The closure of a GM plant in Oshawa could jeopardize the entire Canadian auto industry: Dias

OTTAWA – Unifor President Jerry Dias said General Motors' plan to close its car plant in Oshawa, Ontario, put him on the verge of leaving Canada completely.

The leader of the largest private sector union in Canada represents about 2,500 factory workers that the automaker plans to close by the end of 2019.

After meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dias said GM has transferred production of five models of vehicles to Mexico and the United States in recent years. If the Oshawa plant will be closed, it will remain more than one.

Dias argues that if General Motors stopped making cars in Canada, it would devastate the parts industry and cause big problems for other automakers.

He says labor standards in Mexico are weak and Trudeau must work with President Donald Trump to prevent manufacturing jobs from migrating south.

According to Mr. Dias, the new agreement on NAFTA should help in the long run, but the elements that apply to the auto sector will not start for several years and it may be too late .