program remains open to applications from municipalities, Indigenous communities, and nonprofits seeking support for repairs or new builds. Ontario's total infrastructure spending under the fund is part of a larger $200 billion provincial commitment to highways, hospitals, and other critical projects. With files from journalist Alana Everson
CBC
33 minutes ago
- CBC
U.S. commerce secretary dismisses question that free trade with Canada is dead
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is dismissing the question of whether U.S. free trade with Canada is dead, calling the notion "silly" and saying a substantial amount of Canadian goods enter the U.S. tariff-free under the current North American free trade deal. "We have a plan called [the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement], virtually 75 per cent of all goods coming from Mexico and Canada are already coming tariff-free," Lutnick said in an interview on Face the Nation that aired Sunday morning on CBS. But in the same breath, Lutnick suggested tariffs on Canada are here to stay, for now. "The president understands that we need to open the markets. Canada is not open to us. They need to open their market. Unless they're willing to open their market, they're going to pay a tariff," he added. The commerce secretary's comments come days after Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in French there's "not a lot of evidence right now" that the U.S. is willing to cut a deal with Canada without some tariffs included. WATCH | Carney says 'not a lot of evidence' for tariff-free deal: Carney says 'not a lot of evidence' for tariff-free deals with U.S. 5 days ago But the prime minister also said on Tuesday that Canada has "almost free trade" with the U.S. — a reference to tariff exemptions granted to Canadian goods that are compliant with USMCA, known as the Agreement (CUSMA) among Canadians. According to an RBC report released last month, approximately 79 per cent of U.S. imports from Canada were "explicitly duty free" in January 2025. That figure rose to approximately 89 per cent in April. "Why should we have our country be wide open while theirs is closed? This is an 80-year wrong that President Trump is trying to fix, and our businesses are going to really, really enjoy it," Lutnick told host Margaret Brennan. CUSMA negotiations looming Lutnick also told Brennan that Trump "is absolutely going to renegotiate [CUSMA], but that's a year from today." "It makes perfect sense for the president to renegotiate it. He wants to protect American jobs. He doesn't want cars built in Canada or Mexico when they could be built in Michigan or Ohio. It's just better for American workers," he added. CUSMA is not officially up for renegotiation until 2026, but some Canadian business leaders and others have called on the federal government to kick-start talks for the sake of economic stability. There are also lingering questions over whether negotiations will yield another trilateral trade pact. Last November, Ontario Premier Doug Ford pitched ditching Mexico and signing a bilateral deal with the United States — a move Alberta Premier Danielle Smith agreed was worth exploring. That suggestion sent a chill through Canada-Mexico relations, but Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appear to be closing the gap. The two leaders met with each other in June during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., and "looked forward to meeting again in Mexico in the coming months," according to a news release published on the prime minister's website. Canada-U.S. trade talks continue Carney and his negotiating team continue to work toward a deal with Trump in hopes of avoiding the U.S. president's latest threat — a 35 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods. The U.S. president made the threat in a letter he posted on social media that was addressed to the prime minister. He said the tariffs would come into effect on Aug. 1 and that the United States would increase levies if Canada retaliates. Lutnick said the White House will cut better deals with large countries that open their economies "to ranchers, fishermen, farmers and businesses," but if they keep tariff barriers in place then "it seems fair" to impose levies. WATCH | Trump threatens 35 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods: Trump threatens 35% tariff on all Canadian goods | Hanomansing Tonight 10 days ago In his letter, Trump cited fentanyl "pouring" into the U.S. from Canada as the reason for his latest tariff threat, even though data continues to show minimal amounts of the drug are crossing the Canada-U.S. border compared to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump also took a shot at Canada's supply management system, a long-standing irritant that he claims leads to Canada imposing tariffs as high as 400 per cent on American dairy products. High Canadian tariffs only apply if the agreed tariff-rate quotas on U.S. dairy imports under USMCA are reached or exceeded. The U.S.-based International Dairy Association , but also claims it's because of "protectionist measures" from Canada that limit exports.
