GM Cuts Hundreds of Jobs in Canada to Avoid Tariffs and Satisfy Trump | Carscoops

      Oshawa Assembly will reduce its operations by eliminating one shift and will concentrate on manufacturing trucks for Canadian consumers.

      General Motors has announced its decision to cut a shift at the Oshawa Assembly plant in Canada, which produces the Chevrolet Silverado, attributing this change to tariffs. The plant will now prioritize truck production for the Canadian market.

      GM continues to reduce automotive output in Canada, confirming that Oshawa Assembly will operate on just two shifts moving forward. The company cited "forecasted demand and the evolving trade environment" as reasons for this adjustment, referring indirectly to the trade tensions stemming from Trump’s policies. Consequently, the Oshawa facility will pivot to manufacturing “more trucks in Canada for Canadian customers,” indicating a decrease in the imports of Chevrolet Silverado trucks from Canada.

      Additionally, despite the reduction in shifts, GM expressed confidence in the future of Oshawa Assembly, stating it will produce "next-generation gas-powered trucks." The automaker noted its long-standing history in Canada, having been operational since 1918, with plans to continue for many more years.

      Unifor has reacted strongly against the decision. Lana Payne, the union’s national president, commented, “We will not permit GM to trade Canadian jobs for favor with Donald Trump. The elimination of the third shift at Oshawa Assembly is a thoughtless move that adversely affects our members and poses a threat to the entire auto parts supplier network.”

      She further asserted that “Trump’s tariffs aim to undermine Canadian production” and emphasized that “GM cannot simply abandon its commitments.” Payne warned that the “company has six months to resolve this issue” and highlighted that “job cuts now will have repercussions.”

      While Unifor did not specify the number of jobs affected, CBC News estimates around 700 employees may lose their positions this fall, though the company has committed to assisting workers during the transition.

      This announcement follows GM’s recent decision to halt production at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario, where BrightDrop delivery vans are manufactured. Workers are expected to return briefly in May, prior to the plant closing again for retooling, with production expected to resume at a single shift for the foreseeable future. Unifor indicated this could lead to “indefinite layoffs of nearly 500 workers.”