Standing up for Canadian workers as trade tensions grow
Toronto – August 24, 2026 – As Canada’s trade relationship with the United States enters a new period of uncertainty, UFCW Canada is standing up for the workers who keep Canada’s food system moving and for UFCW members working on both sides of the border.
“As trade tensions continue, we must make sure that workers and their families are not the ones paying the price,” says UFCW Canada National President Barry Sawyer. “Trade policies should protect good union jobs, strengthen Canada’s economy, and support the workers who keep our food system and communities moving. Supporting union jobs and Canadian-made products is one way we can build a stronger, more resilient Canada.”
The latest escalation in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute raises important questions about what comes next for Canadian workers and families. New tariffs and the threat of further measures could put pressure on Canadian producers, manufacturers, retailers, and supply chains, while potentially driving up the cost of everyday necessities.
UFCW is an international union with members across Canada and the United States, meaning the impact of trade tensions is felt by workers on both sides of the border. UFCW members across North America are connected through shared industries, supply chains, workplaces, and communities, particularly in food production, processing, retail, agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing.
“The unique trade partnership between the U.S. and Canada has benefited our nations for decades, particularly in the distillery and meatpacking industries where the UFCW represents thousands of workers on either side of the U.S.-Canada relationship,” says UFCW International President Milton Jones. “These industries are only as strong as the workers who power them, and for workers to have security, they need stable, cooperative trade policies.”
“Our two nations must continue to work hand in hand to produce the goods that keep families fed, workers employed, and markets healthy on both sides of the border,” President Jones adds.
There are important issues to watch in the months ahead. Tariffs affecting food and agricultural products could create challenges for Canadian farmers, processors, and workers. Disruptions to supply chains could affect the availability and price of products on store shelves. If businesses face higher costs or reduced access to markets, workers could also be at risk of layoffs, reduced hours, or downward pressure on wages and working conditions.
Canada must respond by investing in domestic industries, strengthening supply chains, supporting Canadian production, and ensuring workers have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
