'Uncertainty' the top concern from companies on Jagmeet Singh's Windsor visit

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says that "uncertainty" has been the concern he's heard most often during his conversations with members of the manufacturing industry in Windsor throughout the weekend.

Singh visited with the Canadian Association of Mold Makers Sunday afternoon at LAVAL International to discuss NAFTA negotiations and tariffs. ​LAVAL is a tool and mold company based in Windsor, Ont.

He explained the goal of his visit to Windsor was to better understand how exactly trade tariffs and changes to the free trade agreement could potentially negatively impact people in the region's manufacturing industry.

"Number one concern that I heard from a number of companies that were around the table is that the uncertainty is what is so troubling — the fact that people don't know what the rules of the game are right now," he said.

"That doesn't develop the right type of business climate for companies to succeed and for workers to be able to have that confidence that they'll have a job to continue to go to."

Throughout his visit to the region Singh has met with union leaders and workers in the industry.

"This is really the hub of manufacturing in Canada," he said.

"It's so important for us to ensure that we've got a plan in place, to make sure we can deliver a good deal, a good trade deal that ensures that people can continue to work, that this sector can continue to be vibrant."

'Workers are going to be impacted'

He added that he doesn't know many of the details around the NAFTA negotiations, but said that the potential fallout is quite serious. 

"Workers are going to be impacted. And for me, what I've always said is we've got to make sure we put workers — people — front and centre in all of these discussions. We can't lose fact that these are real people whose jobs are on the line. We've got to make sure that we protect them, we've got a plan in place, and we've got a commitment to ensure we can get the best deal possible."

He explained that this particular part of the country could be hit harder than others, particularly if U.S. President Donald Trump moves forward with his proposed 25 per cent tariffs on all imported vehicles. 

Next, Singh explained that his plan is to take what he's learned and try to push the government toward implementing strategies to help the industry.

'Manufacturing is not going anywhere'

Jonathon Azzopardi, the President and CEO of LAVAL International and the chairman of the Canadian Association of Mold Makers, said that his mission during his meeting with Singh was to help get the message to Ottawa that manufacturing is vital to the region and all of Canada.

"Jagmeet was actually very receptive. I'll be very honest with you, for a politician, he was very grassroots. And I really appreciate that."

In terms of the NAFTA negotiations, Azzopardi explained that he'd like to see the government put together a short-term plan and a long-term plan. Short-term, he suggested protectionism, quotas and possibly some trade assistance.

Long term, he explained that he'd like to see a strategy that supports the manufacturing sector.

"Manufacturing is not going anywhere. We are not closing up shop, rolling up the sidewalks and moving out just because times are tough. That's not how we operate."

'It feels a little like the wild wild west'

He said he looks forward to a trade agreement finally being put in place.

"Right now, it feels a little like the wild wild west, and that's not good. We need to get down to what it actually means to us, and how we're supposed to play by these new rules."

When it comes to the possible implementation of automotive tariffs, Azzopardi said that the fallout would be "devastating."

Despite the uncertainty, Azzopardi stressed they are working toward a plan.

"I know this all sounds very doom and gloom, but at the end of the day, we will come up with a plan and smarter people than I are working on this right now to try and come up with a solution"