Manufacturing Matters!
Manufacturing Matters to Canadians!
Canada's manufacturing sector is in crisis. Almost every week another Canadian plant shuts its doors, files for bankruptcy or announces its intention to move its operations out of the country. Good manufacturing jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate across the country and the Harper government has done nothing to stop this hemorrhaging. The clear message to Canadian workers is that the government simply does not care.
Following its meeting in December, the CAW Council adopted a resolution calling on our union to lead a campaign highlighting the ongoing loss of manufacturing jobs and its effect on our country's future. Part of the campaign involved a series of community forums headed up by our local union leadership and including our community allies.
The campaign has now shifted into it's second phase. Our union is calling on all levels of government to adopt Buy Canadian policies for all public purchases - one of the important policy tools to help protect manufacturing jobs and encourage regional economic development in Canada. Buying Canadian helps save good jobs and builds stronger communities.
The CAW is encouraging all municipal councils across the country to pass a resolution that establishes a Buy Canadian policy for all publicly funded purchases and encourages maximum Canadian content levels wherever possible - from transit vehicles and office supplies to clothing and food. Union members from all unions and community activists are encouraged to join in this effort.
It is incumbent on us all, as trade unionists and Canadians, to take up this fight for our families, our communities and for future generations.
Click below for campaign material. Click here to view Manufacturing Matters campaign photos.
Check out the "Buy Canadian" song by CAW member Kevin Wrycraft
- Buying Canadian & Building Communities - leaflet
- Buy Canadian - Build Communities Resolution
- CAW Response to TTC Report on Buy Canadian Purchasing Policy, January 2008
- CAW letter to Dalton McGuinty re: Made in Canada Requirements for Public Transit Purchases, January 30, 2008
- Manufacturing Jobs Fact Sheet - 2008
- Manufacturing Matters Campaign School Dates
- Campaign Report Back (Phase 2)
- Regional Manufacturing Facts
- Manufacturing Matters Campaign Kit - August 2007
- Rampaging Dollar Annihilating Jobs: Toronto Star Editorial - May 30, 2007
- There's Blood on Factory Floors: Where's Ottawa? by Jim Stanford
- Schedule of Community Forums & Events - May 2007
- Sample Municipal Resolution - Manufacturing Matters
- Rally for Jobs! May 30, 2007 - Poster
- Fighting for Canadian Jobs - Information Leaflet
Save the Federal Gun Registry! Say NO to Bill C-391
The CAW has joined with hundrds of thousands of Canadians aross this country calling on MPs to vote NO when Bill C-391 returns for third and final reading in Parliament in the coming month. Bill C-391 is a Conservative-lead private members bill intended to dismantle Canada's long gun registry - the existing government program that administers the registration of rifles and shotguns.
It's devastating that the Conservative government is trying to dismantle the national gun registry, with the help of members of the NDP and Liberal parties.
